Manhattan Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Attorney in Manhattan Beach, CA

Whenever one party’s negligence or intentional misconduct harms another party, the victim has the right to seek compensation for their losses under California’s personal injury laws. However, if the victim does not survive their personal injury, their surviving family would need to start a wrongful death claim instead to secure accountability of the at-fault party.

Legal Counsel for Manhattan Beach, CA, Wrongful Death Claims

If you have recently lost a loved one due to an act of negligence or willful misconduct in Manhattan Beach, this can be a traumatic and life-changing experience. Car accidents, defective products, and medical malpractice are just a few of the most common causes of wrongful deaths in California. It’s natural to feel uncertain and distressed by the situation, and knowing that the death occurred because of another party’s actions can easily add frustration to this strong mix of emotions.

Shaffer Law provides comprehensive personal injury representation to clients in the Manhattan Beach, CA, area, including those facing difficult wrongful death claims. Our unwavering focus on our clients’ unique needs allows us to deliver compassionate and personalized legal counsel in every wrongful death case we accept. So, if you are ready to seek accountability for the loss of your loved one, Shaffer Law has the professional resources and legal experience you need on your side.

Why You Need a Manhattan Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer

Attempting to handle any civil claim on your own without an attorney would be very difficult. Even if liability seems clear, you could encounter unexpected challenges as you seek accountability for your loved one’s death and your family’s loss. It’s good to approach this situation with the confidence of knowing you have an experienced legal team supporting you. Shaffer Law can help you navigate your case with peace of mind, keeping you fully informed about your case proceedings as your claim unfolds.

We take time to learn as much as we can about every wrongful death client we represent. We’ll review the details of how the death occurred, who you believe to be responsible for it, and the financial impact the death has had on you and your family. Wrongful death claims are similar to personal injury claims in many ways, and it’s common for people to assume that wrongful death claims effectively replace personal injury claims that victims could have filed had they survived. However, it’s important to remember that while a personal injury claim seeks compensation for the victim, a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses of the victim’s surviving family.

Shaffer Law can help you develop a comprehensive legal strategy for your wrongful death claim. Depending on how the death occurred, you and your family may have grounds to file a survival action with your wrongful death action. While the wrongful death claim can yield compensation for the lost financial support provided by the deceased and the surviving family’s loss of affection, guidance, and support, a survival action can seek compensation for losses incurred by the deceased’s estate. In other words, a survival action allows the deceased’s family to seek compensation for the damages the deceased could have sought in a personal injury claim had they survived. The team at Shaffer Law is ready to provide the ongoing support and guidance you need to secure a favorable outcome for your wrongful death claim in Manhattan Beach, CA.

California Rules for Wrongful Death Claims

While a wrongful death claim is a type of civil action and shares many of the same procedural aspects as a personal injury claim, California upholds several strict rules specific to wrongful death claims, namely outlining who may file these claims and the damages available to plaintiffs. In addition, in California, the right to file a wrongful death claim follows intestate succession law. This means the deceased’s primary beneficiaries are first in line with the right to file wrongful death actions.

First is the deceased’s surviving spouse, followed by their children, parents, and other immediate family members. If they do not have any close family, the executor of their estate or designated personal representative can file the claim. If they did not have an estate plan and have no surviving family, anyone who can prove they were financially dependent on the deceased or who holds a valid legal claim to the contents of the deceased’s estate may file a wrongful death claim.

California law also restricts the damages available in a wrongful death claim to those incurred by the family. These damages typically include funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support from the deceased, lost value of household services provided by the deceased, and compensation for the family’s pain and suffering due to lost affection, care, guidance, and moral support. In addition, if the deceased did not die immediately from their final injury, the family can file a survival action that seeks compensation for any losses incurred by the deceased’s estate. These may include medical treatment costs, lost income during final treatment, and compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering before death.

Find Your Legal Team Today

The sooner you secure legal representation for your wrongful death claim in Manhattan Beach, the sooner an experienced legal team can begin work on your case. Shaffer Law understands the emotional distress that wrongful death is likely to inflict on any family. Therefore, we strive to provide compassionate and responsive legal representation to every client we represent in these difficult cases. Our goal is to help your family have a measure of peace of mind while you mourn your loved one as we work toward ensuring accountability for the party responsible for causing their death.

If your family is ready to take legal action in response to a wrongful death in Manhattan Beach, Shaffer Law has the experience and resources you need to navigate your case successfully. Contact our team today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Manhattan Beach wrongful death lawyer.