Pasadena Wrongful Death Attorney

What Can Cause a Wrongful Death? How Can a Plaintiff Show Proof of Negligence? Our Expert Pasadena Wrongful Death Attorneys Explain

Get Compensated for Your Loss

Wrongful death is an unpredictable situation that results in a life-altering experience for the deceased individual’s family. If you have endured the sudden loss of your loved one, please accept our deepest condolences.

During this difficult time in your life, you may have questions or concerns about how to handle your situation. It is often one of the most difficult times to make complex decisions, however, those affected by it have the right to be compensated for the void left by their loved one’s death. The victim’s heir(s) are given the right to receive compensation for any economic and non-economic damages that were caused by the wrongful death of a loved one.

West Coast Trial Lawyers is determined to help you get the maximum compensation and justice you deserve. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced Pasadena wrongful death attorneys. No fees are paid until your case has been settled.

Reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling (626) 412-8157 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a free consultation at our Pasadena personal injury law firm. 

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Pasadena

• Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian accidents occur quite often in Pasadena. One of the most recent pedestrian accidents took place in June of 2021. An elderly woman was struck by a car while crossing the street. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. Unfortunately, these circumstances are inevitable since pedestrians are left vulnerable while out on the streets. Since there is no protection to prevent any serious injuries from an accident, a pedestrian is usually left in critical condition or dead after a vehicle crashes into them. Immediate medical attention is required in most pedestrian accident cases.
• Car accidents. Several drivers have been victims of wrongful death due to another driver’s reckless behavior. Unfortunately, many drivers choose to ignore California’s road rules by speeding or driving under the influence. These drivers are not only putting themselves in danger, but others nearby, as well.
• Motorcycle accidents. One of the most common locations where a fatal motorcycle accident takes place is in an intersection. This mainly occurs due to the lack of awareness a driver has of his or her own surroundings when attempting to make a left turn. They do not carefully observe the road prior to the turn and crash into a motorcycle that is approaching from behind. For instance, in July of 2021, a hit and run motorcycle accident took place at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena. The motorcyclist suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, however, he was taken to a hospital for further medical treatment.
• Criminal violence. The Pasadena Police Department released a statement indicating that there has been an 85 percent increase in gun violence from 2019 to 2020. The city’s crime rate has increased by only 2 percent, however, the Pasadena police saw a 59 percent increase in the number of people shot. Most of these altercations involved gang members and people who were in heated arguments with one another.

What Elements Create a Wrongful Death?

When a wrongful death occurs, the victim’s family may want to seek compensation for their losses. There are four elements that the family must prove were involved when the wrongful death took place. This includes:

• Duty of Care.There must be proof that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased individual. The plaintiff is therefore responsible for determining how the defendant’s duty of care existed.
• Breach of Duty.It is expected for the victim’s heir(s) to prove that the wrongful death was caused by the defendant’s negligent and careless behavior.
• Causation.The plaintiff is required to show proof of how the defendant’s careless behavior resulted in the wrongful death.
• Damages.The victim’s family must show the losses that resulted from the victim’s death.

To make sure that you are appropriately handling your wrongful death case, it is recommended that you reach out to a Pasadena wrongful death attorney. They will provide you with legal assistance in order to get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death?

The statute of limitations is a specific period of time an individual is given to file a lawsuit. In Pasadena, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is typically two years from the date of the victim’s passing. However, there are exceptions. If the victim’s death was not immediately noticed and was discovered days later, the time period may be extended. This means that the victim’s family is given the opportunity to file a lawsuit starting from the date when they first found out about the loss of their loved one.

There are other circumstances that may warrant additional time to file a wrongful death lawsuit. For example, if an individual passes away due to a defective design or construction, then the family will be given 6 months to file a wrongful death lawsuit. For situations involving minors, there are special rules applied. If a minor wants to file a lawsuit for the death of their parent(s), they are not given a deadline until they turn 18 years old. Once the minor is of age, then they have a time frame of 2 years to sue the individual at-fault for the loss of their parent(s).

Medical malpractice claims include special guidelines. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.5, the victim’s heir(s) are given 1 to 3 years of time to file a wrongful death lawsuit, starting from the date they initially discovered the reckless behavior that resulted in the death of their loved one. It is ideal to reach out to a Pasadena wrongful death attorney to review your case to determine whether or not you are still able to sue the individual at-fault for the incident.

If you exceed the statute of limitations, you will no longer be qualified to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This is why it is important to act immediately to ensure that you and your family receive the justice you deserve along with maximum compensation for the losses that were caused by the wrongful death.

Contact Us

If you suffered the loss of your loved one due to wrongful death, West Coast Trial Lawyers has skilled Pasadena wrongful death attorneys that have over 60 years of legal experience. We will help you recover economic and non-economic damages that were caused by negligent actions committed by the party at-fault. This includes medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

There are no financial risks involved when you use our services. We are here for you 24/7. Contact our friendly legal team by calling (626) 412-8157 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a free consultation today.