Losing a loved one unexpectedly in a traumatic accident can inflict a great deal of emotional distress and lasting trauma. At Jacoby & Meyers, we respect what you’re going through and want to offer our deepest condolences.
We know how difficult it can be to accept and grieve the loss of a loved one when you know that someone else is to blame. Pursuing a wrongful death claim in San Francisco may be the only way to move forward with the answers and justice your family deserves.
Begin your wrongful death claim with a free consultation with a local attorney. Contact us at (415) 855-4289. We take calls 24/7 and are here to listen.
Our San Francisco law office is located at 505 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94111.
Clients Trust Jacoby & Meyers When Results Matter Most
- We deliver unparalleled case results. No law firm in California has more wins or higher settlements for a longer period of time. We recently secured $13 million in a wrongful death case against the city and $11.9 million in a wrongful death truck accident case.
- Our legal team has the resources to go up against any defendant, big or small. We are experts in serious automotive accidents and have over 50 years of experience litigating wrongful death cases in California. We’ve been representing clients since 1972.
- Our San Francisco wrongful death attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no fees unless we win. If an insurance company denies liability or coverage for your wrongful death case, we will not charge you any fees for our services.
How Can a San Francisco Wrongful Death Attorney Help Your Family?
After the tragic loss of someone close to you, the only thing you should have to worry about is planning a funeral and memorializing your loved one. Hiring a qualified wrongful death attorney can give you the peace of mind to focus on what matters most. Meanwhile, an experienced professional will handle the complex legal process of pursuing justice for you.
An attorney can help you prove wrongful death by investigating the fatal incident and collecting evidence of fault, such as eyewitness statements and testimony from experts. If your loved one died in a fatal motor vehicle crash in San Francisco, for example, a lawyer can hire crash reconstruction experts to testify.
A lawyer can use the evidence gathered to support an insurance claim or wrongful death lawsuit for your family. Having an attorney speaking on behalf of your deceased loved one and advocating for your family’s rights can ensure an insurance company does not take advantage of you during this difficult and vulnerable time.
What Is Wrongful Death?
California’s definition of wrongful death is a “cause of action for the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another” (California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60). A cause of action refers to a civil suit. Under this law, one or more parties can be held liable, or legally and financially responsible, for causing the death of another person.
“Neglect” or negligence in a wrongful death case can refer to any act or omission that a reasonable and prudent person would not have committed in the same circumstances. For example, a motor vehicle driver is negligent if he or she chooses to text and drive and this results in a fatal pedestrian collision in San Francisco.
A wrongful act can refer to any type of reckless or wanton behavior that displays a disregard for the safety of others. It can also refer to intentional torts or acts of maliciousness, such as someone deliberately causing serious bodily injury or killing another person. In California, these acts can lead to wrongful death actions as well as criminal charges.
Top Causes of Wrongful Death in San Francisco
Your family may have the right to file a wrongful death claim in San Francisco if an individual’s death was caused by a preventable accident. This can refer to a wide range of scenarios, including:
- Motor vehicle accident
- Truck accident
- Pedestrian or bicycle accident
- Workplace accident
- Slip and fall accident
- Dangerous premises incident
- Dog attack
- Negligent security issue
- Defective product
- Medical malpractice
- Physical abuse or neglect
- Act of violence
Unlike a criminal case, establishing a wrongful death claim does not require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant caused the victim’s death. Only a “preponderance of the evidence” is required, meaning evidence showing the claim is “more likely than not to be true.”
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Cause of Action in San Francisco?
State law gives only certain people the right to file a wrongful death claim in San Francisco. In general, first priority goes to the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and grandchildren from a deceased child of the decedent. If these parties do not exist, a putative spouse, child of a putative spouse, stepchild, parent or legal guardian may file (if they can prove they were financially dependent on the decedent).
What Damages Are Available From a Wrongful Death Claim?
At Jacoby & Meyers, we know the death of an individual can never be made right with financial compensation alone. However, we are also aware of the financial struggles that often arise with a wrongful death – especially the death of a family’s breadwinner.
We will work hard to achieve the results that your family deserves, which may include compensation for lost financial support from the decedent, funeral and burial costs, lost inheritance, lost household services, lost love and companionship, and your mental anguish.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is a law in California that requires wrongful death claimants to take legal action within a specified amount of time for a valid claim. California Code of Civil Procedures § 335.1 gives claimants no more than two years from the date of an individual’s death to file, with some exceptions. It is critical to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid accidentally exceeding your time limit and losing the right to file forever.
Consult With a Knowledgeable Wrongful Death Attorney in San Francisco Today
At Jacoby & Meyers, we are passionate in our belief that the wrongfully killed deserve justice. We will work tirelessly on your family’s behalf to get to the bottom of why your loved one died and who can be held legally responsible in San Francisco. We care about our clients and will treat your family like our own.
Contact us today to begin your case with a free, no-pressure consultation with a San Francisco injury lawyer. You can send us an online message or call us anytime at (415) 855-4289.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
