HAVE YOU LOST A
LOVED ONE?
WE CAN HELP!

Sam Salhab Esq.

Wrongful Death Attorney

The unexpected loss of a loved one is a devastating, life-changing event. The grief that comes with this loss can be overwhelming under any circumstances, but it is often especially troubling in cases where the death was possibly preventable.

In California, the law holds companies, people, and other entities accountable when their conduct results in death. It is possible that your family member or friend died because of another party’s negligent, willful, or wrongful behavior.

It’s important you contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer to discuss your legal rights today. At the Law offices of Sam Salhab, We care about our clients and strive to provide you with the justice and settlement you deserve.

The loss of a beloved family member can impact surviving relatives in many different ways. The grief that comes with such a loss is never easy, but a death in the family can also result in financial chaos. Dealing with your loved one’s final expenses is an unexpected challenge for most people. Anyone that relied financially on your lost family member could find themselves suddenly in dire financial straits.

Thankfully, every state provides for a legal action known as a wrongful death lawsuit. This civil lawsuit gives the surviving family the ability to seek compensation from the party that negligently caused the death of their loved one. If you believe your family is entitled to compensation, a wrongful death lawyer might be able to help. Call Law Offices of Sam Salhab at (559) 412-9888 for a free consultation as soon as possible.

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Common causes of wrongful death include:

Compensation for Economic Damages

When a family experiences the loss of someone they love, it is devastating. Not only do you have to grieve over the loss, but you must also figure out several aspects of life moving forward, including how to pay for the funeral and deal with lost income.

California law allows you and your family to pursue compensation if the death resulted from someone else’s negligence. One type of compensation you may recover is an economic loss. This compensation covers a wide range of death-related expenses, including:

MEDICAL EXPENSES

If your loved one had to go through medical treatment before he or she passed away, there might be hospital expenses to consider. Economic damages can help you recover for any procedures and the hospital stay from the date of the injury until the time of death.

FUNERAL AND BURIAL COSTS

A funeral can cost significant amounts of money. You must pay for the plot, the coffin, the services, and more. These fees can extend to the range of thousands of dollars. They are also unexpected, meaning you more than likely don’t have the funds to cover the costs on your own. Taking legal action for economic losses can help cover these expenses.

LOSS OF INCOME

For your family, few things become more challenging than having to cover for lost wages due to the death of your loved one. If your loved one was a primary provider for your family, death causes significant struggles, including paying bills and affording the cost of living.

Compensation for Non-Economic Damages

You may encounter significant problems regarding your financial losses following the death of a loved one. However, these losses don’t compare to your mental anguish. Nor do they account for the pain and suffering you endure after a wrongful death.

The statutes in Missouri allow for you and your family to sue the negligent party in pursuit of non-economic losses. These losses are not quantifiable and don’t have a numerical value associated with them. Instead, they factor in your emotional loss and hardship.

The courts in California may award your family compensation for:

Loss of guidance
Loss of love and companionship
Loss of services
Loss of training
Loss of support
Loss of counsel
Loss of instruction

The courts will look at the parties involved in the lawsuit to determine which non-economic losses apply. When you are a surviving spouse filing a wrongful death lawsuit, many of the above apply. The jury may award a significant sum for the non-economic damages.

What to Expect When Filing a Claim

In a wrongful death case, you would start by filing a claim against the responsible party. Depending on the circumstances leading to the death, your claim may be filed against the negligent party's insurance provider. From there, the insurance may deny the claim.

If the insurance company denies the claim, you can file a lawsuit with the help of a lawyer. After you file the lawsuit, the defendant may try to file a motion to dismiss. The judge can accept or deny the motion. If the judge allows the case, you go through discovery.

Discovery gives your attorney the chance to present evidence showing that the defendant was negligent. Most cases settle at this point if you’re able to show compelling evidence. However, if you don’t agree with the settlement offer, you can take the case to trial.

Call Now to Get Started on Your Case

If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim in California, you should understand the process and how the law applies to your case. We handle all wrongful death claims on a contingency basis. We cover all costs of investigating and developing your case for trial. If you don’t receive money for your wrongful death claim, you won’t pay any attorney’s fees.