Santa Ana Wrongful Death Attorney
Santa Ana Wrongful Death Lawyer
When a personal injury occurs, the injured party has the right to file a civil claim against the party responsible for causing their injury. Unfortunately, not every victim survives these incidents. When an individual dies due to another party’s negligent or intentionally harmful actions, their family may wonder whether they have the right to take legal action against the party responsible for causing their loved one’s death.
Legal Counsel for Santa Ana, CA, Wrongful Death Cases
A wrongful death attorney in Santa Ana is an essential asset if your family has recently lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence. Your attorney can help you gather the evidence you will need to prove liability for the death in question and guide you through the legal process of holding the at-fault party accountable for their actions.
Easton & Easton is a team of experienced Santa Ana wrongful death attorneys who can provide the comprehensive legal guidance you and your family need during a challenging time. We understand that any wrongful death can completely change the lives of the surviving family members of the deceased. You have the right to take legal action against any party that has caused the wrongful death of your loved one, and we can help.
What Is Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death occurs whenever one party’s negligent, reckless, or intentionally harmful actions cause the death of another person. Wrongful death claims mirror personal injury claims closely in many ways when it comes to establishing liability. Essentially, if the victim would have had grounds for a personal injury claim against the at-fault party if they survived, their family likely has grounds for a wrongful death claim when they do not. Some victims die immediately due to the negligent actions of other parties. Other victims suffer catastrophic injuries that eventually prove fatal, generating substantial medical bills and other financial challenges for their families.
Wrongful death claims are emotionally stressful and have complex legal challenges for the surviving family. While it is technically possible to file a wrongful death claim without an attorney and succeed, doing so is incredibly difficult. The average person with no formal legal training would likely experience significant challenges as they attempt to navigate the civil claim system. Hiring a Santa Ana wrongful death lawyer is the best way to hold the responsible party accountable for your loved one’s death while you and your family begin to recover with peace of mind.
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.
Santa Ana, California Wrongful Death Statutes
While wrongful death claims share many similarities to personal injury claims, they are also very different in many ways. First, California enforces specific rules concerning who may file a wrongful death claim. The right to file a wrongful death claim in California follows the state’s law of intestate succession. This means the deceased’s beneficiaries are the first to have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
The primary right to file a wrongful death claim falls to the deceased’s surviving spouse, followed by their children. Next would be the parents or siblings of the deceased, followed by extended family members. Finally, if no such kin exists, anyone who can prove they financially depended on the deceased or who holds a valid legal claim to the deceased’s estate would have the right to file a wrongful death claim instead.
There is a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in California. This means a plaintiff has two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim. This may sound like plenty of time, but every wrongful death claim is unique. Therefore, it is essential to consult a Santa Ana wrongful death attorney as soon as possible if you believe you have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful Death Accident Claims Versus Survival Actions
It is important to note that while wrongful death claims are similar to personal injury claims, they are very different when it comes to the damages available to plaintiffs. A personal injury claim seeks compensation for the victim’s losses. A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the damages incurred by the deceased’s loved ones. The damages available to plaintiffs in a wrongful death claim typically include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Compensation for the lost household services
- Compensation for lost financial support from the deceased, potentially including the income they would have reasonably expected to earn until retirement had they survived
- Pain and suffering compensation for the family’s emotional loss, including loss of affection, consortium, care, guidance, and moral support provided by the deceased
The situation that leads to wrongful death is likely to generate additional losses for the family they cannot legally recover through a wrongful death claim. For example, if the deceased’s estate incurred losses, they cannot include these as damages in their wrongful death claim. Instead, they would need to file a survival action.
Survival actions compensate the deceased’s family for damages that accrue between the incident that caused their loved one’s death and the death itself. For example, many car accidents are fatal but not immediately so. If your loved one suffered severe injuries from a car accident someone else caused and lingered in intensive care for weeks before dying, they likely accrued significant medical bills for their final treatment costs. A survival action seeks compensation for damages incurred by the deceased’s estate, and the claimants in a wrongful death case can file a survival action alongside their wrongful death claim.
In the event a loved one has died because of another party’s illegal activities, the at-fault party will likely face criminal prosecution in addition to civil liability for the wrongful death claim. In addition, the judge handling their criminal trial may sentence them to restitution. If you are concerned about how your civil claim may interact with a criminal case filed by the state, consult a Santa Ana wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to address your concerns.
How Can Wrongful Death Attorneys Help?
The right Santa Ana personal injury attorney can provide several valuable legal services in a wrongful death claim. First, you and your family can mourn with peace of mind knowing your case is in capable hands when you have a reliable and experienced Santa Ana wrongful death lawyer handling your claim.
Your attorney will help you gather the evidence necessary for proving liability for the death in question. This may include physical evidence and eyewitness testimony if anyone saw the death occur. They can also assist you in calculating the full scope of your claimable damages, effectively helping you maximize your family’s financial recovery. Money cannot replace your lost loved one, but it can make transitioning to the next phase of your life much easier.
Santa Ana Wrongful Death FAQs
Many potential wrongful death claimants have lots of questions about their legal options and what to expect from the wrongful death claim process. The following are some of the most common questions the team at Easton & Easton hears from our prospective wrongful death clients.
Q: How Much Is a Typical Wrongful Death Settlement?
A: Wrongful death claims often generate substantial compensation for the victim’s family. When you account for both immediate and long-term losses resulting from a wrongful death, the total claimable damages for the deceased’s family can exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hiring a successful Santa Ana wrongful death attorney is the best way to maximize your family’s recovery through a wrongful death action.
Q: How Do I Prove Wrongful Death?
A: Proving wrongful death often hinges on establishing a defendant’s negligence or proving they failed to uphold a duty of care owed to the deceased in a manner that directly resulted in the death. Proving wrongful death may also hinge on a criminal investigation if the defendant engaged in an intentionally harmful action against the deceased that resulted in their death.
Q: Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?
A: California follows the state law of intestate succession when it comes to the right to file a wrongful death claim. If you are not sure whether you have grounds to file a wrongful death claim, consult a Santa Ana wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
Most people who experience wrongful deaths in their families have many questions about their unique circumstances. Easton & Easton can provide the answers you need to your most pressing legal questions after experiencing a wrongful death in your family.
Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help With Your Case
Filing a wrongful death claim is much easier and more likely to succeed when you have reliable legal counsel on your side. The right Santa Ana wrongful death attorney can make a tremendously positive difference in the outcome of your case, helping you hold a defendant accountable and assisting you in maximizing your family’s recovery.
Easton & Easton understands the emotional toll a wrongful death takes on the deceased’s family. It’s natural to feel a mix of frustration, uncertainty, and despair after losing a loved one due to the negligence of another party. Our goal is to help you navigate this complicated situation as smoothly as possible. If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s action, we can help. Contact Easton & Easton today to schedule your consultation with a Santa Ana wrongful death attorney.
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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!