If you’ve recently suffered the unexpected death of a family member in an accident in Fresno, California, contact a Fresno wrongful death lawyer at (559) 485-1212 now! You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a tragic accident on your own. Trust the award-winning Carter Law Group to help you every step of the way.
While money won’t turn back time or bring your loved one back to you, it can give you closure and help to offset the financial complications of their death. Our experienced Fresno wrongful death attorneys can help you take a stand and demand the financial justice you deserve in the wake of a tragic loss.
Carter Law Group’s legal team has more than 25 years of experience behind every client’s fight for compensation. As a tireless advocate for the good people we represent, we’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlement and jury verdicts. Your first consultation is free, so contact our Fresno law office to get started today.
How the Carter Law Group Helps Families After Fatal Accidents in Fresno, CA
Even though your family may have the right to assert a legal claim against a negligent motorist, a manufacturer, a hospital, or an insurance company after the death of a loved one, the road to recovery won’t always be easy. In fact, you should expect the defense to do everything in its power to stand between you and the compensation your family deserves.
Set the stage for success by choosing our personal injury lawyers in Fresno to be your advocate.
At the Carter Law Group, we’re recognized as a leader in personal injury litigation. Our unwavering support of our client’s best interests has helped us win millions, including one of the top personal injury verdicts in the state of California in 2021.
You’ll have the opportunity you need to grieve your loss while our Fresno personal injury attorneys handle the rest:
- Promptly investigate your loved one’s death to understand the underlying cause and pinpoint liability
- Evaluate important pieces of evidence, which might include medical records, accident reports, photographs, video footage, and witness statements
- Consult experts in fields relevant to your case to help us assess your damages and calculate what your wrongful death claim is worth
- Prepare and file your claim with the insurance company and/or local court clerk in Fresno County
- Anticipate and deal with any attempts to blame your loved one for their fatal accident or injuries
- Represent your family during settlement negotiations and work to obtain a substantial monetary award on your behalf
- Fight your wrongful death lawsuit at trial if the defense won’t take responsibility for your devastating loss
Don’t worry about the cost of hiring a Fresno wrongful death attorney when you call us. We advocate for families on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Ready to learn more? Call our Fresno, CA, law office today to set a time for a free, no-obligation case assessment.
How Is Wrongful Death Defined in California?
The state of California defines wrongful death in the Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 as the “death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”
Simply put, a wrongful death is one that could have been avoided but for another party’s negligent, intentional, or criminal actions.
At the Carter Law Group, we represent families in wrongful death cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Matters of premises liability
- Matters of product liability
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injury
- Nursing home abuse
- Assault
- Sexual assault
If you suspect that your loved one’s death could have been avoided, contact our wrongful death attorneys in Fresno to discuss your rights and options. You may be able to benefit from a wrongful death claim. Our legal team is here to help you make the most of this incredibly difficult situation.
Who Has the Right to Bring a Wrongful Death Action in Fresno?
In California, a wrongful death lawsuit can be initiated by certain surviving family members and/or the personal representative of the decedent’s estate.
This includes the victim’s:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Children
- Stepchildren
- Parent(s)
- Legal guardian(s)
Additionally, minors who depended on the victim for at least half of their financial support or individuals who would be entitled to the victim’s property under California’s intestacy laws may also reserve the right to bring a wrongful death claim.
Personal representatives are named in the victim’s will or appointed by the court. Most often, the representative is a close family member, family friend, or a personal injury attorney in Fresno.
Can Shared Fault Affect a Wrongful Death Settlement?
Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence statute will apply to all personal injury claims, including matters of wrongful death.
Simply put, if the accident victim shared responsibility for their fatal injuries, their shared fault will affect any related claims for damages. The more fault a victim is assigned, the less a family will be able to recover through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Let’s say your spouse was recently killed in a rollover car accident in Fresno. Your wrongful death lawsuit is valued at $2.4 million. However, an investigation reveals that your spouse was speeding at the time of the fatal crash.
As a result, they’re assigned 50 percent of the blame for the wreck. In turn, your maximum financial recovery is reduced to $1.2 million – half of its initial value.
Our wrongful death attorney in Fresno will be prepared to handle claims of contributory negligence. Your loved one might not be around to defend themselves, but we will be. You’ll be able to count on us to fight to preserve their good name and help you maximize your recovery.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Families in Fresno Wrongful Death Cases?
Wrongful death cases are intended to help an accident victim’s family members cope with the trauma, stresses, and costs of a fatal accident. As a result, the types of damages that can be awarded in a wrongful death claim are different than the damages that are traditionally awarded in other types of personal injury cases.
Unlike other states, California allows plaintiffs in wrongful death actions to seek both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages help to offset the financial costs of a fatal accident and family member’s untimely death, such as:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills incurred up to the date of a victim’s death
- The present value of any wages, income, benefits, and other financial losses
- The value of household services provided by the victim, such as in the case of a stay-at-home parent
- The loss of gifts or inheritances
Non-economic damages are intended to help family members cope with consequences of death that are much more difficult to value, such as loss of:
- Protection
- Society and companionship
- Consortium
- Moral support
- Training and guidance
- Affection
Damages can also be awarded to compensate for the victim’s disfigurement or pain and suffering.
In situations where a death was the result of a crime or an intentional act of violence, punitive damages can also be awarded. However, punitive damages can only ever be awarded by a jury.
It can be difficult to assess what the damages in a wrongful death case are worth. Many factors will come into play – including the victim’s age, occupation, earning capacity, opportunities for growth at work, and the relationship they shared with the plaintiffs.
Our Fresno wrongful death attorney will carefully assess your family’s damages with experts and specialists. We’ll dig deep to understand and convey just how much of an impact your loved one’s death has had on your life – financially and personally. When it’s time to negotiate, we won’t rest until you’ve been properly compensated for your life-changing loss.
Is There a Time Limit For Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
Yes, a two-year statute of limitations applies to wrongful death lawsuits in the state of California.
The clock begins to run on the date of a victim’s death. Depending on the circumstances of the injury, this could be after the date of the accident.
You must file your wrongful death claim before time runs out. Once the filing deadline passes, you will lose the right to seek compensation from a negligent party or their insurer.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer
Call the Carter Law Group for help if you’ve experienced the tragic and avoidable death of a family member in Fresno, CA. You have rights, and we’re the award-winning legal team you’ll want standing beside you as you exercise them.
Our Fresno wrongful death lawyer has 25+ years of experience advocating for injury victims and families. The results we achieve, which include millions in settlements and jury verdicts, speak volumes.
Let us fight for you and your family now, too. Call or visit our Fresno law office today to get started. There is no charge for your initial case evaluation.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fresno, CA
Carter Law Group
2445 Capitol St #105, Fresno, CA 93721, United States
(559) 485-1212
