The theme behind a wrongful death lawsuit is that the wrongful death, in addition to injuring the person who died, also injured people who depended upon the deceased for financial or emotional support. The wrongful act may be:
  • A negligent or careless act such as careless driving car accident
  • A reckless act (of virtually any kind)
  • An intentional act such as a deliberate murder

California has enacted a statute permitting a lawsuit to be brought by the relatives of a person who died as a result of a wrongful act.  This is called a "California Wrongful Death Legal Action."