Garden Grove Wrongful Death Lawyer

attorney Aaron Hicks Residents of Garden Grove face various risks due to the negligent or intentional actions of others in everyday life. If a family member was killed due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful act, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your loss. This page explains how the wrongful death attorneys at Hicks Law Firm can help you navigate these challenging times and pursue justice for your loved one.

Wrongful Death Law Firm Serving All Courts in Garden Grove, CA

Aaron Hicks is a Garden Grove wrongful death attorney who recognizes the profound impact that losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence can have on your life. In addition to the emotional devastation, you may face financial strain from funeral costs, lost income, and other unexpected expenses. Aaron Hicks is committed to providing the support and guidance you need to seek justice and rebuild your life during this difficult time.

Aaron Hicks is the Founder, and primary motorcycle accident attorney at Hicks Law Firm and serves all of Garden Grove, California. Our main office is located 765 The City Dr S. Suite 120 Orange, CA near the 22 & 5 interchange (open Google Maps), just 1 mile from Garden Grove. If you or a family member were seriously injured through the negligence or actions of another, contact Hicks Law Firm by calling 949-541-9944 to schedule a risk-free, no obligation consultation.

Google Review:
“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Aaron Hicks for his exceptional representation in a personal injury case stemming from childhood trauma. Throughout the entire process, Aaron demonstrated the utmost kindness, compassion, and understanding. His unwavering determination to secure a just outcome on my behalf was truly commendable.”
– Verified review by CJ

What is a Wrongful Death Case?

A wrongful death case may be filed after a person is fatally injured due to a party’s negligence or intentional act. The negligence legal theory requires the plaintiff (the person filing the lawsuit) to prove:

There was a relationship between the deceased and the defendant (the party being sued). This could be the fact they shared the road before an accident, or the deceased was a patient of a doctor accused of medical malpractice
Because of that relationship, the defendant owed the deceased a duty of reasonable care, given the situation
The defendant breached that duty by doing something or failing to do something
Which is the factual and legal (or proximate) cause of the family member’s death
You and the deceased suffered harm which, when measured in dollars, is called damages
Under California law, the defendant must compensate you for the damages

You would have the burden of proving that it’s more likely than not that these elements are true, given the evidence in the case.

What Situations Might Lead to a Wrongful Death Case?

Wrongful death cases might be the result of:

Car accidents
Medical malpractice
Violent crimes
Slips and falls
Fires
Drownings
Hunting accidents
Poisonings

The facts could be any situation where someone’s negligence or intentional actions caused someone’s death.

What is a Survival Action?

California’s statute is a hybrid between survival statutes, which allow an estate’s personal representative to be a plaintiff, and wrongful death statutes, which permit claims by the next of kin in their personal capacity.

The decedent’s legal claims (such as for pain and suffering) survive their death and pass to their immediate relatives
The estate’s personal representative can also bring such claims to benefit the immediate relatives, not the estate
The next of kin can also recover damages for the harm they’ve suffered

In most states, the difference between a wrongful death case and a survival action is clearer, while they’re blended in California.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Case?

A plaintiff can be the deceased’s spouse, child, or next of kin (if there’s no surviving spouse), parents in some cases, and the personal representative of the deceased’s estate.

What Damages are Available in a California Wrongful Death Case?

Plaintiffs can sue for:

Lost financial support
Lost companionship
A survivor’s mental anguish
The deceased’s pain and suffering
The monetary value of the deceased’s life (their expected income less costs if they lived a normal lifespan)
Medical bills
Funeral and burial costs

Punitive damages may be available if it’s proven the defendant acted maliciously, intentionally, fraudulently, or recklessly. They are not meant to compensate family members or the estate but to punish the defendant and discourage them and others from committing similar acts in the future.

Why Should I Hire Aaron Hicks for My Wrongful Death Case?

Aaron Hicks has represented many clients in wrongful death cases. That experience aids him in effectively negotiating these claims, avoiding legal pitfalls that may end or delay a case, and handling the many complex factual and legal issues that may arise.

He understands what grieving families are going through after the traumatic death of a loved one. Aaron Hicks will support you through the insurance and legal processes, and deal with insurance companies and their wrongful death lawyers so you won’t have to. He will keep you updated and promptly respond to your questions and concerns.

Aaron Hicks accepts wrongful death claims on a contingency basis, so you need not pay anything until your case settles or you’re awarded damages after a trial.

Contact a Garden Grove Wrongful Death Law Firm

Hicks Law Firm has a team of compassionate and effective wrongful death attorneys in California will aggressively pursue your claims, fight for justice for your family member, and help you recover from your financial losses after your loved one’s death.

Call us today at 949-541-9944 or fill out our online contact form today to discuss your case, how California law may apply, and your best legal options.