Wrongful Death

When an automobile accident or other case of negligence or wrongful conduct has caused a death, the personal injury attorneys at the Santa Barbara law firm of Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP will pursue a wrongful death action to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek compensation for the losses suffered by the family of the deceased.

As mentioned in our Personal Injury Overview, the types of damages recoverable in a personal injury case most often include medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for the pain and suffering of the injured party. In a wrongful death case, the family members bringing suit are the injured parties, and they are entitled to compensation for the damages that the death has brought upon them. Recoverable damages include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of household services
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of sexual relations with a spouse or partner
• Loss of training and guidance from a parent

A wrongful death action may be brought by a surviving spouse or domestic partner, or by any surviving children. If the spouse and children are deceased, grandchildren may bring an action. Otherwise, the deceased's next of kin may file a suit. Also, the parents or stepchildren, if they were dependent on the deceased for support, may sue to recover compensation for their damages.

Experienced Attorneys Sensitive to Your Needs

Compensation is perhaps a poor word here, because nothing can truly compensate for the death of a loved one. However, it is not right if the responsible party is not held accountable for the negligent or wrongful conduct which caused the death, and it is not right for the family to further suffer by being burdened with additional expenses. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence or intentional misconduct of another, contact Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP for a free consultation regarding how we may be able to help you and your family in this difficult time.