Wrongful Death from Shooting Lawyer San Francisco, CA
If your loved one was killed in a shooting, you should talk to a wrongful death from shooting lawyer San Francisco, CA residents trust. What happened to your family lawyer was unjust and you can take legal action. While nothing can make up for the loss of a loved one, a lawyer can help you seek justice.
Why Do Shooting Deaths Happen?
Shooting deaths can occur for many different reasons. For example, armed criminals can come into an apartment building if the security isn’t adequate. If the criminal shoots and kills a tenant, the building owner can be held legally responsible for failing to keep the security locked door in good working order.
Shootings can also occur in parking lots of different businesses. If the building owner has failed to provide adequate lighting or security, he or she may be held liable for a person’s shooting death.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
If your family member suffered a fatal shooting, you understandably need enough time to grieve the loss. However, if you want to pursue a lawsuit against the party responsible for the death, you have to act quickly. In California, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Once that deadline has passed, you will no longer be eligible to receive compensation.
That’s why you should speak to a wrongful death from shooting lawyer in San Francisco, CA promptly. He or she will evaluate your case and provide you with sound legal advice.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
While you’re not required to hire a lawyer to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it’s highly recommended. Wrongful death cases are incredibly complex, and it’s important to have someone with knowledge and experience on your side. Here are the benefits of hiring a lawyer:
- Know the True Value of Your Claim: If you don’t have a legal background, you might not know the true value of your wrongful death claim. The negligent party’s insurance company knows this and may try to offer you a settlement that’s far less than you deserve. Your lawyer, on the other hand, has handled similar cases before and will know the actual value of your claim. He or she will consider several factors, such as medical bills, funeral expenses and loss of earnings, before determining a dollar amount.
- Reduce Stress: Losing a loved one in a shooting is a traumatic event that may take a while to recover from. When you’re grieving, you don’t need the added stress of handling your own wrongful death lawsuit. Leave it up to a domestic violence lawyer in San Francisco, CA to do that so that you can take care of yourself.
- Possess Trial Experience: Most wrongful death cases get settled out of court, but you want an experienced lawyer on your side should the case go to trial. He or she will provide a strong argument to the jury and improve your chances of winning your case.
Contact a wrongful death from shooting lawyer in San Francisco, CA at the Morales Law Firm today.
Wrongful Death From Shooting Lawyer San Francisco CA
Christopher Morales is a California board-certified criminal law specialist, and one of his specialties is wrongful death from shootings in San Francisco, California. Mr. Morales works side-by-side with Sylvia Palma, a board certified criminal defense investigator who has 25 years of experience. Ms. Palm specializes in obtaining information from witnesses.
A wrongful death is defined as a death that is caused without legal justification. This means that it is caused intentionally, or by negligence. Self-defense is an example of a legal justification and does not qualify under wrongful death.
Example of Wrongful Death From Shooting: Fresno California, 2020
The family of Gerald Johnson sued the Fresno police force after they used excessive force. They shot Johnson, an unarmed, mentally ill Black man. He was in a drug-induced haze in March 2020.
Family called the police after Johnson swung a shovel at a relative, he then hid in a car in the backyard of his family’s property. The family claimed that these particular police officers had dealt with Johnson before. The police spent a few hours trying to coax him out of the car, as they planned to arrest him on suspicion of felony assault.
The family informed the police that Johnson had an unloaded pellet gun. The police began shooting when they approached the car and saw what appeared to be a gun in his hand. He was dead on arrival at the hospital.
This lawsuit was filed in early January 2021 with the Fresno County Superior Court against the city. The family claims that the police were malicious, and did not take into account Johnson’s needs, or safety. He was reportedly shot in the neck, the chest, and the stomach.
What Is Significant About This Case?
Gerald Johnson was in his family’s backyard, with an unloaded pellet gun. He had no intent to harm anyone. According to his family, they believed he was actually in the midst of a mental breakdown. The cops approached the car, and despite knowing he had an unloaded pellet gun, began shooting upon seeing it.
This man was shot to death in his own backyard, unarmed. This particular incident violated California’s new deadly force law, which further prompted the family to reach out to attorneys and file against the police force.
What Happens Next?
The family and their attorneys will work to find evidence that the officers involved were negligent or intended to hurt the deceased. And that’s what Morales Law Firm can do for you, if you’re ever in this situation.
Wrongful death is not something that should happen, and you deserve to fight for compensation. Money will not bring your family member back, but the lawsuit may change laws, or cause new laws to be enacted to ensure that nobody else dies in a similar manner.
If you or your family suffers a wrongful death from a shooting in San Francisco, California, Morales Law Firm is the firm for you.
Client Review
“Christopher Morales is a highly , expert criminal defense attorney. He treats us with dignity and respect, understand and make informed decisions about our son case. I am highly – recommend Christopher to people.”
Christian Panameno