Who Pays For Funeral Costs After Community Tragedies?

Few events in life are more filled with emotion than the loss of a loved one. It can even be challenging to believe that you are hearing the truth. Your mind and heart are in instant conflict as you try to sort out how it could have happened and how you will move on from this painful moment. Possibly the only thing that can make this sad news even more upsetting is to learn that your loved one was taken from you as the result of a community tragedy. Unfortunately, your loved one was stolen away too soon because of a senseless act. Maybe it was a police shooting, an after-school shooting, or even a helicopter accident that claimed your family member’s life long before their time. All you know is that your life has been altered forever.

But as the news sinks in, you begin to worry about many tasks that need your attention. Someone must start the final arrangements for your family member, including the funeral. Suddenly, the thought of $7,000 to $10,000 for a very basic California funeral sounds like a tremendous amount of debt to take on. But clearly, it needs to be done, and you need to find a way to pay for this final celebration of a life that was lost too soon.

Sadly, there will be many more expenses you and your family will need to handle as a result of the death of a loved one. But the team at Kenmore Law Group would like you to know that they are here to offer you their expert legal services to determine if another party is liable for your loved one’s death and also funeral costs after the tragedy that claimed a life. Our law office employs a top-flight team of wrongful death lawyers who will help you understand the legal ramifications of acts like a school shooting, police shooting, or other senseless violence that claims the life of an innocent victim. We are here 24/7 and happy to offer a free consultation to provide an answer to who pays for funeral costs after a tragedy and other crucial questions.

Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits
While we completely agree that the death of your loved one is something you consider to be wrong, it is crucial to understand what the legal definition of wrongful death includes. In California, wrongful death is when one person dies as a result of the legal fault of another person or entity. These cases can consist of negligence when driving that causes an accident, medical malpractice, and intentional acts like crimes or other violent acts.

As a family member of the deceased, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against someone you believe is responsible for your loved one’s passing. However, it is also essential to understand that you are filing a civil case against the person or entity, not criminal charges. In a civil case, the defendant’s liability for the death of your loved one only needs to be established by a preponderance of evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt. So securing the settlement is less challenging in civil court.

While this all sounds very complicated, especially when you are grieving the loss of a loved one, it is essential to know that the wrongful death lawyers at Kenmore Law Group have decades of combined experience proving negligence and securing settlements for thousands of clients in the Los Angeles area. And we are here to put that expertise to work to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve for the senseless loss of your loved one.
Who Can File A Wrongful Death Claim?
In California, only family members and dependents can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Those eligible to initiate legal action include:

• Spouse
• Domestic partner
• Children
• Parents and siblings can also file a claim in the event of no other surviving spouse, partner, or child
• Financial dependents are also included in some cases

The Statute Of Limitations On A Wrongful Death Case In California
The Statute of Limitations on most wrongful death claims in California is two years from the date of the incident, with very few exceptions to this time frame. So it is crucial for family members to seek legal advice quickly to determine if they have grounds for a wrongful death suit. It takes time to gather all the supporting information and documents needed to file a case. And the longer you wait to speak to a California wrongful death expert, the more challenging it could be to secure the settlement you deserve. The team at Kenmore Law Office is here 24/7 to take your call and set up a free consultation to determine if you should pursue a wrongful death case to pay for funeral costs after the loss of your loved one.

The Possible Value Of A Wrongful Death Case
While wrongful death cases are challenging simply because of their emotional nature, in many cases, they are equally complex due to their financial ramifications on the family. In the case of an adult, the damages or monetary amount of the settlement is viewed in two parts.

Economic Losses:

• Financial support of the family contributed by the deceased that is now lost
• Loss of gifts or benefits the family would have received from the deceased
• Funeral expenses and any medical bills if the deceased was hospitalized after the incident
• A reasonable dollar amount for the household services contributed by the deceased

Non-Economic Losses:

• Loss of love, companionship, comfort, and care from the deceased
• Loss of enjoyment and intimacy lost by the deceased spouse
• Loss of the guidance of the deceased dependents

There is no cap on the damages for a wrongful death lawsuit in California, with the exception of medical malpractice. However, in cases such as a loss due to a tragedy like a school shooting, police shooting, or act of violence, the amount will be calculated using all of the above factors that apply to the loss.
No Fees And No Added Stress
The wrongful death lawyers at Kenmore Law Group understand the pain and anguish you are suffering as a result of the loss of a loved one. And when the death is due to some senseless act of community violence or other tragedy, you feel even more overwhelmed. We sympathize with your loss and want to offer our condolence and legal expertise to guide you through the process of a wrongful death claim against the liable parties.

But what we never want to do is add you your worry or stress about unpaid legal bills as the claim process moves forward. So we have been very honest in stating that the length of the process is not defined. And knowing that, we cannot expect you to make any out-of-pocket payments to us before we secure a settlement or verdict for you. So we pledge never to request payment until you have been paid. This process is just one small way to demonstrate our 100% dedication to our clients and their well-being.
Did Another Law Firm Turn You Away?
When you are upset and grieving, it can be hard to hear that you have no grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit or that it could take months or years to complete the settlement process. Yet, we know that every day, other law firms are turning away clients who are in need of legal help. We know this because many come to our office seeking help and explaining their challenges with other firms. Some even tell us that they were asked to pay a huge upfront fee just to present their case to a wrongful death lawyer.

If any of this sounds familiar, you can put it all behind you when you contact Kenmore Law Group. We offer a free second opinion consultation to any family who has suffered the loss of a loved one. We believe in total transparency and will provide you with honest facts regarding your case. If there is no negligence, we will explain why and offer other solutions. However, if we see merit in your case, we will move forward on your behalf with no upfront payments.

We are the law firm that believes in honesty and integrity to see that justice always prevails. Our experts are here to help you understand the legalities of your loved one’s death and help you move forward in a healthy manner. Our goal is always to secure a robust settlement that will ensure your loved one’s financial future and allow your family to move past this painful loss and difficult time.