"Wrongful death" is a term used in civil law (as opposed to criminal law) which means what it says: a death caused by wrongful conduct (meaning a wrongful act or omission). The laws pertaining to wrongful death are similar to personal injury laws, but there are major differences. A key difference has to do with who can sue for wrongful death. Obviously, the deceased person cannot sue. Essentially, one or more of the heirs can. For that reason, Attorney Kenneth M. Phillips asks the following questions when contacted about a potential wrongful death case:
- The victim's name ("name" means full legal name)
- Her date of birth
- The city and state where she lived
- The date she was killed
- The city where she was killed
- Whether she left a will
- The names of all of her brothers and sisters
- The names of her parents and which one(s) are alive
- The names of her children and their dates of birth or approximate ages (if dead, the dates of death)
- The name of her most recent spouse
- Whether she and her most recent spouse were officially married, separated, getting a divorce, or officially divorced, and the date of the official divorce.
To speak to Mr. Phillips about a wrongful death case, call (310) 606-9769 or just tap that number if you're on a mobile phone.
