How is causation proven in a wrongful death claim?

In California, a wrongful death claim must prove that the death was the result of a person’s negligence or wrongful act. The plaintiff must be able to show that the defendant’s negligence was the primary cause of the decedent’s death. In legal terms, this is known as legal "causation." To establish legal causation, the plaintiff must provide evidence that the defendant’s conduct was the proximate cause of the death. Proximate cause means that the action of the defendant had a direct connection to the death of the decedent. For example, if a driver ran a red light and struck the decedent, the death would be considered a proximate cause of the defendant’s actions. The plaintiff must also provide evidence to show that the defendant’s negligence was the actual cause of the death. This means that the plaintiff must show that the decedent would not have died but for the defendant’s negligence. This can be shown through medical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and other forms of evidence. The plaintiff must also show that the defendant’s negligence resulted in damages for the decedent. The damages must be quantifiable and must relate to the death in some way. For example, the plaintiff can seek damages for medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of consortium. In summary, in a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must be able to prove legal causation, actual causation, and damages in order to be successful in the claim.

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How is causation proven in a wrongful death claim?

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