Elderly Woman Killed in Retirement Home Fire
An elderly woman has died following a fire at an assisted living home in Sacramento County. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. at the Golden Pond Retirement Community on Monday, December 26, 2022. According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was sitting in a chair on her patio smoking a cigarette when she fell asleep. The lit cigarette fell on a blanket and started a fire.
Staff members extinguished the blaze before fire crews arrived. The woman was taken to the hospital with severe burn injuries and later died. No one else at the facility was hurt, and no other rooms were impacted.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office has not released the woman’s identity pending notification of her family.
Sudden Loss of a Loved One
When a loved one dies unexpectedly, the grieving process can change significantly. Although grief differs for everyone, an unexpected death does not allow the surviving family members to prepare for this process.
The sudden death of a family member is a life-changing experience. Losing someone you love is traumatizing, and the consequence of the senseless wrongful death can linger for years. It may cause overwhelming feelings such as disbelief, shock, panic, sadness, and anger.
Leading Causes of a Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs due to the unwarranted act or negligence of others. The leading causes of wrongful death in the United States include the following:
- Car accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Farming accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Work accidents
- Criminal acts
- Premises liability
Recovering Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim
Along with losing someone you love, you may face financial hardship, especially if your loved one was the provider. An experienced wrongful death attorney could help you get the necessary monetary compensation. It may not help ease your grief, but it can soften your financial burden, so you can heal from your loss with less stress.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Compensation in California?
The untimely death often leaves surviving family members with an overwhelmed burden and confusion. Those supported by the decedent can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Family members of the decedent who can file for a wrongful death claim include the spouse, children, or parents.
Filing Deadline for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California
The filing deadline in California is two years from the date of the fatal accident. This time frame is called the Statute of Limitations. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you could lose the right to seek compensatory damages in court if a lawsuit is not filed within that time.
There are exceptions where the statute of limitations may be less. When a wrongful death case involves a government entity, a claim must be brought within six months of the accident date. Due to the strict filing criteria, it is essential to retain experienced legal counsel to handle your claim.
Watch the YouTube video below to learn more about wrongful death claims.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in Sacramento. The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to provide financial relief for surviving family members of the decedent. If someone you love was killed in an accident due to negligence, call our experienced Sacramento injury attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free friendly, and compassionate case advice. You can also reach out to us through our online form at AutoAccident.com.
Since 1982, our accident attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
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