If your family has lost someone because of another party’s negligence, we are deeply sorry. When you are ready, we are here to listen, to explain your options, and to carry the legal weight so you can focus on your family.
In the meantime:
California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 sets out who is statutorily entitled to bring a wrongful death claim. The statute is precise, and order matters. In most cases the closest surviving family members have the right to file. We help families confirm standing before any filing is made.
A legally married spouse, or a registered domestic partner, has the primary right to bring a wrongful death claim under § 377.60.
Los hijos biológicos y legalmente adoptados pueden presentar el reclamo. En algunas circunstancias, los hijastros que dependían económicamente del fallecido también pueden tener legitimación.
Si el fallecido no tiene hijos vivos, los nietos de cualquier hijo fallecido previamente pueden ocupar ese lugar y presentar el reclamo.
Los padres que dependían económicamente del fallecido para su sustento pueden tener legitimación bajo la ley.
A person who in good faith believed they were married to the decedent (a putative spouse), as well as certain other family or household members who were financially dependent, may also be entitled to file.
California law allows two distinct claims arising from a single death. They are often pursued together, but they belong to different parties and recover different categories of loss.
Most cases involve both claims filed together. We coordinate the claims, the family, and, where needed, the probate appointment so nothing is missed.
Las circunstancias varían, pero el marco legal es constante: alguien le debía a su ser querido un deber de cuidado, ese deber fue incumplido y el incumplimiento causó la muerte. Los casos que vemos con más frecuencia en Antioch incluyen:
Colisiones a alta velocidad en el corredor de Hwy 4, incluidos choques de camiones comerciales regidos por regulaciones federales de transporte.
Los cruces en Lone Tree Way, Hillcrest Avenue y las calles de la cuadrícula antigua cerca del centro de Antioch son sitios recurrentes de muertes de peatones.
Choques catastróficos de motocicleta, a menudo relacionados con distracción del conductor, cambios de carril inseguros o vehículos que giran a la izquierda sin ceder el paso.
Construction accidents, equipment failures, and third-party negligence on Antioch jobsites. Workers’ compensation may apply, but a separate civil claim is often available against responsible third parties.
Defectos de vehículos, equipo de seguridad fallido y productos de consumo peligrosos. Los fabricantes pueden ser considerados estrictamente responsables bajo la ley de responsabilidad por productos de California.
Diagnóstico erróneo, errores quirúrgicos, errores de medicación y fallas de monitoreo en hospitales y centros de atención que sirven al área de Antioch.
California recognizes two broad categories of damages in a wrongful death case. The aim is to provide some measure of stability for surviving family members, not to place a value on a person’s life.
California’s deadlines for wrongful death claims are strict. Missing them typically forecloses the claim altogether, regardless of the underlying merits.
From the date of death (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1)
If Caltrans, City of Antioch, or Contra Costa County may be responsible (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2)
Algunos casos (negligencia médica, defectos latentes de productos) implican requisitos adicionales de aviso
The first weeks are not the time to think about lawsuits. But there are a small number of practical steps that protect the family’s legal options when you are ready to consider them.
Insurance companies often move quickly to resolve wrongful death claims, sometimes within days, for a small fraction of what the family is legally entitled to. They know grieving families may not yet understand their rights, who is entitled to file, or the long-term financial losses involved. Please don’t sign anything or accept any check until you have had a private conversation with a wrongful death attorney.
Tratamos de mantener el proceso legal lo más tranquilo posible para la familia. La mayor parte ocurre tras bambalinas; intervenimos directamente solo cuando se deben tomar decisiones.
A confidential conversation, in person or by phone, at no cost. We listen to what happened, answer your questions, and help you understand the family’s options. There is no obligation to retain us.
We obtain the police or CHP report, the Contra Costa County Coroner’s file, autopsy results, witness statements, and any available video. Where appropriate, we engage accident reconstructionists and medical specialists.
Drivers, employers, vehicle owners, manufacturers, property owners, government entities, so the family’s recovery is not capped at a single insurance policy.
Once the picture is complete, we present a comprehensive demand to the responsible insurers and negotiate on the family’s behalf.
If a fair resolution is not offered, we file suit in Contra Costa County Superior Court at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. Most cases still resolve without trial.
Outstanding liens are resolved, and the recovery is allocated among the statutory heirs, by agreement among the family where possible, or by the court where necessary.
More Antioch injury help:
California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 establishes who may file. The surviving spouse or domestic partner, the decedent’s children, and (if there are no children) grandchildren may bring a claim. Parents who were financially dependent, stepchildren, putative spouses, and others who were dependent on the decedent for support may also be entitled to file. We help families confirm standing before any filing is made.
Por lo general, dos años a partir de la fecha de fallecimiento (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). Si una entidad gubernamental como Caltrans, la City of Antioch o Contra Costa County pudiera tener responsabilidad, debe presentarse un reclamo administrativo por escrito dentro de seis meses (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). No cumplir con estos plazos normalmente cierra por completo la posibilidad del reclamo.
A wrongful death claim under § 377.60 is brought by the statutory heirs and does not itself require probate. A separate survival action, which recovers losses the decedent suffered before death, is brought by the personal representative of the estate, which generally does require a probate appointment. We coordinate both with the family and, where needed, with a probate attorney.
California treats wrongful death recoveries as a single lump sum allocated among the heirs based on each person’s individual losses, financial dependency, the closeness of the relationship, and the nature of the support the decedent provided. Allocation is often resolved by agreement among the family. When it cannot be, the court decides.
Multiple parties can be held jointly responsible. We investigate every potentially liable party, drivers, employers, vehicle owners, product manufacturers, property owners, and government entities, so the family’s recovery is not limited by a single insurance policy.
Posiblemente. California reconoce a las parejas domésticas registradas y, en algunas circunstancias, a los cónyuges putativos (personas que de buena fe creían estar casadas). Los hijos, padres que dependían económicamente y otras personas que vivían en el hogar y dependían del fallecido para su sustento también pueden tener legitimación. Podemos explicarle la ley en privado.
California uses pure comparative negligence. A wrongful death recovery can still be pursued even if the decedent shared some responsibility. The award is reduced by the decedent’s percentage of fault rather than barred. Please don’t assume the family has no claim.
When your family is ready, we are here to talk, privately, patiently, and without obligation. There is no fee unless we recover for the family.
Attorney Advertising. Scranton Law Firm, 2450 Stanwell Dr, Concord, CA 94520. Responsible attorney: Christian Scranton, California State Bar #196959. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
