Modesto Wrongful Death Lawyers

Dedicated Representation in California’s Central Valley

Wrongful death is defined as “the death of a person caused by the conduct or negligence of another.” A wrongful death lawyer knows the claim is not based on damages to the deceased but rather on the surviving spouse, family members, or even parents.

A wrongful death claim is intended to recover expenses in the absence of the deceased. This includes:

• Loss of salary
• Health benefits
• Pain and suffering

It also includes other factors that place burdens on the surviving family members or “distributes.”

If you believe your loved one’s death was preventable, we encourage you to reach out to our Modesto wrongful death lawyers for a free consultation. We can discuss your legal rights and inform you of your options. With over 30 years of experience, Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC is ready to advocate tirelessly for you and your family.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death refers to a lawsuit that alleges the victim was killed as a result of the negligent conduct or misdeeds of another.

Often, wrongful death suits arise as a result of:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Dangerous or defective products or drugs

However, a wrongful death claim can arise from any accident or incident caused by negligence or intentional act that led to the death of a victim. Generally speaking, California wrongful death lawsuits must satisfy the following elements to be proven in court:

• Duty of care: The defendant owed a duty of care, meaning they had an obligation to act in a reasonable manner to ensure the safety of the deceased;
• Breach of duty: The defendant breached that duty of care in some manner;
• Causation: The breach led to the accident or injuries that caused the death; and
• Damages: The death resulted in losses to the plaintiffs.

Wrongful Death Vs. Criminal Charges

Many incidents that form the basis for a wrongful death action also lay the groundwork for the filing of criminal charges. However, it is important to emphasize that the two are entirely separate actions that proceed independently and have no effect on the other. The only remedy for a party that prevails in a wrongful death claim is monetary compensation, whereas a criminal case may result in jail time or fines for the defendant.

Wrongful Death Claim Example

Easily one of the most famous examples of a successful yet complicated wrongful death claim was the one filed against O.J. Simpson for the murder of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. The criminal prosecution of O.J. Simpson made international headlines, and he was controversially acquitted of the charges. Not being found guilty in criminal court does not make one immune to being held liable in civil court, though. The Brown and Goldman families sued O.J. Simpson and his estate for the wrongful deaths of their loved ones and won more than $33 million in damages.

How is it that O.J. was found not guilty in criminal court but effectively “found guilty” in civil court? The seemingly contradictory case results are possible due to the different evidential burdens in criminal and civil courts. When trying to convince a crime, guilt must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt,” but a civil jury or judge can be satisfied to reach a ruling on just a “preponderance of evidence.”

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Although the reality of a situation may be that many people were dependent on a decedent, California law permits only certain plaintiffs to file a wrongful death claim. This is most typically:

• The decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner
• The children of the decedent or their children if deceased
• Any person entitled to share in the decedent’s estate if the decedent died intestate

Under certain conditions, others may also have the standing to sue. Most importantly, the personal representative of the decedent may sue on behalf of the estate.

Damages for Wrongful Death

Only certain damages can be collected by the relatives or dependents of the deceased in a wrongful death claim. Most often this includes the loss of society, care and comfort, and financial support. Other damages, such as lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering and where appropriate, punitive damages, are recoverable by the estate under what is known as a “survivor’s action.”

Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

California law requires most wrongful death lawsuits to be filed within two years of the death of the decedent, but a claim against a government entity must be filed within six months. If you do not file a claim within the allotted time period, you will essentially lose your right to sue and you be unable to recover compensation for your loved one's death. For this reason, it is important to get in touch with a skilled wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to protect your family's rights.

It Is Important to Seek Representation Early

Hiring a wrongful death lawyer in the immediate aftermath of a loved one's death may seem unimportant in the face of such a severe loss. But hiring the right lawyer is a critical decision that may dramatically affect the lives of the surviving spouse and family members.

Unfortunately, the person or party responsible for causing the death is frequently not held accountable due to the failure of surviving family members to institute prompt legal action. All too often, critical evidence is destroyed in the days and weeks following a fatal accident, and complex state laws governing wrongful death may eliminate the possibility of recovery or bar legal action when certain legal criteria or time limitations are not satisfied.

Surviving family members are strongly urged to consult with a wrongful death lawyer immediately.​

How Our Modesto Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help

At Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC, we understand that the loss of a family member or loved one caused by negligence is a tragedy that financial compensation can never undo. However, we take these cases to heart when it comes to collecting just and fair compensation.

If you've been affected by a wrongful death, your well-being comes first; your rights are next. We have more than 30 years of experience representing the families of victims. Our Modesto wrongful death lawyers have successfully represented and fought for clients in numerous related cases. We will fight until the end in our efforts to make sure you receive full compensation for your losses. We will even go to trial to take on major corporations and insurance companies if necessary.

Give us a call at (916) 884-6554 or reach out to us using our online contact form to request a free consultation today.