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Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyers

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Jeff Sevey

The death of a loved one is always a heartbreaking, emotionally-charged time for families. Although an expected passing is hard enough, losses due to the carelessness or reckless acts of others can be especially painful. If someone close to you has been killed due to the negligence of another person, contacting a wrongful death lawyer should be your next move.
The mental and emotional stress of being torn from a loved one can be enormous - almost unbearable at times. When the deceased serves as the primary breadwinner for the household, the added financial strain of their departure can often push families to their breaking point.
While healing and taking care of those around you should be priority number one, figuring out how to recover from your losses and plan for the future is never far behind. The wrongful death attorneys at The Sevey Law Firm understand what you are going through. We fight for justice on behalf of those who are suffering and have recouped millions of dollars in damages for wrongful death victims and their families.
If you or someone you know is considering filing a wrongful death claim, our experienced team of professionals can help guide you through the process. Our skilled personal injury attorneys know what it takes to win in this highly-complex area of litigation and take pride in serving our clients with the compassion and understanding necessary during such sensitive times.
Call us today at (916) 788-7100 to setup a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your claim. There are no up-front charges and you never pay anything unless we win your case. Don’t delay! Call us now to get the process started.

$2,250,000 Settlement: Falling Ladder Causes Fatal Car Accident

Our client’s husband was killed when he swerved on the freeway to avoid a ladder that fell out of the back of defendant’s pickup truck. Defendant denied the ladder was his, or that it came out of his truck. Our investigator was able to trace the ladder to the defendant, who had fled the scene. Defendant claims the ladder was stolen on the morning of the accident. Defendant later admitted he lied, and that the ladder did come out of his truck.

Types of Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful deaths can occur in many different ways - some being quite common, while others are unique and can be difficult to comprehend. No matter how it happens, the results are always the same - pain, suffering and an incredible sense of loss for everyone involved.
While not meant to be a definitive list, here are some of the types of incidents we know of:

Although the nature of these incidents varies, one underlying factor is always the same:
Al Life Is Lost Due To The Negligence of Others
Wrongful death cases are tricky to navigate. Although the cause of death is usually obvious, proving the fault or negligence of others can be much more difficult. That is why you need to work with an injury law firm experienced in these types of complex cases. The attorneys at The Sevey Law Firm are experts at building a strong wrongful death case and being able to clearly and definitively prove the source of liability.
From day one our investigative partners go to work securing evidence supporting and validating your claim - Pouring over eyewitness statements, analyzing police and medical reports and, if necessary, utilizing scene reconstruction technology to accurately depict the details of an accident.
This type of tenacity and in-depth analysis is what sets our team of wrongful death lawyers apart from all the others. We know what it takes to create compelling evidence that wins people over and proves where the point of negligence lays.
Do you have questions regarding a wrongful death or accident injury claim? If so, call us at (916) 788-7100 or fill out our easy online form. One of our friendly associates will get back to you ASAP to set up a free consultation regarding your case.
Keep in mind that California has a statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death claim, so the sooner you act the better. Don’t chance missing out on the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us today to learn more.

Compensation for Wrongful Death Claims

One of the biggest areas of confusion when it comes to wrongful death claims is what kind of compensation victims may be entitled to. While the details of each case are unique, there are some general guidelines that can be used to determine what to expect. The majority of losses fall into either one of two categories:

  1. Economic Damages
  2. Non-Economic (or Quality-Of-Life) Damages

Economic Damages

As the name implies, this type of damage covers the loss of financial support a plaintiff experiences due to the death of a loved one. This number can often be difficult to determine as there are a number of complex factors involved in its final calculation.

  • What type of employment did the victim have?
  • What was their average salary?
  • How many working years were left in their career?
  • Were there performance bonuses involved or a chance of promotion in the future?

These are all important questions that our trusted network of accountants, actuaries and economists can use to determine appropriate compensation. When you partner with us, the services of these kinds of professionals are included in your case.
Additionally, economic damages can be claimed for past medical expenses, funeral and burial costs and any “gifts” that the decedent's family may have to go without because of their loss.

Quality-of-Life Damages

While mathematical formulas can be used to calculate the financial losses associated with a death, the emotional tolls are much harder to quantify. Surviving family members are able to apply for compensation in a number of different areas following the loss of a loved one.
These include loss of:

  • Love
  • Companionship
  • Comfort
  • Care
  • Assistance
  • Protection
  • Affection
  • Moral support

Additionally, spouses can claim consortium - or the loss of sexual relations between partners. Children also have a right to ask for damages relating to the loss of training or guidance that a parent inherently provides.
Our injury attorneys understand that no amount of money can replace the void of losing a loved one unexpectedly. But helping our clients to recover damages and provide a secure financial future is another step on the road to recovery.
If you need help determining which of these damages may apply to your situation, call us at (916) 788-7100 and let one of our experienced professionals talk you through the process. We will be happy to answer all your questions and create a plan of action of where to go next.

$750,000 Settlement: Wrongful Death of an 82 Year Old Man

The victim, in this case, was Mr. Castro, an 82-year-old man with stage four prostate cancer. Our clients were his heirs. Mr. Castro had fallen down at a Home Depot store. The defendant who was driving slowly did not see him on the ground and ran over both of his legs. Mr. Castro was eventually placed in an elderly home and passed due to his injuries within five months. Unknown to us and Mr. Castro, he was also suffering from advanced metastasized prostate cancer. We hired a Urologist to estimate his life expectancy if he was to have been able to seek treatment. The timeframe was limited to four years. We settled at mediation for $750,000.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

In the past, laws were much stricter regarding who could file a wrongful death claim - limiting the types of suits to spouses and blood relatives only. However, the courts have recently become much more open as to who can claim these types of losses.
Although it varies on a case-by-case basis, typical entitlements go something like this:

  • Spouses and children of the deceased
  • Parents
  • Siblings (brothers or sisters)
  • Nieces or nephews
  • Grandparents

The recent expansions previously mentioned also include domestic partners and stepchildren.
Basically, anyone who can claim to have been a dependent at the victim’s time of death is eligible to file suit.
The details governing these types of scenarios can get very complicated, so it’s best to seek the expertise of qualified legal counsel before proceeding. The competent professionals at The Sevey Law Firm can help you determine whether or not your claim is valid and guide you through the rules and regulations governing this complex area of law.
Contact us today to learn more and discover the difference working with a seasoned team of top-notch injury attorneys can make.

Choosing a Wrongful Death Attorney

Choosing a skilled wrongful death law firm is paramount in achieving the highest level of compensation for your wrongful death claim. Our firm has the experience and expertise you need to win your case. We take the trust you place in us seriously and work hard to ensure you, and your family, are properly compensated in your time of need.
This is just one example of the type of results we provide for our clients. If you are in need of assistance with a wrongful death case, call us at (916) 788-7100 or fill out this online form to have one of our representatives contact you right away. Time may be running out to file your claim, and a pivotal moment like this is too important to leave to chance.
Contact us today to learn more about all the ways our team of experienced wrongful death lawyers can help. Remember, there is no charge to talk to us, and you will never pay a dime in fees until we win your case. Call now!

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