San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyers & Fatal Accident Attorneys
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a devastating and life-changing event. In addition to the emotional pain and suffering, families are often left with the financial burden of burial expenses and medical bills. Not to mention many unanswered legal questions. If your family has experienced the wrongful death of a loved one, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a wrongful death claim.
At The Hassell Law Group, our experienced San Francisco wrongful death attorneys have successfully represented countless families throughout the Bay Area in seeking accountability and maximum compensation. Our legal team provides compassionate guidance while tenaciously pursuing claims against those responsible for your loss.
Don’t settle your wrongful death case for less than it’s worth. You may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact our office today and receive a free consultation.
Free Consultation – No Fees Unless We Win Your Case. Call Us Now: (415) 334-4111
Seeking Justice with Our San Francisco Wrongful Death Attorneys
The Hassell Law Group is a top-rated wrongful death law firm, recognized for securing substantial results for families who have lost loved ones because of the negligence of another person or entity. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex wrongful death claims and have been recognized by Top Verdict, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers®, and National Top 100 Trial Lawyers for their exceptional legal skill and successful case results, including some of the largest settlements in California.
Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Attorneys?
Hiring our highly experienced San Francisco wrongful death lawyers can significantly impact the financial outcome of your case. Our firm offers:
- Over 100 years of combined legal experience h
- A winning reputation and an undefeated record at trial
- We are top-rated Bay Area personal injury lawyers who consistently achieve outstanding case results for families in wrongful death cases
- Ranked among the best wrongful death attorneys in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Highly rated by our clients on review sites such as Yelp, Google Reviews, and Avvo
- Tens of Millions recovered for the families of Bay Area wrongful death victims
- Winning Case strategies to maximize your compensation
- No Win, No Fee – You pay nothing unless we recover money in your case
Wrongful death cases require highly experienced legal representation to hold negligent parties accountable and to recover the compensation your family deserves.
The Role of a Wrongful Death Attorney
A wrongful death attorney represents the interests of surviving family members who have lost a loved one due to negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The attorney’s role includes:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident and cause of death
- Gathering critical evidence to prove liability and the extent of the damages
- Consulting with medical and forensic experts to strengthen the case
- Determining the exact amount of economic and non-economic damages sustained
- Negotiating with insurance companies to obtain maximum compensation available
- Litigating in court when necessary to maximize your financial recovery
Having an experienced wrongful death attorney on your side ensures your case is handled properly, giving you the best chance of receiving the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Defining Wrongful Death in California
In California, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to negligence, misconduct, or intentional harm caused by another party. Common scenarios that may result in a wrongful death claim include:
- Motor vehicle accidents caused by negligent, drunk, or reckless drivers
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
- Fall Accidents
- Workplace accidents caused by unsafe working conditions
- Defective products leading to fatal injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
If another party’s negligence led to your loved one’s death, you may have the right to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.
California’s Wrongful Death Laws
California law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their loss. This claim permits recovery of damages for:
- Medical costs incurred after the accident up until the deceased’s death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased’s future income
- Loss of financial support from the deceased
- Value of deceased’s lost household contributions
- Loss of love, companionship, emotional support, and guidance
- Loss of consortium (for spouse)
Families of wrongful death accident victims may also be entitled to recover various other damages related to their loss. These damages can include:
- Economic damages: These damages are meant to compensate for the financial losses suffered by the deceased person’s family as a result of the death. They can include medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of income or support provided by the deceased.
- Non-economic damages: These damages are meant to compensate for the loss of love, affection, moral support, training and guidance, and loss of companionship of the deceased person.
- Survival damages: The deceased’s estate may be entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering that the deceased experienced before their death. These are known as survival damages and can be recovered in a separate legal claim or action.
The legal process in wrongful death cases can be complex, but our attorneys will guide you through every step to ensure your legal rights are protected every step of the way.
How To Prove Liability in a California Wrongful Death Claim
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, the following four legal elements must be proven:
- Duty of Care – The responsible party owed a legal duty to prevent harm.
- Breach of Duty – The party failed to fulfill this duty due to negligent or reckless behavior.
- Causation – The negligent or reckless actions directly caused the death.
- Damages – The surviving family has suffered financial and emotional losses.
Our legal team conducts detailed investigations, consults with experts, and gathers strong evidence to build a compelling case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the following individuals may file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit:
- The deceased’s spouse or domestic partner
- The deceased’s children
- The deceased’s parents, if no spouse or children exist
- Other financial dependents, stepchildren, legal guardian of deceased
If you are unsure whether you qualify to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, our attorneys can provide guidance during a free consultation.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a California Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims allow recovery of compensation for:
- Medical costs related to the deceased’s final injury or illness
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income and benefits that the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, support, and guidance
- Emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members
Our firm fights to recover the maximum compensation families deserve to help ease financial burdens and ensure justice is served.
How Much Compensation Is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The amount of compensation recoverable in a wrongful death case varies based on several factors, including:
- The age, household role, occupation, and lifetime earning potential of the deceased
- The circumstances surrounding the wrongful death
- The level of negligence or misconduct involved
- The financial and emotional impact on surviving family members
Our legal team carefully evaluates each case to determine its full value and aggressively negotiates for maximum compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death. If the claim is not filed within this time, the right to seek compensation may be lost.
Certain cases, such as those involving government entities, have much shorter claim filing deadlines, making it essential to seek legal advice immediately or as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in the San Francisco Bay Area
Wrongful deaths can result from various accidents and incidents, including:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Construction site and workplace accidents
- Defective products
Our firm has extensive experience handling all types of wrongful death cases and is committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the loss of your loved one.
How to Begin a Wrongful Death Claim in California
Starting a wrongful death claim involves several steps:
- Retain a skilled wrongful death attorney for your case
- Filing the claim within the legal deadline
- Gathering evidence to prove negligence and liability
- Determining the amount of economic and non-economic damages
- Negotiating a settlement with insurance companies or pursuing litigation if a just settlement is not offered
Our attorneys will handle every aspect of your case, ensuring that all legal requirements are met while providing your family with the support and guidance you need during this very challenging time.
Contact Our San Francisco Wrongful Death Attorneys for A Free Consultation
Losing a loved one due to negligence is a traumatic experience. Our legal team is dedicated to providing the support and legal advocacy families need during this difficult time. Contact us today for:
- Free consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney
- No upfront costs; we only get paid if we recover money in your case
- Highly skilled representation to secure maximum compensation
Call now: (415) 334-4111
We are here to help your family seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case. We look forward to speaking with you.
The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.