Orange County Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is a tragedy that can be made even more devastating if someone else caused or negligently contributed to the death. Negligence is the failure to act with reasonable care, and it can entitle surviving family members to financial compensation if it is involved in a loss of life in California.

Find out if you have a wrongful death case, as well as how our Orange County wrongful death lawyer can help your family during this difficult time. Please contact The Law Office of Stephen Fredkin today.

Why Choose Our Orange County Wrongful Death Lawyer?

• Attorney Stephen Fredkin has more than two decades of experience handling wrongful death cases.
• He is a trial attorney who thoroughly analyzes and prepares each case as if it will go to trial.
• Stephen is a compassionate lawyer who cares about the clients that he represents.
• Our law firm has been successful in more than 90 percent of the cases that we have handled.
• We accept most wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not charge attorney’s fees unless we win.

What Is Wrongful Death?

The legal definition of wrongful death in California is one person losing his or her life as a result of another person’s legal fault, such as negligence, medical malpractice or malicious acts of wrongdoing. A wrongful death lawsuit enables surviving family members to pursue financial compensation for the losses suffered in relation to the death, such as loss of consortium, lost wages and mental anguish.

Although no amount of money can make up for your devastating loss, a lawsuit can bring you justice, a form of closure and the ability to move forward. Your family may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim in Orange County if there is proof that one or more parties caused or contributed to the fatal injury.

California Wrongful Death Laws

For a wrongful death claim to succeed in California, the claimant must obey certain laws and statutes. Our wrongful death lawyer can help you with this task as your legal representative. Some of the most important laws to know in California are:

• The deadline to file, or statute of limitations. There is a deadline of two years from the date of the decedent’s death to file a wrongful death claim in California. Missing this deadline generally means giving up the right to recover compensation.
• Rules on who may file. In California, state law allows a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and/or grandchildren to file a wrongful death claim.
• The burden of proof. The burden of proof is with the plaintiff to establish that the defendant is more likely to be at fault than not at fault (a preponderance of the evidence).

Navigating all of California’s wrongful death laws can be easier with assistance from an experienced and knowledgeable attorney in Orange County. Attorney Stephen can make sure that your family has everything you need for the most efficient and effective claim possible.

The Importance of Using a Trial-Tested Attorney

Attorney Stephen Fredkin is a certified trial attorney. This means that he has the ability to take a wrongful death lawsuit to trial. Although most claims settle at the insurance level, the ability to go to trial can improve the way that an insurance company treats your claim. Insurance providers are more likely to offer higher settlements and less likely to engage in bad-faith practices if you have a trial attorney by your side.

Our trial lawyer hopes to support your family with legal services such as investigating the fatal accident, identifying the defendant(s), preparing to go to trial, filing a lawsuit, hiring experts to testify, thoroughly examining witnesses, negotiating with insurance companies and fighting for maximum financial compensation on your family’s behalf. If your wrongful death lawsuit does need to go to trial, Attorney Stephen has what it takes to effectively represent you before a judge or jury.

Do You Have a Wrongful Death Claim in Orange County? Find Out Today

If you recently lost someone that you loved in an unexpected accident or due to the criminal or wrongful acts of someone else, please contact The Law Office of Stephen Fredkin as soon as possible for a free initial consultation. We hope to help you and your family fight for the justice that your loved one deserves during this difficult time.