In California, funeral and burial expenses of the loved one can be recovered along with the money that the loved one would have earned throughout their lifetime.

So which family members can bring an action for wrongful death in California? In California there is a particular order of which family members have standing to bring an action for wrongful death; the spouse of victim and the victim's children or other dependents under the age of 18.

What if your loved one died without a spouse and children?

California law allows some family members to still bring an action for wrongful death even if they are not immediate family. Contact our office if you have any questions about whether or not you have the required standing to bring suit for your loved one's wrongful death.

What if you are the now widowed spouse?

You may also be able to recover for loss of love and affection but this is something you will want to discuss in depth with our attorneys.

How much might a jury award for wrongful death?

This is an answer that varies pretty widely based on the make-up of the jury. Factors that affect this amount include how immediate the deceased family member was to you. Juries will typically award more money and see a case differently if it has been brought on behalf of the deceased's minor children rather than the deceased's cousin or aunt. Another factor that will play in the decision is the health and age of your deceased loved one. This includes your loved one's perceived "earning power." Meaning was the person at the peak of their earning potential or already retired.

What should I do next?

You need to contact a California personal injury attorney for a consultation as soon as possible. There are statutes of limitations that apply to such actions and you do not want to wait too long and have the action time barred.

Our attorneys are experienced in this area of the law and want to help you achieve the best result possible to aid in your healing after this horrible tragedy that has befallen your loved one and your entire family.