How Loved Ones Can Bring Their Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The California Camp Fire started wreaking havoc across northern California on November 8 and continued blazing on into November 25 until it was fully contained with the help of firefighters and other emergency responders. This is known to be the deadliest, most destructive, and costliest wildfire known to California history as it burned through an astounding 153,336 acres and took many homes and lives.

Three people at this time remain unaccounted for and others have sadly been injured or lost their lives in this serious incident that took place due to the alleged negligence of PG&E utility. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has been releasing the names of many victims of this incident that could have been prevented if PG&E would have properly maintained its equipment. So far, it has been found that 86 people lost their lives due to the wildfire, many of which were from Paradise and Magalia, but other victims were found in other neighboring towns.

For those who have suffered the most severe losses such as the loss of a loved one, they might wonder how they can move forward during this difficult time as bills keep piling up against them and they deal with the realistic emotions of losing a loved one in a wildfire. You may already know that you have a right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit, but where do you start? Who is able to and how do you jumpstart the process?

Moving Forward with Your Claim

If you have lost somebody due to the negligence of another party, you have the right to bring what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit, which we have spoken about previously in relation to the Camp Fire lawsuit. Many people believe that anyone in particular is able to file one of these claims, but this is not necessarily true. The family of a loved one or someone’s personal representative is able to bring one of these claims so that they can compensate on behalf of a loved one after they have suffered some of the worst losses. If you are left to fight financially on your own following the loss of someone close to you and now you are left to pick up the medical bills, funeral costs, and more, you have many options.

It is important for you to understand how to commence your wrongful death suit, because it is simply more than just speaking to your attorney. There are many documents that must be filed and you must do it before the statute of limitations is met, which is why you should never delay on making your claim. You will be supplying the defendant with the intention to file a lawsuit in the first place, alleging the many reasons why you believe the other party acted in a negligent manner. From there, a decision will be made on where the lawsuit will be heard in court and how both parties should proceed onward as the investigation continues.

It can be difficult to navigate the legal system on your own after you have lost somebody close to you and, during this especially imperative time, it is important to have a specialized attorney on your side so that you never feel taken advantage of and always have the strength to move forward. At the Marlene Leiva Law Group, we want to help you when you are suffering the ill effects of a wrongful death related to the Camp Fire and want to know what damages are available to you. These cases can be overwhelming and can cause you to suffer emotionally and financially on many levels. Contact us for more information at 415-459-7300.