Did you lose a family member because of another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct in Orange County, California? An Orange County wrongful death lawyer at Fielding Law can explain your family’s legal options and help you pursue accountability. Contact us at 833.88.SHARK for a free consultation.
Fielding Law is a boutique personal injury firm that provides compassionate guidance, clear communication, and ethical legal representation. Our attorneys understand that grieving families need patience and straightforward information, not pressure. We take the time to listen, answer questions, and help clients make informed decisions at each stage of the case.
Why Hire Fielding Law for My Family’s Wrongful Death Claim in Orange County, CA?
A wrongful death case can require a family to discuss deeply personal losses while dealing with insurance companies, legal deadlines, and financial uncertainty. The attorney you choose should be prepared to handle the legal process with care, professionalism, and respect.
At Fielding Law, we focus on quality over volume. Our boutique approach allows us to understand each family’s circumstances, concerns, and goals. We provide attentive service rather than treating clients like case numbers.
Our Orange County personal injury attorneys bring 33 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $98 million for injured clients and families. Every wrongful death case depends on its own facts, evidence, and available insurance coverage.
Our legal team explains the process in plain language and provides consistent updates. We aim to reduce confusion so that your family can focus on grieving and supporting one another. Contact Fielding Law at 833.88.SHARK for a free consultation with an Orange County wrongful death lawyer.
What Is Wrongful Death in California?
A wrongful death claim is a civil action that may arise when a person dies because of another party’s wrongful act or neglect. California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 identifies the people who may have the right to bring this type of claim, including a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other qualifying individuals.
Wrongful death claims may result from incidents such as:
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian or bicycle collisions
- Dangerous property conditions
- Defective products
- Workplace or construction incidents
- Acts of violence
- Other forms of negligence or misconduct
A wrongful death case is separate from any criminal prosecution related to the death. The purpose of the civil claim is generally to compensate eligible survivors for legally recognized losses. A criminal case, by comparison, is brought by the government and focuses on whether a person committed a crime.
Liability is not automatic simply because a death occurred. The family must generally establish that the defendant’s wrongful or negligent conduct caused the death and the resulting damages.
An Orange County wrongful death attorney can investigate the circumstances, determine which legal standards may apply, and identify the parties who should be included in the claim.
How Much Is My Orange County Wrongful Death Case Worth?
There is no standard value for an Orange County wrongful death case. The potential recovery depends on the relationship between the deceased and the surviving family members, the financial support the person provided, the evidence of liability, and the full effect of the loss.
Factors that may influence a case’s value include:
- The deceased person’s age, health, occupation, and earning history
- The income and financial support the person likely would have provided
- The value of household services the person performed
- Funeral and burial expenses
- The relationship between the deceased person and each claimant
- The loss of companionship, guidance, care, and protection
- The strength of the evidence against the responsible party
- Whether the deceased person shared responsibility for the incident
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- Whether the case settles or proceeds to trial
A wrongful death evaluation often requires more than adding bills and receipts. Some losses extend years into the future and may require financial projections. Employment records, tax documents, benefit information, and expert analysis may help establish the value of lost financial support.
What Damages Are Available for the Family of an Orange County Wrongful Death Victim?
California wrongful death damages may include both economic and non-economic losses suffered by eligible surviving family members.
Economic damages address measurable financial losses associated with the death.
Depending on the circumstances, they may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Financial support the deceased person would likely have contributed
- Lost employment benefits
- The value of household services
- Other qualifying financial losses
The period used to calculate future financial support may depend on the deceased person’s expected life span or the claimant’s expected life span, whichever is shorter. The calculation must be based on evidence rather than speculation.
Non-economic damages address the personal and relational effects of losing a family member.
They may include:
- Loss of the deceased person’s love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support
- Loss of training and guidance
- Loss of consortium (where applicable)
These losses do not have a fixed dollar value. Their evaluation often depends on the nature of the relationship, the family’s shared life, and the role the deceased person played.
Our Orange County personal injury lawyers can gather the records, testimony, and other evidence needed to present these losses clearly.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Orange County?
Fielding Law handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, the attorney’s fee is calculated as an agreed-upon percentage of the compensation recovered for the family that is paid if the firm wins a recovery.
A contingency fee arrangement can help families obtain legal representation without taking on an upfront attorney’s fee during an already difficult time. Our attorneys can explain the arrangement and answer your questions during a free consultation. We want every client to understand the terms before deciding how to proceed.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If My Loved One Was Partly at Fault for Wrongful Death in California?
Possibly. California generally follows a pure comparative fault system. This means a family may still be able to recover compensation when the deceased person shared responsibility for the fatal accident. However, the recovery may be reduced according to the percentage of fault assigned to the deceased person.
For example, if a family’s wrongful death damages total $500,000, but the deceased person is found 20% responsible for the accident, then the recoverable amount may be reduced by 20%, leaving $400,000.
Insurance companies may argue that the deceased person’s actions caused or contributed to the incident. However, an insurer’s allegation does not determine legal responsibility.
A wrongful death attorney in Orange County can review accident reports, photographs, video recordings, witness testimony, physical evidence, and expert analysis. This investigation may show that the deceased person had little or no responsibility or that multiple defendants contributed to the death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
California generally imposes a two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit based on a person’s death caused by another party’s wrongful act or neglect. The limitation period commonly begins on the date of death.
However, the standard deadline does not apply to every case. For example, claims against a government entity may require the family to submit an administrative claim within a much shorter period before filing a lawsuit. Missing that preliminary deadline can affect the family’s ability to pursue the case in court.
Families should not wait until the end of the limitation period to seek legal guidance. Evidence can become more difficult to obtain as time passes. Surveillance footage may be erased, damaged vehicles or products may be repaired or discarded, and witnesses’ memories may fade.
An Orange County wrongful death attorney can evaluate the circumstances and identify the deadlines that may govern the claim. Because exceptions are highly fact-specific, families should not assume they have two full years without receiving an individual assessment.
Contact Our Compassionate Orange County Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
The death of a loved one can leave a family facing grief, unanswered questions, and unexpected financial strain. Although a legal claim cannot undo the loss, it may provide a way to pursue accountability and compensation from those responsible.
Fielding Law is a boutique personal injury firm that prioritizes quality representation, personal attention, and straightforward guidance. We approach wrongful death cases with professionalism, patience, and respect for each family’s circumstances. Our legal team will listen to your concerns, explain the available options, and help you make informed decisions without pressure.
Call 833.88.SHARK to schedule a free consultation with an Orange County wrongful death attorney. We are here to provide compassionate legal guidance when your family needs it.