Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer

The wrongful death lawyers in Fresno want to give you the tools you need to hold a negligent party accountable for your loved one’s unexpected passing. If you don’t feel up to getting the compensation you deserve on your own, our team can step in and make sure that you have every opportunity to get the damages you are owed.

Setareh Law’s efforts can help you get comprehensive compensation from a liable party. That compensation can subsequently cover a loved one’s funeral expenses and other postmortem costs. With our wrongful death attorney on your side, you can fight for that fair compensation without compromising your right to privacy and personal grief. 

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death claims arise when an individual’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another party. This could involve a car accident, medical malpractice, workplace accident, or even criminal actions. The legal grounds for these claims vary by jurisdiction, but generally, they require proving the death was directly caused by the defendant’s actions and surviving family members have suffered quantifiable damages as a result.

Certain family members are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Typically, this includes spouses, children, and sometimes parents of the deceased. The purpose of the claim is to compensate the survivors for their loss, which can include lost income, medical and funeral expenses, and emotional suffering. Each state has its own rules about who can file a wrongful death claim and the types of damages that can be recovered.

Proving negligence or wrongful action in these cases often requires a thorough investigation and collection of evidence. This might include medical records, accident reports, witness testimonies, and expert analysis. A skilled wrongful death lawyer can effectively gather and present this evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

The Role of a Wrongful Death Attorney

A Fresno wrongful death lawyer plays a crucial role in helping families navigate the legal landscape following a tragic loss. Their responsibilities include investigating the circumstances of the death, identifying liable parties, and pursuing legal action to secure compensation for the survivors. They bring experience in handling complex legal issues and negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel.

One of the primary tasks of a wrongful death attorney is to determine the full extent of the family’s damages. This involves not only calculating immediate expenses like medical bills and funeral costs but also considering long-term financial impacts such as lost future earnings and benefits. Additionally, they assess non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which, although more challenging to quantify, are crucial for providing justice and relief to the grieving family.

Wrongful death lawyers also handle all the legal paperwork and procedural requirements, ensuring claims are filed within the statute of limitations, and all necessary documentation is accurately completed. This meticulous attention to detail is vital in preventing claims from being delayed or dismissed. By managing these aspects, wrongful death attorneys allow families to focus on their emotional recovery while pursuing the legal justice they deserve.

Navigating the Legal Process

The legal process for wrongful death claims involves several steps, starting with an investigation. This phase is critical for gathering all pertinent facts and evidence to support the claim. Wrongful death lawyers work with investigators, medical experts, and other professionals to reconstruct events and establish liability. This comprehensive approach ensures all potential sources of evidence are explored.

Following the investigation, the next step is often negotiating a settlement with the liable parties or their insurance companies. Many wrongful death cases are resolved through settlements, where the defendant agrees to compensate the plaintiffs without going to trial. This can expedite the resolution and provide faster financial relief to the grieving family. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to trial.

During a trial, both sides present their evidence and arguments before a judge or jury. The wrongful death attorney plays a vital role in advocating for the family, presenting compelling evidence, and cross-examining witnesses to establish the defendant’s liability. The outcome of the trial determines whether and how much compensation the family will receive. Throughout this process, a Fresno wrongful death lawyer provides guidance and support, helping the family navigate the emotional and legal complexities.

How to Recover From a Loved One’s Wrongful Death

While no manner of money nor community can replace the hole that’s left in your life by a loved one’s unexpected passing, the damages you are owed can help you start to rebuild your life following their death. This process can be painful, but it can help you get back on your feet again.

How, though, can you begin to recover from a loved one’s death on both an emotional and economic front? When in doubt, know that you have a community of people prepared to help you, including the wrongful death attorneys in Fresno at Setareh Law. We can guide you through some basic steps that can direct your life back toward normalcy. These steps can include the following:

Seek Help While Going Over Post-Death Care

It’s all too easy for some parties to self-isolate when faced with the grief of a loved one’s wrongful death. Unfortunately, those tendencies tend to do more harm than good. Remember that you have a support system of people, both family and professionals, who are willing to help you navigate through post-death care.

This means that you can turn to other parties for help arranging a funeral, managing your loved one’s estate, and exploring your legal options. You can even reach out to a wrongful death lawyer for support in filing relevant insurance claims should you have the right to demand support from a provider. 

Discuss the Value of Going to Civil Court

While the wrongful death attorneys in Fresno can make the civil process as accessible as possible, there are parts of the process that may prove emotionally challenging. This is particularly true when you’re contending with the grief of a loved one’s passing.

You can meet with our wrongful death lawyers ahead of time to discuss the value of going to civil court. The emotional cost of meeting with a liable party and outlining the nature of your loved one’s death may prove worth the economic support you have the opportunity to receive. 

Be aware, however, that California only allows certain parties to take legal action on behalf of the state’s deceased. You must prove that you have the immediate right to act on behalf of the deceased by indicating that you are the party’s spouse, domestic partner, child, or grandchild.

If none of these parties find themselves available to take legal action on behalf of the deceased, don’t worry. You may still have the right to act. California statutes allow parties that might otherwise inherit from the deceased to take legal action on the deceased’s behalf under the umbrella of intestate succession.

Setareh Law Wants to Help You Get Your Life Back on Track

Our team understands how devastating a loved one’s unexpected and wrongful death can be. We know that you may not want to meet with a party liable for your loved one’s passing or that you may not feel emotionally prepared to go to civil court. That’s why our team offers to represent your best interests while you prioritize your grief.

You can work with us to determine what services you want to benefit from as you pursue compensation for your loved one’s losses. We can then spearhead an investigation into your loved one’s accident and bring forward evidence elaborating on the liable parties violated duty of care. Our efforts can help you secure the competition you need to recover. Contact us online or call us at (559) 354-1046 to book a wrongful death case evaluation with our Fresno personal injury lawyer.