Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorneys in San Diego
At Harbor Accident Lawyers, we understand that losing a loved one is devastating, especially when the death is preventable. After a loved one's death, the victim's surviving family members may be dealing with medical expenses, funeral, and burial expenses while trying to process and grieve their devastating loss.
We are here to help victims' family members navigate complex wrongful death lawsuits. Our personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars in financial compensation for grieving family members. We advocate tirelessly for your rights and strive for the maximum recovery in your wrongful death claim. Our San Diego wrongful death lawyer can hold the wrongdoers responsible for the person's death they caused.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Free Consultation
Contact Our San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
The easiest way to answer all your questions is for you to call us.
How Can a Wrongful Death Attorney Help Me?
If you lost a spouse or family member in a fatal accident, don't hesitate to consult a San Diego wrongful death lawyer. Wrongful death claims are very complex, and the financial stakes are high. Your case may even proceed to court. If so, the process will become more complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. It's essential to consult a San Diego wrongful death attorney who can take care of the paperwork for you, gather necessary evidence, enlist the help of experts who can strengthen your case, and promptly resolve your wrongful death lawsuit.
At Harbor Accident Lawyers, our San Diego wrongful death lawyers, and local courts. We will protect your rights and provide you with the best legal advocacy. The statute of limitations in California for wrongful death claims is two years from your loved one's death. It's best to consult a San Diego wrongful death attorney to determine legal action before your statute of limitations runs out.
We are like family
You're not just a number but a family member. Expect courtesy calls and constant updates from our law firm. Our friendly staff is available to take your calls whenever you need anything.We strive for maximum recovery
We are your loyal advocate who understands your needs. You can expect honest advice and aggressive representation from us. We will decide on the best strategy to benefit you and your financial recovery.No money out-of-pocket
Because we work on a contingency basis, you don't pay us until we win your wrongful death settlement. We take pride in providing free legal advice whether or not you hire us."We highly recommend Harbor Accident Lawyers. They were very professional, from the initial interview to the final resolution. Over several months, they never failed to keep us updated on the status of our case, address concerns or questions, and discussed our options without pushing us in any direction. Professional support staff, as well. Good job."
"Harbor Accident Lawyers are awesome, caring, compassionate people to work with. I was apprehensive about calling a Lawyer re. My accident until I read about him. He has taken my fears of lawyers away and worked with me to get the max possible. They are always available or will call you back in a timely manner to answer. I would recommend him to anyone at the drop of a pin. Thank you for everything."
Cases We Handle
We handle the following personal injury cases:
Work Injuries
No Fees Until We Win Your Wrongful Death Claim
At Harbor Accident Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, so we do not charge any legal fees until we win your wrongful death case. We also offer free consultations to discuss your legal options and assess the strength of your wrongful death case.
Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. We have won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for wrongful death cases. Get the financial compensation you are entitled to after a loved one's death.
San Diego Office
Contact Our San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
The easiest way to answer all your questions is for you to call us.
What Is A Wrongful Death?
In California, the law defines wrongful death as a fatality that another person's wrongful act or negligence causes. While many associate wrongful death with fatal accidents, the scope extends far beyond, including fatalities resulting from medical malpractice, where healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, or from defective products, which may malfunction and cause death.
These scenarios underscore the diverse circumstances under which surviving spouses or family members may pursue wrongful death claims, seeking justice for loved ones lost not just to unforeseen accidents but also to preventable errors and oversight. Each case represents a profound personal loss, inviting legal action to provide financial compensation, enforce accountability, and prevent future negligent acts.
Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics Related to Wrongful Deaths
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 3,983 fatal accidents in California alone in 2021.
These crashes accounted for 38,824 total deaths. After a fatal accident, the surviving spouse and family members may feel alone, angry, and overwhelmed.
Surviving family members may have to pay funeral and burial expenses out-of-pocket and may be left with other bills. The average cost of a traditional service burial in California is approximately $6,893.
Page Updated: 03/28/24
What Compensation is Available in Wrongful Death Claims?
If you lost a family member in an accident due to someone else's negligent or reckless behavior, you may be able to recover compensation for damages in a wrongful death claim or a wrongful death lawsuit, including economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages have a monetary value and are typically easy to determine. It's essential to collect your medical records, medical expenses, and car accident-related expenses you've incurred as evidence of your losses.
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Lost income and financial support
- Loss of inheritance
- The value of lost household services
- Lost employment benefits, retirement, and pension
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damage is subjective and, therefore, more difficult to determine. These types of damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Loss of love, care, support, and protection
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of parental support and guidance
Punitive Damages
Courts may also grant punitive damages in exceptional cases where the defendant committed egregious negligent acts. The court awards these damages at its discretion when it finds the defendant's conduct particularly harmful.
Who Is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
Most wrongful death cases are settled outside of court. However, specific individuals can file a lawsuit under California wrongful death law.
Those who may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit include:
The decedent's spouse or domestic partner
If the decedent was legally married, the surviving spouse or registered domestic partner may pursue a wrongful death suit.
Children of the deceased person
The decedent's children may be able to file a wrongful death claim if they are the biological children, fully adopted children, or stepchildren of the deceased person. Relatives, including the parents and siblings of the decedent
Parents who were financially dependent on the deceased person may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. If the decedent is a minor, the parents can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The deceased individual's representative
A personal representative of the deceased person's estate can file a wrongful death action on behalf of the surviving family members.
What Are Wrongful Death Claims Worth in California?
The value of your wrongful death case depends on factors like the medical bills before the death, funeral, and burial expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income the decedent could have earned, and loss of companionship, care, guidance, love, and support. Monetary damages like medical bills and funeral expenses are more objective and more straightforward to calculate. However, damages that are less clear-cut, like emotional trauma and mental distress, are not easy to prove.
An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you calculate and prove your losses, including more subjective damages. A San Diego personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex wrongful death claims process after a fatal accident.
Contact a San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
With millions of tourists yearly, it's no surprise that San Diego streets are bustling with motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Consequently, there are also thousands of traffic accidents each year. In 2019, over 19,900 car accidents in San Diego County resulted in injuries and fatalities. About 4,722 accounted for speeding-related accidents, and 2,518 involved driving under the influence of alcohol.
If you lost a loved one in a San Diego car accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. Our San Diego wrongful death lawyers at Harbor Accident Lawyers will fight to hold the wrongdoers accountable for their actions. Schedule a free consultation today.
How Can We Help?
Please fill out the form, and an attorney will contact you shortly to discuss your wrongful death claim.
1901 First Ave., Suite 204,
San Diego, CA 92101
858-757-8724