Malibu Wrongful Death Lawyer

Accidents are quite common in Malibu and when they happen, people sustain serious injuries. Sometimes, the injuries are so severe, victims do not survive them. When this is the case and a person passes away due to someone else’s negligent actions, it is known as a wrongful death. Negligent parties can be held liable for paying compensation for their careless behavior. Filing a wrongful death claim is a complex legal process, though, and there are many laws that govern them. A Malibu wrongful death lawyer can advise you on what those are and help your family recover the full and fair settlement you deserve.

Wrongful deaths are sometimes the result of criminal actions. For example, if a person dies due to injuries they sustained during a physical assault, the death could result in a criminal and civil legal case. Criminal and civil cases are completely separate from each other and the outcome of one will not necessarily impact the other.

During a criminal case, the party that caused the accident resulting in death is prosecuted for their actions. If they are found guilty by a judge or jury, they may have to serve jail time, pay high fines, and face other criminal consequences. Even a guilty verdict in a criminal case will not compensate the loved ones of the deceased.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party is the only way for family members to receive compensation for the losses they incur due to the death. Personal injury lawsuits are civil cases. The party filing must prove the liable party was at fault and caused the accident that resulted in their loved one’s death. A successful personal injury lawsuit can compensate family members for their losses, including the loss of income the deceased provided for the household and the loss of love, companionship, and support. Reach out to a wrongful death attorney in Malibu to get started today.

Like the rest of California, only certain people are eligible to file a wrongful death claim in Malibu. Those most closely related to the deceased are eligible first and the list then extends to relatives who are more distant. Individuals who can file a wrongful death claim include:

• Spouses
• Children, including stepchildren
• Minors who have resided with the deceased for at least six months
• Parents

When the deceased does not have any of the above surviving family members, others in the family are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Siblings and their children can file, and then the grandparents. If the deceased did not have these surviving family members, the next of kin can file a wrongful death claim.

If you have lost someone you love and believe you are entitled to compensation, our Malibu wrongful death attorney at Brod Law Firm can help you obtain the maximum damages you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.