The Butte County Camp Fire incident was truly devastating. Close to 100 innocent people lost their lives, leaving families across the area to mourn. Losing a loved one can be very difficult. What makes their mourning even more unbearable is coming to terms with the fact that your loved lost their life as the result of another person’s negligent, reckless, or careless actions.
Being unprepared to deal with the loss can be overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. When you are faced with the financial consequences of this tragic situation, you may wonder what legal remedies are available for you.
In California, some individuals have a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party in an effort to recover compensation for the death of a loved one. To learn whether you are entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a relative who lost their life in the Camp Fire, contact the Marlene Leiva Law group as soon as possible.
Who Can File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Wrongful death lawsuits enable individuals directly impacted by the loss of a loved one recover compensation. In California, the relatives of the decedent that are able to file a lawsuit against a party that is responsible for the death of another are:
- The surviving spouse or domestic partner of the decedent
- The children or stepchildren of the decedent
- The parents, or live in minors, of the decedent if they relied upon the decedent for financial support
If there are no surviving relatives that fit those listed above, the right to file is extended to other parties including:
- Parents of the decedent that did not depend on the decedent financially
- Siblings of the decedent or their children if the siblings are deceased
- The decedent’s spouse’s children
- The decedent’s grandparents
- The next of kin
If the decedent designated a power of attorney prior to their death, the POA has a legal right to file a lawsuit on behalf of any listed member should they be unable to file for themselves. At the completion of the lawsuit, the designated party places the earnings in the estate to be distributed to interesting parties.
How A Lawyer Can Help You Win Your Case
At the Marlene Leiva Law Group, we have over 30 years of experience helping California residents recover compensation for damages in wrongful death cases. Compensation is available to cover medical and funeral expenses, lost wages and benefits, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and more. In some cases, judges award punitive damages to a claimant as punishment for the responsible party’s actions or inactions that lead to the tragic loss of your loved one.
We truly understand how overwhelming it can be to grieve the loss of a loved one. We will make every effort to recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.