What is a wrongful death statute of limitations?

A wrongful death statute of limitations is a legal time limit that a plaintiff has to file a wrongful death suit in a court of law. In California, the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years from the time of the death. After this two-year time period, the right to file a lawsuit is barred. The purpose of statutes of limitations is to ensure that any legal claim is filed while evidence is still fresh and that any parties to the claim can recall details accurately. This ensures fairness and prevents people from sitting on claims for long periods of time and then initiating litigation long after the event or action occurred. In California, a wrongful death claim can be filed against a person or entity that causes the death of someone through negligence, reckless behavior, or intentional harm. It can also be used to seek financial compensation for medical and final expenses, lost wages, and loss of companionship. The two-year statute of limitations in California may be extended in certain situations such as when the death was not initially considered to be caused by a wrongful act. Additionally, minors may have three years from the date of their eighteenth birthdays to file a wrongful death claim. Furthermore, an extension of the two-year time limit is possible if the defendant can be proven to have fraudulently concealed information related to the wrongful death case.

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What is a wrongful death statute of limitations?

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