Representing Parents of Children Killed by Negligence

California Child Death Attorneys

The death of a child is a tragedy that no parent should have to endure. Yet, every year, more than 6,000 children die from accidental injuries. Perhaps the greatest fear of any parent is that their child will predecease them. The wrongful death lawyers at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger represent parents throughout California and Nevada who have suffered the loss of a child.

Our wrongful death attorneys understand that the death of a child can cause overwhelming emotional and physical pain and grief. We work with surviving parents to make those responsible for a child's death pay for the terrible loss. If you have lost a child because of the negligence or fault of another, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Our team of California wrongful death attorneys has successfully handled cases in which children were killed by drowning in unsafe swimming pools, playing on dangerous playground equipment or playing with dangerous toys. We have taken the makers of defective products to court for the needless deaths of children due to faulty car seats, strollers and flammable children's clothing. The misdiagnosis of an illness is an example of medical malpractice that may cause the negligent death of children.

We have successfully handled cases involving:

• Dangerous playground equipment
• Auto accidents
• School accidents
• Toxic household products
• Dangerous toys
• Drowning
• Falls
• Pediatric malpractice
• Infant deaths

Examples of Successful Child Wrongful Death Cases

Automobile Accident - $4.5 Million Settlement

Our team represented a 14-year-old boy riding as a rear-seat passenger in a car that was involved in a head-on collision in Bakersfield, California. As the car approached a rural intersection, the driver found the roadway flooded. No warning signs had been erected. Although it had been raining earlier, it was not raining at the time of the collision. The flooded roadway caused the car to hydroplane and rotate, crossing into oncoming traffic and colliding head on with a car traveling in the opposite direction.

California law recognizes that parents are entitled to general damages when a child has died. Our wrongful death specialists attempt to quantify the emotional trauma and demonstrate at trial or in mediation the loss caused by destruction of the parent-child relationship. Proper compensation in these cases involves paying survivors for the loss of a child's love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance and moral support.

Defective Air Intake System- Confidential Settlement

Walkup wrongful death attorneys obtained a substantial confidential settlement on behalf of the mother of a student whose wrongful death came as a result of lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Upon returning from a European trip, the 22- year old college senior was sleeping in the bedroom of the family's home on a blustery September night. She turned on the heater, shut the bedroom door, and went to sleep. She never woke up. While she slept, toxic levels of carbon monoxide gas permeated the room, filling her lungs. Due to the negligent manufacturing, production, and maintenance of a gas-fired pool heater, our team was able to obtain a settlement which found the pool maintenance and device manufacturing companies liable.

Defective Hot Tub - $2.5 Million Settlement

Our attorneys negotiated a settlement on behalf of the parents of a 4-year-old girl who was burned over 80 percent of her body while bathing in the family hot tub. Our attorneys demonstrated that the manufacturer of the hot tub had installed a defective thermostat, permitting the water to become unreasonably hot. The child survived for 61 days following the incident. The manufacturer of the hot tub paid the settlement.

Public Transportation Negligence - $2 Million Settlement

Walkup attorneys negotiated a combination cash and annuity settlement having a present value of $2,000,000 on behalf of a 16-year-old girl who was struck by a San Francisco Municipal Railway LRV. At the time she was struck, she was crossing the street with a green light. The settlement was paid on behalf of the municipality. Although the defense attempted to prove that the child should have heard the approaching vehicle, our attorneys demonstrated that the child had done nothing wrong and that the injury was entirely the fault of the Municipal Railway driver.

If you have lost a child, or someone you know has lost a child, contact our California child wrongful death lawyers today. Make an appointment for a free consultation. 1.888.564.8254 or 1.415.658.9310.

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