Who is Eligible for Compensation?
The following parties may be able to pursue compensation following a wrongful death:
- Immediate family members (including children, siblings, and parents)
- Life partners or putative spouses
- Any party financially dependent upon the deceased (both family members and extended family)
Financial loss is not only constrained to family members of the deceased. Anyone who was financially dependent upon the victim may be eligible for compensation, provided they can prove that their livelihood was directly tied to the deceased. You need to protect your rights by having a skilled wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles advocating for your interests.
Parties Potentially Responsible
In the event of a wrongful death, many types of parties and entities may be held responsible. These examples can include a driver who was the cause of a fatal collision, a manufacturer of a faulty vehicle, an individual responsible for serving alcohol to an impaired driver, or even the designer of a faulty roadway.
The defining quality comes down to who was the person or entity responsible for causing the wrongful death. Whether it was by virtue of deliberate malice or pure negligence, anyone who was party to the wrongful death of another person may be held responsible for the life of the deceased.
Types of Wrongful Death Damages
There are 3 different categories that can be collected upon in the event of a prevailing wrongful death suit:
- Economic Damages: These damages are subjected and limited to the financial contributions of the wrongfully deceased. These economic damages may be inclusive of an inheritance, future earnings, medical expenses, funeral costs, and any other quantitative monetary contributions made by the individual.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages are non-quantitative costs that may be incurred in the event of a wrongful death. This may include monetary retributions for pain and suffering, including but not limited to: Emotional and mental anguish, loss of care, loss of relationship, loss of love, and other forms of general pain and suffering.
- Punitive Damages: These damages exist to punish the defendant for excessively negligent or careless behavior. Punitive damages are intended to financially burden the defendant by means of an overwhelming verdict.
Get Started with a Free Consultation Today
As wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles, we are committed to the best results in every case we take on. If your loved one has been the victim of a wrongful death, contact BD&J today. Our team can help reduce the burden and ensure that you get the justice you and your loved ones deserve.