A Reputation For Success

Taking On The Legal Heavy Lifting For You

One of the most difficult experiences in life is losing a loved one, especially under tragic circumstances. Not only are you and your family coming to terms with the devastating loss, all of you may be financially responsible for covering expenses related to the funeral, burial and medical bills before your loved one’s death. If the death was caused by negligence or recklessness, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of an experienced lawyer.

At Schimmel & Parks, APLC, we are prepared to help you and your family through this trying time. While we allow you to properly grieve over the loss of someone you love so dearly, our Southern California personal injury attorneys can do whatever it takes to ensure that the at-fault party is held liable.

Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim arises when one person dies due to the negligence or wrongful act of another party. Only certain individuals are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California.

The following parties of the deceased person’s estate may bring a wrongful death claim:

  • The deceased persons’ surviving spouse or domestic partner
  • The deceased person’s surviving children
  • The deceased person’s stepchildren, parents, as well as “putative spouse” and their children, if they can demonstrate they were financially dependent on the deceased person
  • Anyone who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession

Wrongful Death Damages

A wide variety of personal injury damages are available in a California. Damages are usually split based either compensation for losses affecting the estate or loved ones for the emotional trauma they sustained due to the death.

The following are losses that are often attributed to the estate:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Medical expenses for the deceased person’s final injury or illness
  • Lost income such as the potential, future earnings of the deceased person if he or she had lived

Damages family members may be entitled to include:

  • Loss of anticipated financial support
  • The value of household services
  • Loss of consortium

We have recovered millions of dollars for the clients we’ve represented. We’re here to help you, too.

Start Your Case Today

Wrongful death claims in California need to be filed within two years of the date of the deceased person’s death. Do not risk losing your right to file without our experienced legal help.

Contact us today. You can call our firm at 818-922-8544​ or reach us online. We’re here to answer your questions and address your concerns.