Are wrongful death cases impacted by federal law?

Yes, wrongful death cases in California can be impacted by federal law. Wrongful death cases are civil lawsuits filed by the family of a person who died as a result of the negligence or bad actions of another, either an individual or an organization. In California, wrongful death suits are governed by state laws, and because these kinds of cases often cross state or country lines, sometimes federal law may apply. For example, wrongful death cases often involve corporations, and, in general, state laws are limited in their ability to regulate corporations. That means if a wrongful death claim is related to a corporation, then federal laws may apply to the case. For instance, the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has regulations that regulate the safety of consumer products. So if a wrongful death is caused by a faulty consumer product, the family can file a claim and these federal regulations could be used to determine negligence. Additionally, if the wrongful death is caused by federal negligence, such as a civil servant acting in the course of his or her job, then the Federal Tort Claims Act may be used. This law allows individuals to bring claims based on due process requirements in the U.S. Constitution and it is connected to civil rights and federal liability against unlawful acts committed by employees of the federal government. So, while state law is the primary source of wrongful death law in California, federal law can have an impact in certain cases. If you are filing a wrongful death case, make sure to talk to an attorney who is knowledgeable about both state and federal laws.

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Are wrongful death cases impacted by federal law?

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