Riverside Wrongful Death Attorney

Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyers in Riverside, California

When your loved one dies due to the negligence of another, you may obtain compensation and justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.  At Aitken * Aitken * Cohn, our Riverside wrongful death attorneys are compassionate and experienced in wrongful death claims.  We strive to take surviving family members’ financial burdens into consideration.

While no amount of money can make up for your loss, a successful wrongful death claim can provide you a sense of closure and the financial resources to begin moving forward.

Why Choose A Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyer From Us?

The success of our hardworking team of our team is a result of experience, a fierce passion for justice, and unwavering advocacy. Specifically, the Riverside wrongful death attorneys at Aitken*Aitken*Cohn provide:

• Attentive and considerate service
• Answers family members may have regarding their rights
• Access to experienced attorneys
• Regular communication and updates
• Substantial claims for maximum insurance and courtroom compensation

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury, contact us online or by phone at (866) 434-1424 to learn how we can help. We offer free initial, no-obligation consultations, and have offices conveniently located in Santa Ana, Riverside, and San Clemente.

What is Considered Wrongful Death in Riverside?

Typically, a loss of life is categorized as a wrongful death if someone else’s careless or reckless actions result in the death of another individual. Essentially, any death that comes about because someone else fails to uphold their societal obligation to keep others can be considered wrongful. If you have any questions about your case, contact our Riverside wrongful death attorneys to walk you through your claim.

How Our Riverside Wrongful Death Attorneys May be Able to Help

An experienced Riverside personal injury attorney’s focus is to relieve you and your family of as much of the burden as possible.  That’s why at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn, you to focus on you and your family’s health while we deal with the insurance companies.

The legal team at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn will help you by:

• Managing all communication with the insurance company
• Investigating the circumstances of your loved one’s death
• Collecting the evidence
• Identifying all potential sources of compensation
• Negotiating with insurance companies to obtain a proper wrongful death settlement
• Take your wrongful death case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay sufficient compensation.

Our dedicated wrongful death attorneys in Riverside will review and evaluate your potential claim at no charge to you.  Contact Aitken * Aitken * Cohn today and put our knowledge, experience, and resources to work for you. 

Who Can Make a Wrongful Death Claim in Riverside?

In California, a wrongful death claim arises when one person dies as the result of the wrongful act or negligence of another person or entity.  A wrongful death claim is a civil, not a criminal lawsuit.  If a wrongful death claim is successful, the court orders the wrongdoer to pay the survivor or personal representative of the deceased’s estate money damages.

A wrongful death lawsuit is allowed by the following:

• The deceased person’s surviving spouse
• The deceased person’s domestic partner
• The deceased person’s surviving children
• If there is no surviving person in the deceased person’s line of descent, then by anyone who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession;

The following people may also file a wrongful death lawsuit in California if they can show they were financially dependent on the deceased person:

• The deceased person’s “putative spouse” and children of the putative spouse;
• The deceased person’s stepchildren; and
• The deceased person’s parents.

Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims in Riverside

There are several types of wrongful death claims.  These claims fall under the categories of negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, or an intentional wrongful act and may include:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Brain injuries 
• Construction accidents
• Truck accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Drowning
• Assault and battery
• Murder or manslaughter
• Abuse or neglect

This is not an exhaustive list.  However, if you or a loved one was involved in a car accident that resulted in a death, reach out to our Riverside car accident lawyers for their take on your case.

What Kinds of Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Wrongful death damages may include economic and non-economic losses.  Economic damages are damages on which a dollar amount can be placed and may consist of:

• The financial support the deceased would have contributed to the family during their lifetimes;
• The loss of gifts or benefits the heirs could have expected to receive from the deceased;
• Funeral and burial expenses; and
• The reasonable value of household services the deceased would have provided.

Non-economic damages are harder to value, and a jury can award an amount they find reasonable based on the evidence presented.  In California, non-economic damages attempt to compensate for the loss of the deceased’s:

• Society and companionship
• Protection
• Affection
• Moral support
• Training and guidance
• Sexual relations

Evidence Necessary To Prove Wrongful Death

Because you’re dealing with a loss of life, wrongful death cases aren’t always simple, especially when it comes to proving who is at fault. However, if you can prove that someone else’s negligence caused the death, you may have a case. Typically, the four elements of evidence necessary to prove fault include:

Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must demonstrate that they were owed a duty of care by the person at fault. In an incident such as a car accident, the duty of care would have been ignored by the defendant if they had been breaking the law or driving dangerously.

Negligence: If the defendant failed to do their duty and resulted in another’s death, the plaintiff must be able to prove that the other’s negligent actions directly resulted in another’s death. This was the case with the Coto de Caza wrongful death lawsuit.

Causation: In this instance, the plaintiff must be able to prove that it was actually the defendant whose actions led to the death, and not an outside force.

Damages: For those filing a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must also be able to prove that they suffered damages, which is usually obvious in a wrongful death case in which there was a loss of life.

Do You Need A Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyer?

The last thing that anyone needs after losing a loved one is to be swamped in legal documents and stressed about exterior factors. After a death, individuals need time and space to grieve, which is something most will not receive if they pursue a wrongful death claim on their own. By hiring a Riverside wrongful death lawyer, you will be able to focus on yourself, your family, and anyone else affected by the death, leaving all of the logistics and trivialities to us. In addition, a wrongful death attorney will also ensure that you are awarded the compensation that you deserve by leaving no rock unturned, which is not always a guarantee if you try to do it alone. They can also help you understand the California statute of limitations on wrongful death suits.

Contact Our Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyers Today

We know the approaches that work, what strategies are effective and how to prepare a strong legal case. If you or someone you love has been injured, the skilled attorneys at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn will carefully evaluate your case to make sure you recover the compensation you need now and in the future. Message us online or call (866) 434-1424 to get started with your free consultation. The wrongful death attorneys at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn can evaluate your claim and advise you regarding the compensation to which you may be entitled. Remember, there are time limits on filing a wrongful death lawsuit.