In California, survivors of a person who has died due to the negligence of another party may claim wrongful death damages via a civil claim, after the death. The wrongful death claim will specifically seek to compensate the survivors for their losses. For instance, the wrongful death claim will compensate survivors for their financial losses, including lost income, lost insurance benefits, and non-monetary losses, like loss of parental guidance, lost spousal support, and other types of damages. For assistance filing a wrongful death claim, speak to a wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles.
A wrongful death claim is a civil claim, and is processed under the civil justice system. It is not related to the criminal charges that prosecutors may file against the person whose negligence caused the death. Criminal charges that may be filed against the person are separate from the civil claim filed against him, and independent of this. The civil claim exists purely to compensate the survivors financially for their losses. The point in a civil claim is not to punish the defendant for his negligence, but to compensate the survivors.
Several survivors of the deceased may qualify for a wrongful death claim in California. To determine if you are eligible for a wrongful death claim, speak to a wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles.