Tustin Wrongful Death Lawyer
Skilled Wrongful Death Attorney in Tustin, CA
If a family member recently died because of another party’s negligence or misconduct, it is crucial to speak with a Tustin wrongful death lawyer right away. Whether they died in a vehicle accident on I-5 or in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, your attorney can help you prove fault for the fatal injury and pursue accountability and compensation with a wrongful death claim.
Experienced Wrongful Death Representation in Tustin, CA
The attorneys at Bentley & More LLP have extensive experience representing clients in wrongful death cases in Tustin and the surrounding communities of Orange County. When your family member has died because of another party’s negligence or misconduct, you will naturally have many difficult legal questions that only a Tustin wrongful death attorney can answer.
Our team can provide the guidance you need in this difficult situation. You have a short time in which to build your case, and the right attorney will be an invaluable asset through each step of your proceedings. Bentley & More LLP has years of proven experience handling wrongful death claims throughout California, and we are confident we can guide you and your family to a favorable outcome.
Building a Wrongful Death Case in Tustin
Wrongful death cases effectively take the place of personal injury cases when victims do not survive. The personal representative of the victim’s estate or their closest surviving family member, usually a spouse or adult child, acts as the plaintiff in the wrongful death case against the defendant who caused the fatal injury. A few of the leading causes of wrongful death cases in Tustin include:
- Vehicle accidents. There were 317 victims of accidents injured or killed in Tustin in 2023, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Fatal crashes can result from drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and moving violations. If a driver caused a fatal car accident, your Tustin wrongful death lawyer will be invaluable in helping you gather the evidence needed to prove liability for the fatal crash.
- Slip-and-fall accidents. If your family member suffered a fatal injury in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, then the property owner may be liable for the accident under California’s premises liability laws. If the property owner failed to address a foreseeable safety hazard on their property that caused the fatal injury, they face liability for the victim’s wrongful death.
- Workplace accidents. The California Department of Industrial Relations recorded 419 fatal workplace injuries statewide in 2024. If your family member died in a work-related accident, your family may qualify to receive death benefits from their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, if a specific party caused the fatal incident, you may also have grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
- Defective products. When a defective consumer product causes a fatal injury, the manufacturer could be liable for wrongful death under California’s product liability laws. The plaintiff in this type of wrongful death case must prove the product is defective and the defect caused the victim’s fatal injury.
Regardless of how your family member’s fatal injury happened, if another party is responsible for causing it, then you are likely eligible to file a wrongful death claim with a Tustin personal injury lawyer. Your attorney can help you prove fault for the incident in question and then calculate the total damages you are eligible to claim. Proceeds from a successful wrongful death case can provide a sense of closure and important financial security for your family in your new circumstances.
There is a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death cases in California. This means you must file your wrongful death claim within two years of the fatal accident in question; otherwise, you will lose your chance to hold the defendant accountable for the fatal injury. Your Tustin wrongful death lawyer can gather the evidence needed to prove liability and help you meet the filing deadline for your case.
Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim
The plaintiff in a wrongful death case has the right to seek compensation for various economic and non-economic damages, and in some cases, plaintiffs are also eligible to file survival actions alongside their wrongful death cases. While a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the surviving family’s losses, a survival action seeks compensation for the losses the deceased suffered between their fatal accident and their death.
Economic damages in a wrongful death case may include funeral and burial expenses and the financial support that the family can no longer receive from the victim. The family also has the right to claim compensation for their mental anguish and loss of companionship. A survival action could enable the family to recover compensation for final medical expenses and other economic losses from the deceased’s estate and for the victim’s pain and suffering prior to death.
In the event the death was the result of any illegal misconduct, the defendant may be required to pay punitive damages as well as other compensatory damages. If the facts reveal that the victim contributed to causing their fatal accident in some way, this could diminish the total compensation under California’s pure comparative negligence law. Your attorney can explain any factors that could influence the total amount of compensation your family receives.
The proceeds of a successful wrongful death claim in California typically go to surviving family members and beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate. Bentley & More LLP approaches every wrongful death case with the goal of securing as much compensation as possible for our client. Money cannot replace the victim, but a successful case can help your family manage the economic aftermath of the victim’s unexpected death more easily.
Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Tustin Today
Losing a family member unexpectedly is tragic, and it can also present significant financial challenges to you and your family. It can be difficult to determine what to do in this situation, and one of the most important steps you should take is to hire a wrongful death lawyer. You have a short time to file your case, and the evidence you may need to prove liability may not be obtainable for very long.
The attorneys at Bentley & More LLP have a strong record of successful wrongful death representation in Tustin and the surrounding communities of Orange County. You can trust us to negotiate a settlement if possible or represent you through litigation when necessary. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Tustin wrongful death lawyer and learn how we can assist with your case.
About Tustin, California
Located in historic downtown, the Tustin Area Museum preserves over 150 years of regional history, offering free community exhibits and educational programs. However, severe accidents remain a critical concern across local thoroughfares, with state reports recording 317 victims injured or killed in traffic crashes in Tustin in a single year. In response, municipal authorities are deploying traffic safety grants and targeted enforcement to reduce hazardous driving. These dedicated safety measures demonstrate Tustin’s ongoing commitment to building a safer, more resilient community for all families.
Tustin, CA Wrongful Death Resources
- Wrongful Death Damages in California: What Families Can Recover
- How Long Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take in California?
Client Testimonials
“I can’t thank Bentley & More enough, especially Steve. After my dad’s passing in a car accident, they secured a settlement we are so grateful for. From the start, they made sure we were taken care of, handling everything so we didn’t have to worry. Steve went above and beyond, always there when we needed support, and it was such a relief knowing we were in good hands. If you’re looking for a firm that truly cares, Bentley & More is the one. Highly recommend them!” – Kevin Jimenez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bentley & More LLP Office
Address: 4931 Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 870-3800
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