Westminster Wrongful Death Lawyer
Wrongful Death Attorney in Westminster, CA
The unexpected death of a family member is a tragic experience, but when their death was the result of another party’s actions, it is crucial to consult a Westminster wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Whether they died in a vehicle crash on I-405, in a slip-and-fall accident, or in an accident in their workplace, if another party is responsible, you likely have grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
Experienced Wrongful Death Counsel in Westminster, CA
The attorneys at Bentley & More LLP have an extensive record of successful legal representation in a wide range of injury cases in Westminster, including wrongful death cases. A wrongful death claim functionally replaces the personal injury case the victim could have filed if they had survived, but a wrongful death claim focuses on securing compensation for the damages suffered by the victim’s family.
Our team will carefully review the details of your loved one’s fatal accident and help you determine whether another party is liable for their death. If so, a wrongful death claim shares many procedural similarities with a standard personal injury case, but these cases are inherently challenging in several ways, including the emotional strain of the situation, the potential for liability disputes, and the difficulty you may have in accurately calculating damages.
Building a Wrongful Death Claim in Westminster
The first challenge you must overcome in a wrongful death case is proving fault for the death in question. You must identify the party responsible for causing the victim’s death and prove exactly how they caused it. Once you accomplish this, your attorney can help you prove the full scope of the damages you and your family have suffered. You may also be eligible to file a survival action for the damages the victim suffered between the accident and their death.
If you believe you have grounds to file a wrongful death claim in California, the statute of limitations for filing it is two years, starting on the date the death occurred. If you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, you will lose your chance to hold the defendant accountable and claim compensation. A few of the most common causes of wrongful death claims in Westminster and throughout Orange County each year include:
- Vehicle accidents. The California Office of Traffic Safety recorded 562 injuries and deaths from vehicle crashes in Westminster in 2023. If your family member died in a car accident, your attorney can help you prove fault for the accident and hold the at-fault driver accountable for the fatal results of their negligence.
- Premises liability. If the victim suffered a fatal slip-and-fall or some other fatal accident on someone else’s property, then you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim under California’s premises liability laws. You will need to show that the property owner’s negligence directly resulted in the victim’s fatal accident.
- Workplace accidents. The California Department of Industrial Relations recorded 419 workplace fatalities statewide in 2024. If a family member died on the job, you may be eligible to claim death benefits from their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier, but if a specific party is liable for their death, then you may also have grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
These are only a few of the most commonly cited causes of accidental deaths in Westminster each year. The first step in building any wrongful death claim in California is identifying the defendant who caused the wrongful death and proving how they caused it. The evidence your case requires largely depends on the nature of the fatal incident, and your Westminster wrongful death lawyer can gather the evidence needed to establish liability.
Claiming Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case
The unexpected death of a family member has likely created a difficult financial situation for you and your loved ones. While the proceeds from a successful wrongful death claim are no replacement for the victim, this compensation can be a valuable economic lifeline that helps your family manage the financial aftermath of the victim’s death more easily.
Much like in a standard personal injury case, a wrongful death case provides a legal mechanism for the plaintiff to claim economic and non-economic damages from the defendant. However, the wrongful death claim focuses on securing compensation for the losses suffered by the family of the victim. In some cases, surviving family members also have grounds to file survival actions in tandem with their wrongful death cases.
A survival action seeks compensation for the damages the deceased victim suffered between the fatal accident and their death. For example, this claim could yield compensation for the victim’s final medical expenses, income they were unable to earn during this time, and damages to their estate. A wrongful death claim, on the other hand, seeks compensation for the family’s losses, such as compensation for their mental anguish, lost financial support, and funeral expenses.
Your Westminster wrongful death lawyer can accurately calculate the various types of damages you and your family are eligible to claim from the defendant who caused the victim’s death. Your attorney can also help you resolve any insurance-related issues you face after the fatal accident, as well as any liability disputes raised by the defendant.
Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Westminster Today
An experienced Westminster wrongful death attorney is a crucial asset in this difficult situation. The team at Bentley & More LLP has years of proven experience helping our clients throughout Orange County with a wide range of personal injury cases, including wrongful death claims. We are confident we can help you secure a fair settlement, but we are also ready to represent you in litigation if necessary.
We know you are likely to have many difficult legal questions about your case, and you have limited time to build and file it. During your initial consultation with our team, we will listen to your story and explain the ways we can help. You have a short time in which to file this case, so contact Bentley & More LLP today to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate Westminster wrongful death lawyer.
About Westminster, California
The Asian Garden Mall serves as a cultural anchor for Westminster, fostering vibrant local commerce and community gatherings. However, crowded thoroughfares and high traffic density regularly lead to severe vehicle crashes, contributing to preventable wrongful death incidents across the city. State and local authorities continue implementing targeted traffic safety grants and enforcement campaigns through the Office of Traffic Safety to mitigate regional roadway hazards. These ongoing infrastructure safety initiatives offer a reassuring commitment toward building a safer, more resilient community for all residents.
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
ES