Surviving family members often – very understandably – struggle with the emotional and financial consequences of an unexpected death. Sometimes, the California civil courts offer a measure of justice to those who have lost a loved one.
Pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit can potentially lead to financial compensation and closure for those left behind when someone dies. When a crime, negligence or other misconduct leads to someone dying. California state laws permit the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit. In this way, families can seek financial recovery from people or businesses that are directly to blame for their loved one’s death.
Costs related to the incident
Someone dying will likely lead to medical and funeral expenses. A wrongful death lawsuit in California can help families cover those major costs. Funerals and burials can be very expensive, especially if someone didn’t have a pre-purchased plot. The costs of care at the end of someone’s life could be tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars if they didn’t succumb to their injuries immediately.
Household contributions
People provide financial support for their loved ones via their wages and employment benefits, like health insurance coverage. They also provide unpaid labor around the house ranging from cooking and yard work to child care and repairs of key systems within the home when something breaks. Families typically have the option of seeking compensation for the economic contributions that a deceased family member would have made to the household if they had survived. Those costs can include the unpaid services someone provides around the family home.
The impact on surviving family members
There are a variety of non-economic benefits that people derive from their close relationships. California allows people to seek compensation for those non-economic losses when pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. The state recognizes claims related to the loss of companionship, love, care and moral support. If there is a surviving spouse, they can claim the loss of intimacy with their spouse. If there are surviving children, they can seek compensation for the loss of someone’s guidance.
Considering the long-term implications of someone’s death can make it easier to minimize the financial consequences of someone’s untimely passing and request the right compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.