Garden Grove Wrongful Death Lawyer
Garden Grove Wrongful Death Attorney
When someone causes an injury and/or economic loss to another party, the injured party has the right to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their damages. However, when a personal injury is fatal, the victim’s surviving family may wonder whether they have any options for legal recourse against the party responsible for their loved one’s death. A wrongful death claim can effectively replace a personal injury claim when a victim of another party’s actions results in fatal injury. If someone’s negligence or intentional action recently caused the death of your loved one, you likely have grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death cases are very similar to personal injury claims in several ways with a few key differences. If you believe you have grounds for a wrongful death action, it’s vital to consult a Garden Grove wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. No matter how straightforward your claim may seem, the legal mechanisms you must handle to hold the at-fault party accountable will be much easier to manage with reliable legal counsel on your side.
Why Do I Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Garden Grove, CA?
You might assume you can hold the party responsible for your loved one’s death accountable on your own. Your Garden Grove family may be struggling financially due to the untimely death and the thought of taking on legal fees to pursue a wrongful death claim might seem to make an already challenging situation even more stressful. However, the reality is that you are far more likely to succeed with a wrongful death claim when you have experienced legal representation. The average person with no legal experience would likely struggle to fulfill the procedural requirements necessary for success with a wrongful death claim.
Hiring an experienced Garden Grove wrongful death lawyer will allow you and your family to focus on your everyday lives with greater confidence and peace of mind. Your legal team can handle your case proceedings on your behalf, helping you understand each phase of your case as it unfolds. Ultimately, hiring legal counsel not only improves your chances of success with your claim but is also likely to yield more compensation than you could otherwise obtain on your own.
Proving Fault for Wrongful Death Injury
Similar to a personal injury claim, a wrongful death claim requires the plaintiff to identify the party responsible for the death in question and to prove the at-fault party’s actions directly resulted in the death. It is not necessary to prove the defendant intended to cause the death. However, in the event a wrongful death occurs because of an intentional criminal action, the defendant will not only face a wrongful death claim from the deceased victim’s family but also criminal prosecution from the state.
Your Garden Grove wrongful death attorney can help you determine how the wrongful death occurred and assist you in gathering the evidence you may need to clearly establish fault for the death and the resulting damages to your family. Some of the most commonly cited causes of wrongful deaths in California include:
- Vehicle accidents. Fatal car accidents happen every day in California. Determining fault for a fatal accident may require obtaining traffic camera footage and eyewitness testimony from those who saw the accident occur.
- Workplace accidents. When an individual dies at work from an accident, their family likely has the right to seek workers’ compensation death benefits. However, they may have grounds for further legal action depending on the exact cause of the death and whether any party is directly responsible for causing it.
- Premises liability. Property owners must address foreseeable safety hazards on their properties as soon as they discover them. If your loved one died due to negligent care of private property, the property owner is likely liable for the wrongful death.
- Medical malpractice. Unfortunately, while many people rely on medical professionals every day to provide safe and effective care, medical errors and medical negligence are a leading cause of accidental deaths throughout the country.
Ultimately, success with any wrongful death claim requires identifying the party responsible for the death in question and providing proof of the damages the at-fault party caused to the decedent’s family. It’s important to note that a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the victim’s family, including their lost financial support, household services, and care and affection provided by the deceased. If you believe you have grounds to seek compensation for damages incurred by the deceased’s estate, you could file a survival action in tandem with your wrongful death claim.
Proven Case Results
We recently settled a wrongful death case for $2.75 million where the decedent was 55 years old with no wife or children, just two surviving parents in their 80s. The defendants’ insurance carrier initially expected to pay no more than $250,000 to settle the case of these 80-year-old parents who had no economic losses as a result of their son’s death. But because we demonstrated the unique bond these parents shared with their son by persuasively telling their family story, we were able to significantly increase the value of their case.
After seeing how we would present this elderly couple’s case before a jury, the insurance company knew that taking the matter to trial could result in a substantially higher verdict based on our advocacy. Consequently, we were able to settle the case for an amount far in excess of our clients’ wildest dreams without them having to go through the pain and ordeal of a lengthy trial.
Wrongful Death FAQs
Q: What Qualifies as a “Wrongful” Death?
A: A wrongful death occurs when one party’s negligence, carelessness, intentional misconduct, or reckless disregard for the safety of others results in the death of another person. If the victim would have qualified in filing a personal injury claim had they survived, their family likely has grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
Q: How Do You Determine Fault for a Wrongful Death?
A: Establishing liability for a wrongful death is similar to the process of proving fault for a personal injury. The plaintiff must identify the party or parties they believe to be responsible for the death in question, prove the defendant was negligent in some way that directly caused the death in question, and establish proof of the losses resulting from the death.
Q: Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit in California?
A: California’s wrongful death law follows the state’s law of intestate succession when it comes to eligibility to file wrongful death claims. The deceased’s spouse or partner is typically first in line for the right to file a claim, followed by their children, parents, and other immediate family members. If they have no family but have named a personal representative, this party may file a wrongful death claim, followed by anyone who can prove financial dependance on the deceased or a valid legal claim to the deceased’s estate.
Q: How Long Will a Wrongful Death Case Take?
A: Wrongful death claims may take several months to resolve depending on the availability of evidence and whether the defendant accepts liability for the death. Some cases can be resolved relatively quickly with compelling evidence. Your Garden Grove wrongful death lawyer can provide a reasonable estimate of the timetable your case is likely to follow.
Easton & Easton have years of experience representing clients in wrongful death claims, and we can provide the meticulous and compassionate representation you need in this difficult situation. If you are ready to discuss your case with an experienced Garden Grove wrongful death lawyer, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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