Oakland wrongful death attorney at GJEL can help with your lawsuit and get you fair and favorable compensation for the loss of your loved one. We’ve won over $50 Million for our clients in wrongful death cases alone, and you only pay after we’ve won. This page will explain what to expect during the process and how much you might expect to receive.

Why GJEL Wrongful Death Lawyer In Oakland

A wrongful death lawsuit is typically brought on by the surviving family members of someone who was killed in an accident. At GJEL, we specialize in Oakland wrongful death cases and have been helping people get through this difficult time since 1972.

If someone you love was killed due to the negligence of someone else you should call GJEL wrongful death attorney in Oakland, CA today.

Don’t wait to pick up the phone and don’t talk to the insurance company as you may be entitled to more compensation than they offer you.

About Our Oakland Wrongful Death Law Firm

GJEL Accident Attorneys is the Oakland, California-based wrongful death law firm you want to fight for your case.

Since 1972 our Oakland wrongful death attorneys have been helping families after losing a loved one.

After an accident, it’s hard to know what to do but in California, you may be entitled to compensation for the accident.

At GJEL, we’re here every step of the way to support your family.

If you’re looking to hire an Oakland wrongful death lawyer for a potential wrongful death case, you should explore your options. This decision will have a lifelong impact on your life. Here are some questions to ask when hiring an attorney.

What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death is a civil lawsuit in which someone is killed due to another’s misconduct, negligence, or responsibility. The family members of the passed typically bring on the suit if criminal charges fail.

In California, CCP section 377.60 allows spouses, domestic partners, or children to file for damages, which include but are not limited to funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.

Wrongful Death Elements

Proving negligence or intent is paramount to cementing the validity of a wrongful death suit. This relates to “breach of duty,” or when someone fails to complete actions they had a duty to do.

Your wrongful death attorney Oakland will then prove that this breach of duty was what caused the death, and that damages were sustained by the loved ones (burial costs, loss of income, etc.).

Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Oakland

The bulk of our wrongful death suits are caused by, car accidents and medical malpractice. Other common causes include:

  • Product defects
  • Abuse and neglect of a caretaker
  • Birth injuries
  • Drowning
  • On-the-job fatalities
  • Criminal activities
  • Semi-truck accidents (different equipment and liabilities involved than auto accidents)
  • Pedestrian accidents

Compensation for Wrongful Death

California wrongful death law permits plaintiffs to be compensated for both economic and non-economic damages.

  • Economic damages:
  • Medical bills
  • Loss of potential lifetime income
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of gifts and benefits that would have been received

Non-economic damages:

  • Society and companionship
  • Love, care, protection, and moral support

Case details will dictate what damages are actually paid out. That’s why it’s important to have the best wrongful death lawyer in Oakland to secure the most favorable outcome for you and your loved ones. We are experts in California wrongful death laws.

Reasons To Hire a Local Wrongful Death Lawyer, Oakland

If someone you love was killed due to someone else’s negligence you may need to hire an experienced serious injury and wrongful death attorney. Here are a few of the reasons you should hire a local Oakland fatal accident lawyer.

Courts Differ From County to County.

If the accident happened in Oakland, you want to hire a local Oakland wrongful death attorney with experience in courts. Different demographics can make up different juries and having a law firm on your side with a successful track record in the area can really make or break your case. We’re experts in handling cases in and around Alameda County.

Experience Counts.

When you retain a firm like GJEL Accident Attorneys you can rest assured knowing that we have recovered millions of dollars in cases for clients killed in Oakland wrongful death accidents. We know how to successfully take a claim for wrongful death to trial and win. While we can’t guarantee any results or future outcomes of cases, we do have many strong results with a 99% success rate.

Case Details are Important.

By working with a wrongful death attorney in Oakland you get the experience of someone who knows the area well. Many times the success of a case comes down to the small details. Working with an experienced attorney, in Oakland, CA, can make all of the difference between winning and losing a wrongful death case.

We Will Come to You.

Whether you need to meet with us at Oakland medical center, another hospital, or your home, we will come to you. We know that losing a loved one is the most traumatic time in your life. We will work with you to help make the process as smooth as we can. There’s no need to stop by our office. We’re standing by day and night ready to help you.

About Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Oakland

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Oakland?

The laws pertaining to who can file a wrongful death suit are based on California-specific laws. Typically the surviving family members can bring a wrongful death action. You can read more about who can file a wrongful death lawsuit here.

How Do I Know if I have a Case?

Every wrongful death case is different and will result in different settlement amounts. It’s best to speak with an experienced wrongful death lawyer, in Oakland, CA the right way to help you look through the facts of your case. Since the facts vary greatly from case to case it’s important to properly investigate the case before filing a lawsuit.

Generally speaking, if there is clear liability and insurance available you are likely to have a strong case. It’s important to get city specific Oakland wrongful death legal advice for your potential case. We specialize in local Negligence claims.

Average Settlement / Damages in an Oakland Wrongful Death Case

Unfortunately, there is no real average settlement or verdict for Oakland’s wrongful death cases. However, GJEL Oakland wrongful death attorneys have recovered over $950 Million + for our clients. We specialize in wrongful death cases and can help you to maximize the value of your case.

You can view some of our recent wrongful death cases results here.

Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable?

In most cases, a wrongful death settlement in California will not be subject to federal taxes. However, this is a complicated situation which means you should read our full take on if wrongful death settlements are taxable in California here.

Contact GJEL’s Wrongful Death Lawyer in Oakland

  • GJEL has maintained a 99% success rate for our clients since 1972.
  • GJEL has handled hundreds of complex wrongful death cases.
  • GJEL has substantial resources available to properly fund your case.
  • We have recovered over $1 Billion Dollars for our clients.
  • We regularly earn awards and were recently rated a top law firm by US News & World Report.
  • Oakland wrongful death representation is our speciality with over 40 years of experience

CALIFORNIA OFFICE LOCATIONS NEAR YOU

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can sue for wrongful death in California?

According to CCP 377.60, the parties eligible to file a wrongful death suit include the

  • Children
  • Spouse
  • Domestic Partner
  • Legal guardians of deceased dependents
  • Minors living with the deceased for the previous 180 days and relying on the deceased for at least half of their support

If you aren’t sure whether you fit into one of these categories, speak with a wrongful death attorney about your standing. You may be entitled to file charges.

How Long to File Wrongful Death Suit in Oakland?

Under CCP 377.60, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is two years from the victim’s death, with exceptions:

Medical malpractice cases have a three-year period
The two-year timeline may begin from the day the surviving family discovers the victim has died
Minors have two years after they turn 18 to file for the death of a parent or guardian

Our Oakland wrongful death attorneys can help you determine the statute of limitations of your case, and whether or not you can still file.

Is Your Wrongful Death Law Firm in Oakland Easy to Work With?

We make the process as simple as we can. When you work with us you will get personal attention and we are only ever one phone call away. GJEL Accident Attorneys has substantial experience handling wrongful death cases throughout California. Our staff is friendly, attentive, and available to answer any questions you may have about the process.

Who Is the Best Wrongful Death Lawyer in Oakland?

The answer to this is subjective, but our wrongful death law firm in Oakland is a highly rated firm with awards from organizations such as US News & World Report, Superlawyers, Martindale Hubbell, and Avvo.

We have won some of the most prestigious personal injury law firm awards available to attorneys nationwide.

How to Divide a Wrongful Death Settlement in Oakland?

Family members and beneficiaries have the right to divide the settlement among the receiving parties. If the family cannot agree, the court will weigh factors like financial needs and economic standing and make a decision. Children of the victim and dependent parents are usually entitled to the bulk of the settlement.

Hiring a capable Oakland wrongful death lawyer allows you to advocate for deserving family members and ensure the awarded amounts are fair.

How Much Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Worth in Oakland, California?

Left in the hands of insurance companies, the payout could be $10,000 or less. Don’t leave it up to them. Consult your wrongful death attorney Oakland office and get the highest compensation possible.

Are Oakland Wrongful Death Attorneys Contingency Fee Lawyers?

Yes, GJEL wrongful death law firm in Oakland are contingency fee attorneys. This means that we do not get paid unless and until we win your case for you.

This is important for a claim for wrongful death because they can get very expensive to take to trial. Since we can front the cost of the case you can rest assured knowing you have our full legal team and our assets available to help you win your case.

How Much it Costs to Hire an Oakland Wrongful Death Lawyer

In California, it’s common to find personal injury attorneys who charge 30-50% of the settlement. You can read more about contingency fee attorneys here. You need the best wrongful death lawyer in Oakland, and GJEL makes sure that cost is no barrier.

Questions To Ask A Wrongful Death Attorney in Oakland

What is your firm’s success rate?
How many wrongful death cases have you handled?
Do you have the resources to take my case through trial?
How much have you recovered in verdicts in settlements?
Has your firm won any awards?
Does your firm only take personal injury cases?
What do you past clients have to say?

Resources

Oakland Personal Injury Attorneys

Oakland Car Accident Attorneys

Oakland Wrongful Death Lawyers

Oakland Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

California Wrongful Death Lawyers Content Hub