Understanding Wrongful Death in Santa Clara, California

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Understanding Wrongful Death in
Santa Clara, California
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D e f i n i t i o n o f
W r o n g f u l
D e a t h De?nition Wrongful death refers to a
situation where a person loses their life due to
the negligence, recklessness, or intentional
actions of another party. Legal Basis In Santa
Clara, California, wrongful death claims are
governed by speci?c laws that outline the
eligibility criteria and the process for pursuing
such cases.
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P a r t i e s
E l i g i b l e t o
F i l e Eligible Parties Typically, the
immediate family members of the deceased, such as
spouses, children, and parents, are eligible to
?le a wrongful death claim. Dependents
Individuals who were ?nancially dependent on the
deceased may also qualify as eligible parties.
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E s t a b l i s h i n g
L i a b i l i t y Negligence Wrongful death
cases often hinge on proving negligence. This may
involve demonstrating that the responsible party
had a duty of care, breached that duty, and that
breach directly led to the death. Examples
Accidents, medical malpractice, defective
products, and intentional acts can all be grounds
for establishing liability.
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D a m a g e s a n d
C o m p e n s a t i o n

• Damages Wrongful death claims seek compensation
  for various damages, including medical expenses,
  funeral costs, loss of ?nancial support, and
  emotional suffering.
• Calculation The court considers factors such as
  the deceased's earning potential, the impact on
  the family, and the circumstances surrounding the
  death when determining the compensation amount.

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L e g a l P r o c e s s a n d
T i m e l i n e s Filing Process Understanding
the steps involved in ?ling a wrongful death
claim in Santa Clara, including gathering
evidence, ?ling the lawsuit, and the legal
proceedings that follow. Time Limitations It's
crucial to be aware of the statute of limitations
for wrongful death cases in California, as
missing the deadline can result in the loss of
the right to pursue a claim.