We understand that during this difficult time, what you need most is compassionate support paired with strong legal advocacy. No family should face the aftermath of a loved one’s untimely passing without both emotional and legal guidance.
You deserve justice, acknowledgment of your loss, and financial security for your future. And you shouldn’t have to navigate complex legal systems while coping with grief.
Our Sacramento wrongful death attorneys walk alongside families like yours every day. We shoulder the legal burdens completely, from investigation to securing fair compensation, so you can focus on your emotional healing. There are no upfront costs—we only accept payment when we win your case because your financial security matters to us.
How We Support You Through Grief and Legal Challenges
While you’re trying to process your loss, insurance companies may already be building defenses against your claim. This feels overwhelming—perhaps even impossible—when you’re struggling to get through each day.
Here’s how our team becomes your shield and advocate:
We conduct thorough, investigations:
- Gathering crucial evidence before it vanishes
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting with trusted medical and accident reconstruction specialists
- Creating a clear timeline that establishes precisely who failed your family
We identify everyone whose actions contributed:
- Individuals who made catastrophic choices
- Companies that prioritized profit over safety
- Government entities that neglected their responsibilities
- Multiple parties who each played a role in this tragedy
We face insurance companies so you never have to:
- Protecting you from intrusive questions during your time of mourning
- Countering inadequate offers with compelling evidence
- Standing firm against tactics designed to exhaust you into settling for less
- Preparing meticulously for trial while pursuing fair negotiations
During this painful journey, you deserve to focus entirely on your family’s emotional healing. Let us carry the legal burden for you.
When a Death Qualifies as “Wrongful” Under California Law: Understanding Your Situation
California law defines wrongful death as one caused by another’s “wrongful act or neglect.” Behind this legal language are real stories of real families—families just like yours—whose lives changed in an instant.
We’ve stood with families through countless heartbreaking scenarios, including:
- Car accidents where distracted or impaired drivers forever changed your family story
- Commercial truck crashes where corporate pressure pushed drivers beyond safe limits
- Workplace tragedies where safety protocols that could have saved a life were ignored
- Defective products that turned everyday items into deadly hazards
In each of these situations, someone failed to uphold their sacred responsibility to act with reasonable care toward your loved one.
The truck driver who caused the crash that took your spouse may have been pushed beyond reasonable hours by an employer cutting corners. The hospital whose error led to your parent’s death may have understaffed crucial departments to increase profits.
These complex relationships mean multiple parties may share responsibility for your suffering. Our attorneys work tirelessly to uncover every contributing factor so that all responsible parties face accountability for their role in your loss.
Understanding Two Paths to Justice: Civil Wrongful Death Claims and Criminal Cases
Many families ask: “How can money possibly make this right? Shouldn’t the person who took my loved one go to jail?”
Your question comes from the deepest place of hurt, and it deserves a thoughtful answer about two separate legal processes:
- Civil wrongful death lawsuits (what we handle for you) seek financial compensation that acknowledges both your economic losses and the incalculable value of your loved one’s presence in your life.
- Criminal cases are pursued by government prosecutors when laws have been broken and can result in imprisonment for the responsible party.
These cases move forward independently of each other. A person might avoid criminal conviction but still be held financially responsible for your loss through a civil case.
While no legal outcome can truly heal your heart, a civil wrongful death lawsuit can provide:
- Financial stability when you’ve lost your family’s provider
- Resources for grief counseling and emotional support
- Accountability in situations where criminal charges aren’t filed
- A form of closure through formal acknowledgment of responsibility
We understand that your pursuit of justice isn’t about money—it’s about honoring your loved one and protecting other families from similar heartbreak.
Family Members Who Can Seek Justice: Finding Your Place in the Legal Process
California law respects the unique bonds of family by carefully defining who can pursue wrongful death claims. If you fall into one of these categories, we can help you seek justice:
- Spouse or domestic partner who shared life’s journey with the deceased
- Children who have lost a parent’s love and guidance
- Grandchildren (in cases where the deceased’s child has also passed away)
- Parents who were financially dependent on an adult child
- Those who would inherit under intestate succession laws if no will exists
We understand that family relationships are complex and unique. Every family situation has its own nuances. During your free consultation, we’ll listen carefully to understand yours and provide clear guidance on your legal options.
The Full Spectrum of Recoverable Damages: Acknowledging What Cannot Be Replaced
When someone’s negligence has taken your loved one, California law recognizes that your loss extends far beyond financial impact. While nothing can ever truly compensate for your loss, the law provides ways to acknowledge both the tangible and intangible dimensions of your suffering.
Your family may recover:
Economic damages that address concrete financial impacts:
- Medical expenses incurred during your loved one’s final care
- Funeral and burial costs that come at an already overwhelming time
- Lost lifetime income and benefits that would have supported your family
- Value of household contributions—from childcare to home maintenance—that now fall to others
Non-economic damages that attempt to acknowledge what cannot be measured:
- The profound loss of love, companionship, and emotional support
- The absence of guidance and mentorship, especially devastating for children
- The special intimacy shared between spouses or partners
- The ongoing emotional pain that accompanies your grief journey
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, we may also seek punitive damages to hold wrongdoers fully accountable and help prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
Our team takes great care to document every dimension of your loss, ensuring that any compensation truly reflects both your practical needs and the emotional depth of your family’s suffering.
Reaching Out: Your First Step Toward Healing and Justice
When you contact us, you’ll find something increasingly rare in today’s world: people who truly listen. Here’s what you can expect when you reach out:
- A compassionate conversation where we hear your story with patience and care
- Clear, honest explanations of your legal options
- A thoughtful plan forward that considers your family’s unique needs
- Straightforward answers to all your questions
And please remember: there are absolutely no upfront costs to worry about.
We work on a contingency basis—which means we only receive payment when we secure compensation for your family. This ensures our goals remain perfectly aligned with yours: obtaining the fullest possible acknowledgment of your loss.
We must remind you that time is limited. California law allows just 2 years to file a wrongful death claim. As painful as it may be to address legal matters during your grief, waiting too long can close the door to justice permanently. With each passing day, crucial evidence fades and witnesses’ memories become less clear.
Let us help you take this first step toward both justice and healing.
Call Curtis Legal Group at 1-800-LAW-3080 or click below to schedule your free consultation.
Our team stands ready to walk this difficult path alongside you, providing both legal strength and human compassion when you need it most.