Ley de muerte injusta de California – Cómo presentar y ganar una demanda

Si está leyendo esto porque un miembro de su familia fue tomado injustamente de usted demasiado pronto, lo sentimos mucho. En este artículo explicamos lo que necesita saber sobre las leyes de muerte por negligencia en California y cómo puede tener motivos para buscar justicia a través de una gran recuperación financiera.

El Código de Procedimiento Civil de California 377.60 permite a la familia de una víctima fallecida (llamada “difunto”) demandar a las partes responsables por muerte por negligencia. Es posible que pueda recuperar daños por ingresos perdidos y gastos funerarios del difunto.

Estos casos son similares a la pérdida de consorcio, que se aplica cuando un cónyuge o pareja doméstica registrada es privado de compañía e intimidad debido a un acto negligente de alguien. La diferencia es que con la pérdida de consorcio, el cónyuge o pareja todavía está vivo.

Una demanda por muerte por negligencia a menudo se combina con una acción de “supervivencia”. Los casos de supervivencia se presentan en nombre del patrimonio de la víctima para reembolsarlo por los daños compensatorios sufridos por la víctima fallecida (en lugar de la familia) por el acto negligente.

Siga leyendo mientras nuestros abogados de lesiones personales de California entran en más detalle sobre las demandas por muerte por negligencia. También escuche nuestro informativo podcast:

• 1. ¿Quién puede demandar por muerte por negligencia en California?
• 2. Casos típicos
• 3. ¿Qué dinero puedo obtener?
• 4. ¿En qué se diferencia una acción de “supervivencia”?
• 5. El estatuto de limitaciones
• Lectura adicional

1. ¿Quién puede demandar por muerte por negligencia en California?

El Código de Procedimiento Civil de California 377.60 permite a los siguientes miembros de la familia (o sus representantes personales) presentar una demanda por muerte por negligencia (en orden de prioridad):

1. El cónyuge sobreviviente, pareja doméstica, hijos e hijos del difunto.
2. Si no hay descendencia sobreviviente (como hijos y nietos), cualquier familia que tendría derecho a la propiedad del difunto como si no hubiera testamento.
3. Las siguientes personas si dependían del difunto: un cónyuge putativo (que es un cónyuge que de buena fe creía que el matrimonio era válido, pero no lo era), hijos del cónyuge putativo, hijastros o padres.
4. Menores que vivieron con el difunto en los últimos 180 días y dependían de él para al menos el 50% de su sustento.¹

Para más discusión, vea nuestra página sobre ¿Quién puede demandar por muerte por negligencia?

2. Casos típicos

Muchos de los casos de muerte por negligencia que vemos en California se derivan de:

• Accidentes automovilísticos (incluyendo atropellos o ser atropellado por un conductor de DUI),
• Atropellos de peatones,
• Accidentes de “resbalón y caída”,
• Ahogamiento,
• Asalto y agresión,
• Asesinato o homicidio culposo,
• Abuso o negligencia de ancianos,
• Abuso o negligencia infantil,
• Negligencia médica,
• Mordeduras o ataques de perros, y
• Productos defectuosos.²

En resumen, las acciones por muerte por negligencia son apropiadas sin importar si el asesinato fue negligente, gravemente negligente, imprudente o intencional. Los herederos incluso pueden demandar a las partes que pueden haber sido estrictamente responsables por la muerte, como los fabricantes de productos o los dueños de perros peligrosos.

Tenga en cuenta que los herederos pueden demandar a alguien por muerte por negligencia incluso si esa persona nunca es acusada o condenada por un cargo criminal relacionado. El ejemplo más famoso es OJ Simpson: fue absuelto en su juicio penal por asesinato, pero se lo encontró responsable en su juicio civil por muerte por negligencia.

Martin can sue for wrongful death on behalf of himself and their children. He can also sue for survival on behalf of Emma’s estate for the pain and suffering she endured during the month she was in a coma. He can also seek punitive damages in the survival action.

5. What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in California?

The statute of limitations for wrongful death in California is two years from the date of death.¹³ This means that the heirs have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If they do not file within this time period, they will likely lose their right to sue forever.

Note that the statute of limitations for survival actions is different. It is two years from the date of the decedent’s death.¹⁴ This means that the executor of the decedent’s estate has two years from the date of death to file a survival lawsuit.

6. What if the decedent was partially at fault?

California follows the legal doctrine of “comparative fault” in wrongful death cases.¹⁵ This means that the amount of damages the heirs can recover will be reduced by the percentage of fault that the decedent is found to have had for the accident.

For example, if the decedent was found to be 25% at fault for the accident that caused their death, the heirs’ damages will be reduced by 25%. So if the total damages were $100,000, the heirs would only be able to recover $75,000.

7. What if the decedent was killed by a government employee?

If the decedent was killed by a government employee while the employee was acting within the scope of their employment, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the government entity that employed the employee.¹⁶ This is known as a “government tort claim.”

However, there are strict deadlines and procedures that must be followed in order to bring a government tort claim. For example, a claim must be filed with the government entity within six months of the date of death.¹⁷ Failure to follow these procedures can result in the claim being denied.

8. What if the decedent was killed in a car accident?

If the decedent was killed in a car accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company.¹⁸ In California, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident.

If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages, the heirs may be able to bring a claim against their own insurance company under their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.¹⁹

9. What if the decedent was killed at work?

If the decedent was killed at work, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the decedent’s employer and/or their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.²⁰ In California, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees who are injured or killed on the job.

10. What if the decedent was killed by a defective product?

If the decedent was killed by a defective product, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, and/or seller of the product.²¹ In California, product liability lawsuits can be based on theories of strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty.

11. What if the decedent was killed in a criminal act?

If the decedent was killed in a criminal act, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the perpetrator of the crime.²² In addition, the heirs may be able to bring a claim against any third parties who may have contributed to the death, such as a property owner who failed to provide adequate security.

12. What if the decedent was killed in a medical malpractice incident?

If the decedent was killed as a result of medical malpractice, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the healthcare provider(s) responsible for the malpractice.²³ In California, medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within one year of the date the plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the injury, but no more than three years from the date of the injury.²⁴

13. What if the decedent was killed in a construction accident?

If the decedent was killed in a construction accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the construction company, contractor, and/or subcontractor responsible for the accident.²⁵ In California, construction companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees who are injured or killed on the job.

14. What if the decedent was killed in a slip and fall accident?

If the decedent was killed in a slip and fall accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the property owner or manager responsible for maintaining the property.²⁶ In California, property owners and managers have a duty to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors.

15. What if the decedent was killed in a swimming pool accident?

If the decedent was killed in a swimming pool accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of the pool and/or anyone responsible for maintaining the pool.²⁷ In California, pool owners have a duty to keep their pools in a safe condition and to warn visitors of any potential hazards.

16. What if the decedent was killed in a boating accident?

If the decedent was killed in a boating accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of the boat and/or anyone responsible for operating the boat.²⁸ In California, boat owners and operators have a duty to operate their boats safely and to follow all applicable laws and regulations.

17. What if the decedent was killed in a plane crash?

If the decedent was killed in a plane crash, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of the plane and/or anyone responsible for operating the plane.²⁹ In California, plane owners and operators have a duty to operate their planes safely and to follow all applicable laws and regulations.

18. What if the decedent was killed in a train accident?

If the decedent was killed in a train accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of the train and/or anyone responsible for operating the train.³⁰ In California, train owners and operators have a duty to operate their trains safely and to follow all applicable laws and regulations.

19. What if the decedent was killed in a motorcycle accident?

If the decedent was killed in a motorcycle accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company.³¹ In California, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident.

If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages, the heirs may be able to bring a claim against their own insurance company under their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.³²

20. What if the decedent was killed in a bicycle accident?

If the decedent was killed in a bicycle accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company.³³ In California, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident.

If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages, the heirs may be able to bring a claim against their own insurance company under their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.³⁴

21. What if the decedent was killed in a pedestrian accident?

If the decedent was killed in a pedestrian accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company.³⁵ In California, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident.

If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages, the heirs may be able to bring a claim against their own insurance company under their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.³⁶

22. What if the decedent was killed in a truck accident?

If the decedent was killed in a truck accident, the heirs may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company.³⁷ In California

Martin presenta dos demandas contra el hospital: una acción por muerte injusta por la pérdida de ingresos y compañía de Emma, y una acción por negligencia médica, que “sobrevive” a la muerte de Emma.
Las diferencias entre las demandas de supervivencia y las demandas por muerte injusta se resumen en la siguiente tabla:

LEY DE CALIFORNIA	Acciones de Supervivencia – CCP 377.30	Demandas por Muerte Injusta – CCP 377.60
Demandante	Representante personal del patrimonio del fallecido	Los miembros sobrevivientes de la familia del fallecido
Daños Compensatorios	Gastos médicos incurridos antes de la muerte, salarios perdidos antes de la muerte, daños a la propiedad, dolor y sufrimiento antes de la muerte	Pérdida de apoyo financiero, pérdida de compañía, pérdida de servicios y gastos de funeral y entierro
Daños Punitivos	Pueden estar disponibles si el fallecido hubiera tenido derecho a ellos si hubiera vivido	Generalmente no están disponibles
Estatuto de Limitaciones	Generalmente 2 años a partir de la fecha del acto ilícito o 6 meses después de la muerte, lo que ocurra primero	Generalmente 2 años a partir de la fecha de la muerte

5. El Estatuto de Limitaciones

En California, el estatuto de limitaciones para muerte injusta es de dos años después de la muerte. Sin embargo, si la muerte fue causada por negligencia médica, el estatuto de limitaciones es el anterior de:

• 1 año desde la muerte o
• 3 años después de la negligencia médica.

Tenga en cuenta que este límite de tiempo puede ser pausado (“suspendido”) en casos de negligencia médica que involucren fraude, ocultación intencional o objetos extraños dejados en el cuerpo.

Para acciones de supervivencia, el patrimonio del difunto tiene un límite de tiempo de dos años para demandar a partir del más tarde de:

• La fecha de una lesión, o
• 6 meses después de la muerte.¹³

Su abogado de lesiones personales puede ayudarlo a determinar qué estatuto de limitaciones se aplica a su caso.

Lecturas Adicionales

Para obtener información más detallada, consulte los siguientes artículos académicos:

• Daños Hedónicos por Muerte Injusta: ¿Los Responsables de Delitos Escapan al Asesinato? – Georgetown Law Journal.
• Daños por Dolor y Sufrimiento en Casos de Muerte Injusta: Un Estudio Empírico – Journal of Empirical Legal Studies.
• Un Análisis Económico de los Daños por Negligencia Médica – NYU Law Review.
• Dinero, Sexo y Muerte: Sesgo de Género en las Indemnizaciones por Muerte Injusta – Law & Society Review.
• Muerte Injusta – Bases de las Reglas de Derecho Común – Vanderbilt Law Review.

Referencias legales: