Get The Justice You Deserve.
Key Takeaways
- Eligible Parties: Under California law, wrongful death claims may be filed by surviving spouses or domestic partners, children, grandchildren (if children are deceased), financial dependents, or intestate heirs if no immediate family exists.
- Recoverable Damages: Compensation covers economic losses (lost financial support, household services, gifts, funeral/burial expenses) and non-economic losses (loss of love, companionship, protection, and moral guidance).
- Statute of Limitations: California law generally requires a wrongful death lawsuit to be filed within two years of the date of death (Cal. Civ. Proc. § 335.1), though claims involving public entities carry a strict 6-month administrative deadline.
- Survival Actions vs. Wrongful Death: While wrongful death claims compensate surviving family members for their losses, a separate “survival action” may be brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover losses incurred prior to death, including punitive damages in cases of severe malice or gross negligence.
- Legal Support: Working with an experienced Vacaville wrongful death attorney ensures thorough accident reconstruction, accurate economic evaluation, and dedicated legal representation against insurance providers and corporate defendants.
When someone you love dies unexpectedly due to the carelessness or negligence of another person, your world will be turned upside down as you attempt to deal with your tragic loss. Further complicating matters is that you will also be forced into dealing with financial, legal, and law enforcement matters while attempting to bring comfort to yourself and your family.
While nothing can bring a loved one back, when another person’s thoughtless and reckless actions result in the loss of someone you love, you do have recourse to seek compensation for your loss by filing a wrongful death claim. It is well within your rights to be paid for your pain and suffering, the loss of companionship, medical and funeral expenses and other related financial impacts that you may be facing.
Our Vacaville Wrongful Death Lawyers (The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc.) have been helping families work through this type of tragic loss for many years, and have developed a well-earned reputation for being compassionate partners in a time of need. Helping a family heal during an emotionally fragile time is balanced by our aggressive pursuit of compensation on behalf of those who have been affected by the loss of a loved one.
Contact The Cartwright Law Firm at (415) 433-0444 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our wrongful death attorney in Vacaville.
Who Is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
- Surviving partner of the deceased
- Children of the deceased
- Grandchildren, if the deceased’s children are also deceased
If none of the above existed, anyone entitled to inherit under California’s intestate succession laws, such as parents or siblings, would be entitled to inherit.
Financial dependents of the deceased, including stepchildren, putative spouses (someone who believed in good faith they were married to the deceased), or parents, if they relied on the deceased for financial support
What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Damages in California wrongful death cases are divided into economic and non-economic losses:
Economic Damages
- Financial support the deceased would have contributed
- Loss of benefits or gifts the heirs would have received
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Value of household services the deceased would have delivered
Non-Economic Damages
- Loss of companionship, love, affection, guidance, and moral support
- Loss of intimacy for a surviving partner
- Loss of care, training, and guidance for children
Importantly, California does not allow recovery for the deceased’s pain and suffering or punitive damages in a wrongful death claim. However, punitive damages may be available in a related survival action.
Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyer in Vacaville Today
Our Vacaville Wrongful Death Lawyers are experts in all facets of wrongful death cases. We are diligent and thorough when it comes to gathering evidence, reconstructing accidents, working with medical and forensic experts, communicating and negotiating with insurance companies and law firms, and trying cases in front of a judge and jury when a situation warrants it.
The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. is backed by over 60 years of experience and we are recognized as one of Northern California’s leading wrongful death litigation firms. We take pride in our success, but we are just as proud of how we treat our clients, protecting their rights and helping them to regain a sense of normalcy in their lives while we work through difficult legal situations on their behalf.
If your family has been the victim of a wrongful death, contact The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. for a free consultation today. Our Vacaville Wrongful Death Lawyer represents clients throughout the greater Bay Area with offices in Vacaville, San Francisco, Discovery Bay, and Santa Rosa. Contact us at (415) 433-0444 for experienced guidance.
I cannot recommend Cartwright Law Firm and Andrew Ratto highly enough. He helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I do not know how I would have managed to get through it without the firm's professional guidance and support.
Everyone at the Cartwright Firm is very likeable. The attorneys and staff are kind, thoughtful, and sincere. They helped walk me through the entire process and were patient when explaining the legal jargon I didn't understand. It is clear they not only really care about your claim, but care about making sure you understand whats going on. Can't recommend them enough!
I worked with the Cartwright law Firm over 20 years ago and on a recent trip to San Francisco I met with Rob and his team of Attorneys for over 2 hours to get an opinion on a legal matter. I was extremely impressed at the professional attitude and real caring I received from their office. Please feel free to watch my VIDEO review vid.us/57pftr
I did not even have to take one step into a court room! I had an amazing experience with Robert Cartwright and his team. They walked me through every step, kept me well informed along the way, and I definitely recommend them to anyone having legal issues.
I recently had a serious altercation with an Uber driver. The Cartwright Law Firm was able to quickly and efficiently evaluate the merits of my case. They are very polite and great to work with. I would recommend The Cartwright Law Firm to any person who needs an experienced, aggressive firm to assist them in their injury case.
They were willing to take my case after being denied by other law firms, and was able to get me a great settlement. I did not event have to take one step in the court room! Highly recommended for any of your legal needs.
The Cartwright Law Firm is very professional and responsive to client needs. I recently had a personal injury case in which David Yen, and an associate from their firm, was able to obtain a fabulous result for me, and I never even had to step into the court room. Thank you again The Cartwright Law Firm!
View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp
FAQs About Wrongful Death
Family members generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California. Filing within this period preserves your ability to pursue your case in court.
Most wrongful death settlements are not subject to federal income tax. However, portions of a settlement, such as punitive damages or interest, can be taxed, depending on the specifics of the recovery.
California law requires all eligible family members to join together in a single wrongful death claim. This approach streamlines proceedings by presenting a unified case before the court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Robert E. Cartwright Jr. who has extensive experience in personal injury and products liability actions and successfully tried dozens of such cases over the last several decades.
Everyone at the Cartwright Firm is very likeable. The attorneys and staff are kind, thoughtful, and sincere. They helped walk me through the entire process and were patient when explaining the legal jargon I didn't understand. It is clear they not only really care about your claim, but care about making sure you understand whats going on. Can't recommend them enough!
Justin G.
Personal Injury
Schedule A Case Review
Act Now. Get The Justice You Deserve.