Orange County Wrongful Death Attorney
When you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, the pain and confusion can be overwhelming. At The Reeves Law Group, we understand the profound impact a wrongful death can have on your family.
As your dedicated Orange County wrongful death attorneys, we’re here to provide the compassionate support and expert legal guidance you need during this difficult time.
Why Choose The Reeves Law Group for Your Wrongful Death Case?
With over three decades of experience and more than $250 million recovered for our clients, The Reeves Law Group stands out as a trusted advocate for families in Orange County. Here’s why we’re the right choice for your wrongful death claim:
- Proven Track Record: Our firm has successfully represented countless families throughout Orange County for over 30 years.
- Specialized Expertise: We focus on wrongful death and serious injury cases, giving us in-depth knowledge of California’s complex legal landscape.
- Client-Centered Approach: We understand the emotional toll of losing a loved one and provide empathetic, personalized support throughout your case.
- No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- Recognition: Featured in Newsweek’s Top 10 Trial Lawyers, our reputation speaks for itself.
Don’t face this challenging time alone. Call us today at (714) 550-6000 for a free consultation. Let us help you seek justice and secure the compensation your family deserves.
Understanding Wrongful Death in California
A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to another party’s negligence or intentional harmful actions. In Orange County, these cases can arise from various situations, including:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: From car crashes to truck collisions, these are the most common causes of wrongful death in Orange County.
- Medical Malpractice: When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, resulting in a patient’s death.
- Workplace Accidents: Especially in high-risk industries where safety regulations are neglected.
- Product Liability: Deaths caused by defective or unsafe products.
- Criminal Acts: Including intentional acts of violence leading to death.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Orange County?
Under California law, specific individuals have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Children of the deceased
- Grandchildren (if the deceased’s children are also deceased)
- Other dependents who would be entitled to the deceased’s property by intestate succession
The Reeves Law Group can help determine if you’re eligible to file a claim and guide you through the process.
Examples of WrongFul Death Cases
- The OJ Simpson Civil Trial: Perhaps one of the most famous wrongful but intentional death cases is the OJ Simpson civil trial. Simpson, a former football player, sports broadcaster, and actor, was acquitted on criminal charges in 1995 for the slaying of Nicole Brown Simpson, his ex-wife, and Ronald Goldman, an acquaintance. However, in a subsequent civil trial in 1996, Simpson was found responsible for their deaths, and the victims’ families were awarded $33.5 million in damages. O.J. Simpson trial | Summary, Lawyers, Judge, Dates, Verdict, & Facts | Britannica
- IKEA Dresser Incident: A wrongful death case was brought against IKEA due to defective products when a toddler was tragically crushed to death by an IKEA dresser that tipped over in 2017. This case led to a $46 Million Settlement and a product recall by IKEA in 2020 and brought attention to the dangers posed by furniture tip-over, prompting measures to enhance product safety. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794281632/ikea-reaches-46-million-settlement-over-death-of-toddler-killed-by-dresser-tip-o
Past Client Testimonials For Our Firm
“When my father was killed in a car accident from a drunk driver it felt like my whole world collapsed on me. It was the most stressful time in my life and it was a big blur. The whole thing took longer than I expected but the outcome was much more than I expected. I would recommend Robert Reeves to anyone who has a personal injury matter and needs serious help.”
Steven A. via Avvo
Review Rating: 5 / 5
Date Published: 03-08-2022
Additional Reviews
Proving Liability in a Wrongful Death Case
Establishing liability in a wrongful death case requires proving four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty through negligence or intentional harm.
- Causation: This breach directly led to the death.
- Damages: The death resulted in quantifiable damages to the surviving family members.
Our experienced attorneys at The Reeves Law Group have the skills and resources to investigate your case thoroughly, gather compelling evidence, and build a strong argument for liability.
Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases
While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, a successful wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and a sense of justice. Potential damages include:
- Economic Damages:
- Lost future income and benefits
- Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
- Funeral and burial costs
- Non-Economic Damages:
- Loss of love, companionship, and guidance
- Pain and suffering of the surviving family members
- Loss of consortium for a surviving spouse
The Reeves Law Group will fight tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for all applicable damages.
Time Limits for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
The general statute of limitations for plaintiff’s wrongful death claims in California is two years from the date of the deceased person’s death based on California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 CCP. However, there are exceptions:
- Government Entities: Claims against government entities must be filed within six months.
- Medical Malpractice: The deadline can be as short as one year from the date the injury was discovered.
- Minor Children: Minors may have until their 18th birthday to file a claim.
Don’t risk losing your right to compensation. Contact The Reeves Law Group immediately to ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe.
What is “Survival Action?”
A survival action is a legal claim seeking compensation for the deceased’s pain, suffering, and losses between injury and death. Unlike wrongful death claims that compensate survivors, survival actions are filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate, continuing a lawsuit the deceased could have pursued if alive.
Key points:
- Filed by the estate’s executor or administrator
- Compensates for the deceased’s pre-death suffering
- Distinct from wrongful death claims
- Involves the deceased’s estate, executor, defendant, and court
- Aims to provide financial restitution for the deceased’s experiences
The process involves the executor managing the claim, alleging the defendant’s responsibility, and filing in court to compensate the estate for the deceased’s pre-death suffering.
How The Reeves Law Group Can Help
When you choose The Reeves Law Group as your Orange County wrongful death attorney, you’re gaining a dedicated legal team that will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
- Gather and preserve crucial evidence to support your claim
- Handle all communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
- Prepare your case for trial if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached
- Provide compassionate support and clear communication throughout the entire process
We understand that no legal action can bring back your loved one, but we believe in holding negligent parties accountable and helping families secure the financial stability they need to move forward.
How to Prove a Wrongful Death?
When you work with us for a wrongful death case, we become your advocate and support system, guiding you through complex legal proceedings while offering compassion for your loss. Our primary goal is to secure justice and fair compensation for you.
Consider a scenario where a family loses a loved one in a fatal car accident caused by a negligent driver. A wrongful death-specialist attorney helps navigate legal complexities, allowing the family to focus on grieving and healing.
Throughout the case, a skilled attorney such as our firm takes on various responsibilities:
- Conducting comprehensive investigations to gather extensive proof of the incident and liability
- Serving as legal representation to advocate for your rights
- Evaluating the case’s strength
- Negotiating with insurance companies or opposing parties for a fair settlement
- Providing expert representation in court if litigation becomes necessary
We’d conduct a thorough investigation, gathers evidence of negligence, represents the family in insurance negotiations, and, if necessary, takes the case to court. Their expertise in these areas aims to build a strong case and secure maximum compensation for the bereaved family
Are Wrongful Death Damages Taxable?
Money recovered from one of these lawsuits is usually tax-free, except for punitive damages and compensation for lost wages, which are taxable. Compensatory damages like medical bills, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship are non-taxable and don’t need to be reported as income on personal tax returns.
CONTACT US REGARDING A WRONGFUL DEATH CASE
If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Orange County, don’t face this challenging time alone. The Reeves Law Group is here to provide the expert legal representation and compassionate support you need.
Our law office has one of the highest-powered wrongful death attorneys in Orange County and perhaps California, and he understands the nature of these tragic and complex lawsuits, and has helped numerous clients through the difficult circumstances brought about by these tragic losses.
If you have lost a loved one to a fatal accident, you may seek compensation for your loss. Call (714) 550-6000 or contact us for a free immediate consultation regarding your potential civil suit and monetary compensation that may be available.
Let The Reeves Law Group fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves. Together, we can honor your loved one’s memory and secure your family’s future.
Our law office serves Orange County, including Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Westminster, and surrounding communities. We extend our services to victims of personal injury in surrounding areas of Southern California.
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