Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyers

Helping Families Seek Justice for the Untimely Loss of a Loved One

To a loved one, any death can seem wrongful. Some wrongful deaths are criminal in nature, such as homicide or manslaughter. Others are accidental, caused by a negligent driver.

Because California law acknowledges the criminal nature of some unnatural deaths, the California Penal Code punishes certain offenders. The families of homicide victims, for example, may participate in the criminal justice process. This can give loved ones a sense of closure not otherwise available to families who’ve suffered an unnatural, accidental loss. A fall down slippery stairs, a construction accident, or a vehicle malfunction can result in the devastating, unnatural loss of a loved one that’s not punishable as a criminal offense.

However, families who’ve suffered from the wrongful loss of a loved one in Riverside, California, can pursue civil recompense.

The nationally renowned Riverside wrongful death attorneys at Greene Broillet & Wheeler may be able to help. Through a civil action for wrongful death, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your loss from any party whose negligent, reckless, or intentional wrongdoings caused the death of your loved one.

Overview of Wrongful Death Actions in California

In California, under the wrongful death statute, certain persons are entitled to assert “[a civil] cause of action for the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”

Only the legal, personal representative of the decedent and/or one of the following parties (under appropriate circumstances) can bring an action for wrongful death in California:

• The surviving spouse
• The surviving registered domestic partner
• Children of the deceased
• Grandchildren of the deceased
• Stepchildren or parents of the deceased if they were actually dependent on the decedent
• The legal heirs of the decedent—that is, a sister or nephew, if the decedent does not have children or grandchildren
• The parents, legal guardian, or legal heir of a minor

While friends, non-registered partners, and distant relatives may participate in the litigation process as witnesses or advocates, unless receiving substantial financial support, they may not bring an action for wrongful death in California. However, close family members can, and should, speak with a respected wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.

Our Success Handling Wrongful Death Litigation

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that unintentional injury deaths are the third-leading cause of death in the United States, behind only heart disease and cancer. Such catastrophic injuries are the leading cause of death for all persons between the ages of 1 and 44. Unintentional injury deaths, such as those caused by falls, motor vehicle crashes, sports-related accidents, poisoning, product malfunction, or physical violence, often lead to wrongful death cases.

At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, we’ve handled some of the nation’s most horrific wrongful death cases. We even obtained $4.9 billion in compensation, the largest individual products liability verdict in history, for clients catastrophically injured or killed by defective motor vehicle gas tanks. The following cases are only some examples of the compensation we’ve recovered for families suffering from the untimely loss of a loved one:

• $14.4 million for the loss of a husband and mother after a negligently serviced and inspected asphalt truck caused a chain-reaction crash, resulting in a load of hot asphalt striking their vehicle
• $4.5 million after a recycling truck jumped a median and caused a head-on collision, killing a husband and father
• $3.7 million against the state of California for negligent road design after a driver crossed a median and struck a young man on a motorcycle
• $3.3 million against a border patrol agency, the largest verdict against it in history, after two children were struck and killed during a negligent border patrol vehicle chase
• $2.6 million for the death of a father caused by the negligent repair of his pickup truck transmission
• $2.25 million for the family of an immigrant security guard killed on the job by an underage driver
• $1.1 million for the parents of a young girl killed when she became entangled in the cords of a mini blind

Few parties responsible for a wrongful death are ready to accept blame. Liable parties will often try to shift blame to the decedent. They may do this to avoid liability, such as claiming the decedent was the negligent driver, or to reduce any damages owed.

For example, in Hernandez v. County of Los Angeles, Mr. Hernandez’s vehicle was disabled on the freeway when a Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputy struck and killed him, leaving his two-year-old daughter without a father. We brought an action for wrongful death on her behalf. During litigation, the County of Los Angeles attempted to blame Mr. Hernandez for his own death by citing his past, unrelated use of marijuana. They further tried to avoid liability by claiming his daughter wasn’t owed appropriate compensation because he wasn’t living with her at the time. Instead, the jury found that Mr. Hernandez had no liability for the accident and entered a $3 million verdict for his daughter.

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Whether the death of your loved one was immediate or they later died from injuries sustained in an accident, California’s nationally renowned wrongful death attorneys at Greene, Broillet & Wheeler are here to offer legal help. We handle the following types of wrongful death cases:

• Motor vehicle accidents: This is the leading cause of wrongful, accidental death in the United States. Truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, car crashes, and pedestrian deaths often occur due to another driver’s negligent or reckless driving behaviors. Furthermore, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries may result in years of suffering, eventually leading to death. You may have the right to bring an action for wrongful death even if the death happened later.
• Premises liability: Slippery stairs, open manholes, and construction site dangers are all examples of premises liability—and all of them can result in the death of a loved one.
• Products liability: You may recover compensation for a wrongful death caused by a negligently designed, manufactured, or installed product. From gas tanks to car seats to kitchen products, design flaws can kill innocent consumers. Furthermore, many major vehicle manufactures know about dangerous defects but don’t issue recalls for financial reasons.
• Assault and battery: Physical attacks can result in unintentional death. Not all dangerous physical contact is criminal in nature, but you may be entitled to wrongful death compensation in California civil court.
• Public entity liability: Special regulations and limitations apply when a public entity is the liable actor. A negligently designed road, for example, can result in death. Certain wrongful death claims against public entities must start with official notice before litigation, or you will lose your right to file a wrongful death action.

Every wrongful death case is unique, and the characteristics of the victim often play a role in wrongful death litigation. For example, a product marketed to young children may require a higher standard of care not otherwise applicable to adult products.

Compensation for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Riverside, CA

Families entitled to compensation after the wrongful death of a loved one may recover economic and/or non-economic damages. Economic (compensatory) damages are incurred as a result of a wrongful death. Examples of economic damages include:

• Medical bills
• Lost future wages of the decedent
• Loss of future benefits
• Transportation costs
• Funeral expenses

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Loss of love
• Loss of care
• Loss of comfort
• Loss of emotional support
• Loss of companionship

Punitive damages may be imposed to punish the liable party for particularly reckless or egregious behaviors, including:

• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Criminal conduct, such as murder or manslaughter
• Concealment of known dangers

For example, a car company that knows its gas tanks or tires are dangerous but doesn’t warn consumers may have to pay punitive damages.

Contact Riverside’s Premier Wrongful Death Lawyers for Free

Our top-rated Riverside wrongful death attorneys at Greene Broillet & Wheeler know that no amount of compensation can bring back your loved one. Every wrongful death case is unique, but some claimants may be entitled to compensation from persons or entities who negligently, reckless, or intentionally contributed to the unnatural death of your loved one. Our wrongful death consultations are completely free, and we may be able to assist you with no upfront or direct, out-of-pocket costs.

To learn more about filing a wrongful death claim in Riverside, contact us online or call our office at (866) 634-4525.