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The wrongful death of a family member or loved one creates a tumultuous array of emotions that are both overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable. Experiencing feelings of sadness, anger and frustration, the family is permanently damaged by the sudden and unexpected loss. The Roberts Law Firm handles wrongful death cases in Los Angeles, Orange County and throughout Southern California. My experience in dealing with wrongful death cases has helped me to understand that death caused by the negligent, reckless or wrongful acts of others is never justified.

I am currently handling a case that involves the wrongful death of a 63 year old woman. The woman was in a cross walk in Los Angeles when she was hit by a Xerox truck driven by a Xerox employee. The Xerox employee was driving with alcohol in his system when he hit the woman. Driving while under the influence of alcohol, was not an uncommon practice for the Xerox employee. Before this accident, the Xerox employee had twice been convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). At the time of the accident, the Xerox employee was on probation for the second DUI.

            Convicted of causing great bodily injury while driving under the influence, the Xerox employee is serving 6 years in state prison. Xerox, the company who continued to employ the driver despite his DUI convictions, claims that the driver was not acting on their behalf when he drove the Xerox truck into the woman.

 Representing the husband and 5 adult children of the deceased woman, I am currently handling the case against Xerox. The family is seeking recovery of medical bills in excess of $250,000, funeral and burial costs, as well as punitive damages against Xerox for allowing one of its employees with a history of alcohol use and DUI convictions to use their Xerox truck.

When hiring an employee to perform duties that include driving or operating motor vehicles, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that its employees are safe and competent drivers. Allowing an employee with 2 DUI convictions to use and operate a company truck is inexcusable. By turning a blind eye, Xerox caused a husband and 5 children to endure the emotional pain caused by an unexpected and devastating death.