Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer

One of the most devastating experiences a family can go through is losing a loved one due to negligence or at the hands of someone else. If you seek justice and accountability, having the proper legal support will make all the difference in your pursuit. Let a Fresno wrongful death lawyer at SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm help you through the complicated process of the law so your family can receive the compensation and closure it rightfully deserves.

Why Choose SSD Law Firm as Your Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno?

Selecting a law firm for such a sensitive case requires trust, expertise, and experience. Here is why SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm stands out in particular:

Proven Track Record

At the SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm, it is with great experience that we represent the families in Fresno, securing large settlements for the families of wrongful death cases. Results speak louder, and scores of clients have trusted us to fight for justice.

Compassionate Advocacy

We understand the emotional devastation that comes with losing a loved one and are committed to handling each case with the care, sensitivity, and attention it will need. We’ll be your rock: supportive through every step and never a burden. You will never be alone. Your peace of mind is of the utmost importance.

No Upfront Fees

Our services are offered on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This eliminates the financial burden, so we can focus on seeking the best possible outcome for you and your family. We will fight relentlessly on your behalf.

Local Expertise

With extensive experience and a deep understanding of California law, we build robust, tailored strategies for Fresno clients. Familiarity with the courts and other legal venues in the region enables us to handle cases efficiently, thus ensuring that you get professional and local representation. Trust us to seek justice and be served with expertise and dedication.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case in California?

A wrongful death case arises when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful act. Under California law, specific family members or dependents have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice for their devastating loss. These lawsuits aim to hold the responsible party legally accountable and compensate families for economic and emotional losses, such as funeral expenses and loss of companionship.

Parties eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit include:

• The deceased person’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children.
• If no surviving direct relatives exist, other dependants or those entitled under intestate succession, such as parents, siblings, or legal guardians, may file the claim.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Fresno, CA

Wrongful death cases can arise in any of the following circumstances and many more:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

The major factors contributing to terrible road disasters include negligent drivers, distracted driving, poor conditions of roads, and defective vehicle parts. These often result in life-changing injuries, permanent disabilities, or even death, which may cause victims and their families to suffer from emotional trauma and financial burdens. Other than medical bills and lost wages, families must face long-term challenges, including ongoing care for injured loved ones or coping with losing a primary breadwinner. These consequences show the need for more stringent road safety regulations, better vehicle manufacturing standards, and increased awareness among drivers to minimize risks.

Workplace Incidents

Accidents in the workplace are frequently caused by unsafe working conditions, insufficient safety protocols, poor training, or machinery malfunctions. These cases also sometimes result in crippling injuries, lifelong health effects, or even death and impose tremendous physical, emotional, and economic burdens on workers and their families. Many of these accidents could have been avoided if adequate workplace safety precautions had been taken, routine inspections had been performed, and employers had been held responsible. Beyond immediate injuries, victims may never be able to return to work or enjoy the same lifestyle because of permanent impairments, further solidifying the importance of workplace safety and education.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice pertains to health professionals breaching their expected standards of care, which has disastrous consequences for the patient. Misdiagnosis, wrong surgery, inappropriate medication, or just simple negligence may result in serious health complications, long-suffering, or even death. To the families, it is quite profound emotionally when they entrust their loved ones to medical experts only to be harmed. They might also suffer due to a financial burden resulting from extended hospitalization, corrective procedures, or even loss of wages. Such tragedies make it obvious that accountability should be imposed upon the healthcare system, and more improvements should be incorporated in training and policies regarding patient care.

Defective Products

Poorly designed or malfunctioning consumer goods, industrial equipment, and other products are a serious safety hazard. From household appliances causing fires to faulty machinery causing workplace injuries, defective products can result in a variety of tragic accidents, serious injury, or even death. Such incidents often also result in unforeseen medical expenses, long-term health challenges, or emotional trauma for the victims and their families. Companies must be held responsible for ensuring appropriate quality control through proper safety testing. If they do not, lives are irreparably harmed, and accountability should come first in ensuring consumer safety.

Premises Liability

Unsafe property conditions, inadequate maintenance, or hazards such as wet floors, broken staircases, or poor lighting can lead to severe accidents, including slip-and-falls or other injuries. In some instances, these incidents may even become fatal, whereby victims and their families have to be put through physical, emotional, and financial devastation. Property owners and managers have a duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for visitors, tenants, or customers. Breach of such duty may change the life of those concerned, hence vigilance in the upkeep and safety of the property.

Criminal Acts

Victims of intentional acts of violence, such as assault, battery, and other crimes, can suffer severe physical injuries, emotional scars, and even death. The family members of such victims suffer from deep emotional scarring, grieving, and loss that may even be permanent, resulting in financial destruction. Beyond the direct impact, this violence can quickly undermine a sense of safety and trust within the community. It requires addressing tragedies like these not only through the punishment of perpetrators but also through community programs, mental health services, and prevention efforts that reduce violent crime and its devastating impact on individuals and families.

Each case is unique, so working with a skilled wrongful death attorney is critical to identify the best course of action.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Fresno, CA?

The law is pretty straightforward as to who, exactly, has the right to file a wrongful death case in California. According to Section 377.60, a claim may be brought by the following:

• The decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, in the order of priority the law provides.
• If no direct descendants exist, others who might inherit under California’s intestate succession laws, such as parents or siblings, may qualify.
• Individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased, including stepchildren, putative (assumed) spouses, or others, may also qualify in certain cases.

These are tough areas of eligibility to navigate legally. Still, an experienced attorney can look into your situation and confirm whether you have standing to file a wrongful death claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Fresno?

California has a very strict statute of limitations concerning wrongful death claims. You generally have two years from death to file a lawsuit. The time could be different in cases that involve particular circumstances, such as medical malpractice or government entities, where shorter timeframes may apply.

That could be critical in filing the claim on time as evidence, and the accounts of eyewitnesses tend to degrade over time. Prompt consultation with a Fresno wrongful death lawyer can secure your case from missing any deadline.

Damages Recoverable in a Fresno Wrongful Death Case

California law allows one to recover both economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death.

Economic Damages

These include but are not limited to medical bills amassed due to the incident, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support provided by the deceased, and any other fringe benefits that the latter used to shoulder, like health or pension contributions.

Non-Economic Damages

These reflect the emotional and intangible losses suffered by the family, including pain and suffering, loss of companionship, care, and guidance, as well as mental anguish and emotional distress.

Each defendant is only responsible for their proportion of fault in cases involving multiple liable parties. A trusted wrongful death lawyer can assess the proper amount of damages and pursue that on your behalf.

How to Prove a Wrongful Death Case in California

The following are key elements that have to be proven in a successful wrongful death claim:

Duty of Care

The defendant had a duty of care, meaning a legal obligation to prevent harm to others. A duty may be owed in many contexts, such as by doctors to provide competent medical care, by property owners to maintain safe premises, and by motorists to obey the rules of the road. If a defendant breaches such a duty, others are exposed to the risk of harm, which may cause physical injury, financial loss, or emotional trauma. These failures may lead to serious legal and personal consequences for those concerned.

Breach of Duty

Breach of duty means he has failed to meet the standards of care in a given situation by being negligent, reckless, or even acting intentionally. The forms of breach may be of many types, such as running a red light while driving, a mistaken diagnosis by a doctor, or the failure of a property owner to clean up hazardous conditions. It must be an actionable breach- an action directly causing injury to another person or showing serious failure to protect another person from injury, loss, and even death.

Causation

The defendant has to prove that their breach of duty caused the death in question. Causation based on “but-for” must be necessary; harm would never have occurred without the action. Any intervening factors must be critically examined to ensure that other events are not involved in the outcome.

Damages

In case of breach of duty causing death, one expects huge losses to the family of a victim. These are tangible damages such as medical expenses, funeral expenses, and lost income that can bring long-term financial difficulties to the family. In addition, families endure emotional pain and suffering, grief, trauma, and loss of companionship, substantial elements of their personal well-being. Quantifying both these tangible and intangible losses, fair compensation ensures accountability on behalf of the responsible party and helps a family begin life after such a colossal loss.

There has to be proof that accommodates all of these factors, such as evidence from medical reports, accident reports, expert witnesses, and eyewitnesses.

Contact a Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a tragic and life-altering event. You deserve justice, accountability, and experienced support during this challenging time. A trusted Fresno wrongful death attonrey is here to guide you through every step of the legal process.

Time is critical when filing a claim—don’t delay. Contact SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm today at 559-342-2000 or visit us at 2170 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA 93703, United States, for a free consultation. Let us assist you in pursuing the justice and compensation your family is entitled to.

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

Jamie N.

January 2025

In December 2023 a woman completely blew a stop sign and nailed me on my bicycle in Old Fig Garden (Fresno, Ca.). This was my first experience dealing with this type of incident, and due to my injuries it was advised I seek legal representation. Mr. Sarwinder Dhanjan agreed to take my case. He clearly explained my case in a way that easy to understand and assured me that he would fight for a fair conclusion. His team stayed in contact with me throughout the process until its conclusion in October 2024. I was very happy with how his team handled my case and would recommend his team to anyone who is going through a similar situation.

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