Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyers
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Trusted Wrongful Death Attorneys in Sacramento
Losing a family member is one of the most painful experiences a person can have in life. This is especially so when the death happens because of someone else’s carelessness or intentional misconduct. Grieving is hard enough as it is, and on top of that, some surviving family members often face significant financial instability, too. If this is the reality you face, it can benefit you to speak with experienced Sacramento wrongful death lawyers.
Turn to Guenard & Bozarth, LLP
As Northern California’s premier personal injury law firm, Guenard & Bozarth, LLP, is proud to represent and support families in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt, Lodi, Stockton, and the surrounding communities.
Our lead attorneys, Glenn Guenard and Ross Bozarth, personally meet with every family we represent. Their involvement in every phase of the cases they handle is unmatched and sets them apart from many other firms. It’s this diligence that allows them to make sure that your matter receives the attention it deserves.
Every case is unique, and past outcomes don’t influence or guarantee future results. Still, you can trust our team to bring dedication, care, compassion, and accuracy to your case to get fair compensation for you and your loved ones.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Sacramento
A wrongful death claim is a civil action started by the survivors of an individual whose death was caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another. Unlike criminal proceedings, which focus on punishment, a civil claim focuses on providing financial compensation to those left behind. These cases often arise from:
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products
- Premises liability issues
The legal environment in Sacramento requires a detailed understanding of the local court system. Consider that during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, superior courts across the Golden State processed 40,102 unlimited civil cases concerning motor vehicle personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death.
Of these cases, 1,901 of these filings took place in Sacramento County. If you’re in a position to pursue a wrongful death case filed with the Sacramento County Superior Court on 6th Street, you need a legal strategy built on precision and comprehensive evidence gathering.
Statutory Basis: California’s Wrongful Death Laws
California law is very specific regarding who is allowed to file a legal claim following a loved one’s death. The Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 allows the following individuals to seek a cause of action:
- The deceased person’s surviving spouse or domestic partner
- The deceased person’s children
- The person who can inherit by intestate succession can inherit the deceased’s property if the deceased didn’t have a spouse or children.
- Other people who relied on the deceased for financial support, like a partner from a marriage that wasn’t legally valid or stepchildren, under specific financial circumstances
In most instances, California’s wrongful death laws give survivors two years from the date of the death to initiate legal action. Failure to file within this window generally results in the permanent loss of the right to seek compensation.
Categories of Recoverable Damages
The financial impact of a sudden death can be devastating. Data indicates that in 2024, California experienced 25,157 injury deaths. Compensation in these cases is generally divided into two main categories — economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses that the estate or heirs have suffered, such as:
- The funeral and burial costs associated with laying a loved one to rest
- Medical expenses from any hospital or emergency room visit incurred by the deceased prior to their passing
- Lost financial support, like the income the deceased would’ve reasonably earned and provided to their family throughout their lifetime
- Loss of services, like the value of household tasks or childcare, that the deceased performed
Non-economic damages cover the intangible losses experienced by survivors, including:
- The absence of the deceased’s love, community, and emotional support
- The loss of consortium, specifically relating to the loss of a spouse’s intimacy and partnership
- The missing mentorship and training that a parent provides to their children
Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
The aftermath of a fatal accident involves more than emotional recovery. It involves complex interactions with insurance companies, law enforcement, and potentially aggressive defense attorneys. Hire a wrongful death lawyer to protect your family’s future and navigate these hurdles.
A dedicated Sacramento wrongful death attorney manages every aspect of the litigation process. By doing so, they allow your family to take time to focus on healing.
This advocacy includes evidence preservation, in which your lawyer can secure accident reports from the Sacramento Police Department or the California Highway Patrol. They can also communicate with insurers who frequently attempt to downplay payouts or shift blame to the decedent.
Ultimately, your attorney can present a compelling case before a judge or jury if a fair settlement can’t be reached. They can do so by knowing the nuances of local negligence standards and following the specific procedural rules of Northern California courts.
Navigate the Legal Process With Guenard & Bozarth, LLP
From the initial investigation to the final resolution, the path to justice follows several defined stages. After the initial filing of the complaint in the Sacramento County Superior Court, the discovery phase begins. This involves the exchange of information, depositions of witnesses, and the review of physical evidence.
Whether the incident involved a negligent driver or a dangerous condition on a commercial property, the burden of proof remains with the plaintiffs to demonstrate that the defendant breached a duty of care and directly caused the death.
At Guenard & Bozarth, LLP, our commitment to Sacramento families is rooted in professional excellence and compassionate service. We provide the legal resources necessary to challenge powerful interests and seek a resolution that reflects the true value of the life lost. While no amount of money can replace a loved one, a successful claim provides the stability needed to face the future without the added burden of financial ruin.
Contact Compassionate Legal Support in California Today
Insurance companies often resist accountability in wrongful death cases, so the Guenard & Bozarth, LLP, team uses its skill and resolve to confront insurers that refuse fair, good-faith compensation. When your family is facing the aftermath of a wrongful death, we stand ready to pursue the justice you’re entitled to. Contact our office to discuss your rights and explore your legal options under California law.
Sacramento Practice Areas
Premises Liability
INJURY PRACTICE AREAS
VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
We will promptly investigate your car, motorcycle or truck crash to pursue maximum damages.
INJURIES ON PROPERTY
Wrongful Death
PERSONAL INJURY
We fight back when legitimate claims are unfairly denied by insurance companies.
INSURANCE BAD FAITH
Bad faith litigation is becoming more common as the insurance industry continues to engage in dishonest practices that trample the rights of policyholders.
INSURANCE COMPANIES KNOW US BECAUSE THEY’VE PAID OUR CLIENTS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
$2.9
MILLION
CAR ACCIDENT INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth llp obtained a $2,962,903 jury verdict in the Sacramento County Superior Court for plaintiff David Schoonover, who suffered head and neck injuries and fractures in a head-on accident on Roseville Road in Roseville on July 22, 2012
$300
THOUSAND
HAIR SALON INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth LLP recently settled a case for $300,000 involving a hair weave that went terribly wrong. Our client was a young lady, and aspiring model, who experienced pressure necrosis from a tight weave and it changed her life.
$500
THOUSAND
SLIP & FALL INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth LLP recently settled a slip and fall case for $500,000 a couple weeks before trial. The client slipped and fell on a wet piece of cardboard in a grocery store and sustained a serious shoulder injury that required surgery.
$300
THOUSAND
NEGLIGENCE INJURY
On February 13, 2013 Maricela, a Certified Nursing Assistant presented to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Emergency Room with complaint of neck and back pain. She was diagnosed with a neck strain and was given Ibuprofen and instructed to return if her symptoms did not subside.
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