Our attorneys seek justice for injury victims in the San Diego and Riverside areas.

Wrongful Death Of A Child In Southern California

The sudden loss of a child is an unparalleled tragedy that no parent ever expects. When that loss is caused by a preventable accident, the burden is that much greater. While nothing can fill the hole that is left in a parent’s heart or in a family unit when a child dies, pursuing a civil lawsuit can help alleviate the financial burden caused by the untimely death of a child and help prevent future harm by holding responsible parties accountable. At the law firm of Martinez & Schill LLP, we are dedicated to helping parents who have lost a child. Our San Diego wrongful death attorneys are experienced in handling accident cases involving motor vehicles, product liability, swimming pools, premise liability and more. We handle our cases with care and compassion while we aggressively pursue just compensation.

Recoverable Damages For The Wrongful Death Of A Child

When an adult is killed in an accident, one of the most significant recoverable damages in a successful wrongful death lawsuit is lost future wages. A careful calculation of future earning capacity is done based on past earning history and other relevant factors. Damages for future lost wages are only available in wrongful death cases involving a child if the child has a history of contributing financially to the family or the family can establish the likelihood of future contribution. For young children, this can be difficult to establish and accurately calculate. Consequently, these damages may not be available.

Parents can successfully sue for a host of other damages following the death of a child, however, including:

  • Medical bills incurred prior to the death of the child
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of the child’s companionship
  • Sorrow and grief of survivors from the loss

Wrongful Death Of An Adult Child

In some cases, parents of adult children can make wrongful death claims. Only next of kin can make a wrongful death claim. If the decedent was unmarried and had no children, you may be able to make a claim in the death of your adult child. It is possible to recover damages for your child’s lost financial contributions to you as well as your lost relationship with your child.

If you have lost a beloved child due to someone else’s negligence, contact us at 619-512-5995 or 951-290-3367 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options. One of our experienced attorneys will meet with you, discuss the circumstances of your case and offer recommendations for how to move forward with the legal process. We have offices in San Diego and Riverside, and we provide flexible consultation appointments to clients throughout Southern California. There is no cost for our counsel and legal services until we obtain the compensation you deserve.