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Fontana Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing your loved one due to someone else's negligence is challenging to navigate. Partner with the experienced Fontana wrongful death attorneys to get the compensation you may deserve.
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Case ResultsHelping Injured People Get Results

When it’s your recovery on the line, every cent matters. Our goal is to help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation available for your injuries. As every case is unique, the amounts below are not indicative of future results.

$1.27M
Commercial Accident
Our client was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury. We were able to secure a settlement so they could continue recovery and reach maximum medical improvement.
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$300k
Head-On Collision
Our client was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury. We were able to secure a settlement so they could continue recovery and reach maximum medical improvement.
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$175k
Rear End Accident
Our client was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury. We were able to secure a settlement so they could continue recovery and reach maximum medical improvement.
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Losing a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence is an experience that can upend your life and lead to an uncertain future. Ultimately, no amount of compensation will ever bring your loved one back to you, but obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled can help you and your family on your journey toward healing.

If you lost a loved one in an accident, discuss your claim with an experienced Fontana wrongful death lawyer. At Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers, our firm is committed to your family’s well-being during a difficult time. Reach out to our compassionate team of Fontana injury attorneys today.

Accidents that Cause Wrongful Deaths in Fontana

Nearly any kind of serious accident can lead to a wrongful death claim, but some of the most common varieties include the following:

  • Every variety of traffic accident, including car, truck, motorcycle, bike, and pedestrian accidents
  • Premises liability accidents, such as slips and falls from heights and dog maulings
  • Serious accidents on the job

How Is Liability for a Wrongful Death Established?

Liability for wrongful death claims is established in much the same way that it is in personal injury claims, which means that the following four elements must be present:

  • The at-fault party owed a duty of care to the decedent – or the person who lost their life. Duty of care refers to responsibility for the safety of someone else.
  • The at-fault party failed to uphold the duty of care owed.
  • This failure on the part of the at-fault party was the direct cause of the fatal accident.
  • The survivors experienced losses addressed by the law – or legal damages – as a result.

Wrongdoing

In wrongful death claims, wrongdoing on the part of the at-fault party can take any of the following forms:

  • Negligence, such as when a motorist is distracted, impaired, or exhausted
  • Gross negligence, which refers to an extreme departure from what other reasonably careful people would do in relation to preventing harm under similar circumstances
  • Recklessness, which refers to a deliberate disregard in relation to high risk
  • An intentional wrongful act

Establishing negligence

Negligence in wrongful death claims is established in accordance with the evidence just like in personal injury claims. Evidence can come from:

  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Expert testimony
  • Photos and videos that pertain to the accident, including dash cam footage in fatal traffic accidents
  • Accident recreation models
  • Physical evidence from the accident scene
  • The police or accident report

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

In California, you have only two years from the date of your loved one’s death – not from the date of the accident that ultimately led to their death – to file your wrongful death claim.

It’s important to put this time constraint into careful perspective. The emotional upheaval that comes with losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence can be difficult to move past, and two years can slip by in a painful blur.

Failing to file your claim prior to this deadline can bar you from recovering your losses. It’s in your best interest to reach out soon after a fatal accident to start your claim.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

In the State of California, only specific survivors of the decedent can file wrongful death claims, including:

  • The decedent’s surviving spouse or registered domestic partner
  • The decedent’s surviving child or children, including biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren – if there is no surviving spouse
  • The decedent’s grandchildren – if there are no surviving children
  • Any dependent minors living in the decedent’s household
  • The decedent’s parents – if they were financially dependent on the decedent or if there is no surviving spouse or children
  • Any other heirs of the decedent – if none of the above apply – in accordance with California’s laws of inheritance

If the decedent has none of the above survivors, the person who is their next of kin can file the wrongful death claim.

Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death claims proceed much like personal injury claims. Because your loved one succumbed to the injuries they sustained, you – as the survivor – can seek compensation on their behalf.

It’s important to note that these losses are calculated in relation to either the decedent or the involved survivor’s life expectancy – whichever is shorter.

Further, life expectancy is a matter for the jury to determine – in relation to a wide range of variables that include:

  • Overall health
  • Lifestyle
  • Occupation
  • Relevant risk factors

Economic damages

The economic damages you can seek compensation for in your wrongful death claim include all the following:

  • Ongoing financial support of your lost loved one, including the contributions they would have made over the course of their lifetime
  • The reasonable value of the services your lost loved one would have provided you
  • Gifts and benefits that you expected to receive from your lost loved one
  • The cost of your lost loved one’s funeral and burial

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages refer to those losses that cannot readily be assigned a value, but that are, nonetheless, considerable losses. Examples include:

  • Society and companionship
  • Protection
  • Moral support
  • Affection
  • Guidance and training

California puts no limits – other than requiring a reasonable determination that is predicated on the available evidence – on non-economic damages, and it only recently added pain and suffering to survivors’ compensable losses.

Learn More About Filing for Wrongful Death

At Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers, our compassionate Fontana wrongful death attorneys dedicate their practice to valued clients like you. We are humbled by your decision to rely on us to advocate for your family. Begin your wrongful death claim by contacting us online or calling us at 888-970-5729 today.

Wrongful Death Claim FAQs

Will my pain and suffering be considered in my wrongful death claim?

Yes, you can seek compensation for your emotional losses in your wrongful death claim.

How can I protect my claim?

You should work closely with a seasoned attorney, leave the communication with the insurance company to your attorney, follow your doctor’s orders carefully, and take a break from social media.

Will I have to pay before my claim settles?

No, your attorney will receive a prearranged percentage of your settlement only after the matter has been successfully resolved.

No Fee Unless We Win. Period.
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Case Process Easy As 1-2-3!

It may be your first time working with a personal injury lawyer, but our team makes the process simple and affordable. As soon as you hire our firm, you can rely on us to take care of everything. Here’s how it works.

01

100% Free Consultation

Contact one of our local law firms any time. We’ll sit down to learn about your situation at no cost or obligation to you.

02

Easy Sign Up Process

If we’re the right fit for your legal needs, then we’ll walk you through what information we need to represent you going forward.

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We Get To Work On Your Case

We examine evidence, make demands of the insurance company, and fight hard for every financial award you’re entitled to.

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No Fee Unless We Win. Period.
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