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Lincoln Wrongful Death Lawyer

Lincoln Wrongful Death Lawyer

Lincoln wrongful death attorney

Every year, thousands of people suffer fatal injuries throughout California from a wide range of causes. When one party’s actions directly cause the death of another party, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim. The case award from a wrongful death suit cannot return their lost loved one, but it can hold the at-fault party accountable and secure compensation that helps the family adjust to their new circumstances with some peace of mind.

Legal Representation for Wrongful Death Cases in Lincoln

The Kreeger Law Firm has helped many clients through a wide variety of personal injury claims in Lincoln, and our firm is also experienced with handling wrongful death suits. While similar to personal injury claims in some ways, the state enforces unique statutes that specifically apply to wrongful death. Therefore, if you anticipate filing a wrongful death claim in the near future, it is essential to know the value of having an experienced Lincoln wrongful death attorney representing you.

Understanding the Basics of a Wrongful Death Claim

Most of the wrongful death suits filed in Lincoln, CA each year are the effects of negligence, but it is also possible for intentional and/or criminal misconduct to have fatal consequences for a victim. The determining factor as to whether you can file a wrongful death suit is if the death was the direct consequence of another party’s actions. If they acted with malicious intent, caused the death through a criminal act, or displayed egregious criminal negligence, they could face legal charges from the state along with your civil suit. Otherwise, you must be prepared to prove that their negligence directly caused the death.

Proving fault in a negligence-based wrongful death action requires identifying the party or parties responsible for the death, then gathering evidence showing they failed to act with reasonable care in a manner that directly resulted in the death. Next, the plaintiff must be prepared to show the full scope of damages resulting from the death as well as clear evidence proving these damages directly resulted from the defendant’s negligence and not some other cause.

When you choose the Kreeger Law Firm to represent you, we will get to work immediately gathering the evidence necessary to prove liability and establish the full scope of your family’s claimable damages. We are often able to locate channels of compensation most people would be likely to overlook on their own, enhancing our clients’ recoveries much more than they initially expected.

Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Suit

Once you have identified the party responsible for your loved one’s death, the next challenge of your case is proving the range of economic losses the death has caused. Under California law, the plaintiff in a wrongful death suit may claim compensation for both immediate and future losses resulting from the wrongful death.

You may be able to calculate some of these damages on your own, but the right attorney can significantly improve your chances of maximizing your case award. Under state law, the plaintiffs in a wrongful death suit can claim:

  • Compensation for the deceased’s financial support. An experienced Lincoln wrongful death attorney could help their client determine how much income the deceased would have reasonably expected to earn if they had survived.
  • Repayment of lost household services. Losing a family member could make it more difficult for the surviving relatives to maintain their household, raise their children, and manage other everyday concerns the deceased typically resolved for them. Again, your Lincoln wrongful death attorney will be invaluable in assessing a suitable figure to include in your civil suit.
  • Pain and suffering of the rest of the family. The spouse of the deceased can claim compensation for loss of affection, and the rest of the family may claim compensation for lost affection, moral support, guidance, and care. A wrongful death attorney can assist their client in determining an appropriate amount to include in their claim based on the unique details of the case.
  • Funeral and burial expenses in alignment with the final wishes and spiritual beliefs of the deceased.

Beyond these losses, you may also be able to pursue a survival action with your wrongful death case. This would seek compensation for the losses the deceased experienced between the time of their fatal injury and the time of their death. Survival actions can only be filed under certain conditions, but doing so can greatly improve the family’s final recovery.

Additional Legal Factors in California Wrongful Death Suits

When you have experienced legal representation on your side, you may learn that your case is far more valuable than you initially expected. Money cannot replace a deceased loved one, but the case award you obtain with the help of your attorney can make it much easier for your family to adjust to their new reality with minimal economic disruption.

If a criminal action or any activity that falls outside the scope of typical negligence causes a wrongful death, the defendant is likely to face legal charges from the state. Interpersonal violence, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and reckless driving are just a few examples of situations that may lead to criminal charges for the defendant. In addition, it’s possible for the judge who handles their criminal trial to include restitution to the victim as part of their sentence, and the judge overseeing your civil suit could award punitive damages meant to reflect the seriousness of the defendant’s behavior.

If you believe such factors play a role in your case, it’s vital to connect with an experienced Lincoln wrongful death attorney as soon as possible after your loved one’s death. The more time your attorney has to work on your case, the more likely you are to reach the best possible results. The Kreeger Law Firm has years of professional experience resolving wrongful death suits and other civil claims on behalf of clients in Lincoln and surrounding communities, and we are available to provide the ongoing support required for reaching the best outcome in your wrongful death claim.

Wrongful Death Lawyer FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death Actions in California?

A: If you believe another party is responsible for causing the death of your relative through negligence or misconduct, you must file your wrongful death suit against them within two years of the death. The sooner you connect with a Lincoln wrongful death attorney, the better your chances are of succeeding with the case.

Q: How Much Is My Wrongful Death Lawsuit Worth in Lincoln?

A: The total compensation you obtain for a wrongful death suit in Lincoln hinges on the severity of the economic losses caused by the death, as well as the seriousness of the defendant’s actions that caused the death. Many variables influence the exact amount of compensation your family is eligible to claim, and the best way to maximize your case award is by hiring an experienced Lincoln wrongful death attorney as soon as possible after the death.

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Wrongful Death?

A: Most wrongful deaths reported are the results of negligence, or failure to exercise reasonable care in specific situations. It’s also possible for an intentional and/or criminal act to result in a wrongful death, in which case the at-fault party is likely to face legal charges along with civil liability for the family’s losses. Your Lincoln wrongful death attorney can provide specific advice as to how you must establish liability for the death of your loved one based on the unique details of your case.

Q: How Much Does a Lincoln Wrongful Death Attorney Cost to Hire?

A: It’s understandable to have concerns about the cost of hiring an attorney to assist you with your wrongful death claim. However, even if you account for the cost of hiring them, they can still generate much better results than you could likely manage on your own. The Kreeger Law Firm accepts wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients only part with percentages of their final case awards, but only if we win their cases.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

A: Technically, no, there is no law requiring you to hire legal counsel for your wrongful death claim but doing so dramatically improves your chances of reaching a positive conclusion to your case. The right attorney can streamline your case proceedings significantly and dramatically improve the quality of your final case award.

The Kreeger Law Firm has the professional resources and legal experience you need on your side to navigate your wrongful death proceedings with confidence. We know how challenging these cases can be and the obstacles our clients often face as they seek accountability for their lost loved ones. Our goal is to help you reach the best results possible in the shortest time, streamlining your family’s receipt of compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Lincoln wrongful death attorney you can trust to guide you through your impending case.