Wrongful Death Lawyer in Los Angeles

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, especially when someone else’s choices caused the loss. In those moments, families search for answers that the law can provide. Our wrongful death lawyers in Los Angeles help bring clarity when accountability feels out of reach.

As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer team, we help families steady themselves in unfamiliar territory. The process can feel foreign at first, but our role is to guide, explain, and make sure their loved one’s life is honored through every decision.

At Vaziri Law Group, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for clients across California by treating every case as a chance to restore stability and dignity after tragedy. Reach out to us today.

Case Results

Behind every number is a family that needs answers. These results reflect the effort, care, and determination we bring to each wrongful death case.

Wrongful Death (DUI Driver): $2,930,000 Settlement

A DUI driver on the job struck and killed our client’s son as he helped move his mother’s stalled car. Our attorneys built a clear case showing how negligence caused the tragedy and recovered $2.93 million for the family.

Pedestrian Accident: $2,450,000 Settlement

Our client, a pedestrian, lost their life in the early morning hours while crossing the street. Through careful investigation and negotiation, our attorneys recovered $2.45 million for the surviving family members, offering stability and acknowledgment of their loss.

Jaywalking Fatality: $1,250,000 Settlement

A decedent was struck and killed while jaywalking at night. Our legal team recovered $1.25 million for the victim’s five adult children, twenty-five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. The settlement helped generations of family members manage burial expenses, funeral costs, and other economic damages.

Wrongful Death Against a Towing Company: $600,000 Settlement

Six children filed a wrongful death lawsuit after their father died in a crash where a defective airbag failed to deploy. Our investigation showed the towing company sold a dangerous vehicle, leading to a $600,000 settlement that held the business accountable.

What a Wrongful Death Claim Means in California

A wrongful death claim lets surviving family members hold responsible parties accountable when negligence causes death. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 gives them the right to seek financial recovery through the civil court system.

Unlike a criminal case, which focuses on punishment, a wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These claims bring stability to families facing sudden financial and emotional strain.

While no case can undo grief, many families find that taking action restores a sense of control and gives meaning to their loss through accountability.

Understanding California Wrongful Death Law

California law recognizes that every person has the right to safety and ordinary care from others. Civil Code § 1714 holds individuals and companies accountable when their actions, or inaction, cause harm. In wrongful death claims, the duty of care extends to anyone whose behavior played a role in the loss of life.

California Civil Jury Instruction No. 3921 explains how juries evaluate both economic and non-economic damages in these cases. It forms part of the foundation that guides each wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles, giving structure to how justice is measured.

Our attorneys translate these laws into action, showing families how the principles behind California wrongful death law protect their rights and strengthen their case.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Los Angeles

Only certain people have the right to file a wrongful death claim. California law allows these parties to bring an action:

• The surviving spouse or domestic partner
• Children of the deceased
• Putative spouses or stepchildren who were financially dependent
• Dependent minors living in the household for at least six months
• Parents or siblings, if there are no direct descendants

A personal representative often brings the claim for the family. Anyone searching for a “wrongful death lawyer near me” can learn how California wrongful death law determines which relatives qualify to recover.

Survival Actions in California

A survival action differs from a wrongful death claim, even though the two often arise from the same event. While a wrongful death case belongs to the surviving family members, a survival action belongs to the deceased person’s estate.

This type of claim allows recovery for losses the individual suffered before passing away. Examples include medical costs related to the final injury, lost wages during hospitalization, and property damage connected to the incident. These damages become part of the estate and may later pass to heirs.

California law views survival actions and wrongful death claims as related but distinct. Both can move forward in the same lawsuit, each serving a different purpose. One seeks recovery for the family’s loss, while the other protects the rights the deceased held while alive. Our attorneys handle both with care to make sure every loss is addressed.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Los Angeles

Negligence takes many forms. Our firm handles wrongful death cases linked to the following:

• Car accidents and motor vehicle accidents
• Truck accidents involving commercial drivers
• Rideshare and delivery vehicle collisions
• Workplace accidents and negligent supervision
• Premises liability incidents, such as unsafe property or poor maintenance
• Defective products that cause fires, crashes, or equipment failures
• Intentional acts of violence that result in fatal injuries

Each situation involves a failure to meet a legal duty of care. Our wrongful death attorneys examine every contributing factor to determine how the loss occurred and who bears responsibility.

Understanding Liability in a Wrongful Death Claim

Liability usually involves more than the person directly responsible. Through vicarious liability, employers, corporations, and property owners can also be held accountable when poor oversight or unsafe practices lead to a death.

Examples include:

• Negligent hire, negligent supervision, or negligent training of employees.
• Companies that ignore safety complaints or inspection requirements.
• Property owners who fail to correct known hazards.

A skilled lawyer for wrongful death in Los Angeles investigates every angle, identifies liable parties, and gathers the documentation needed to hold them accountable in civil court.

How Wrongful Death Attorneys in Los Angeles Build a Case

A wrongful death claim depends on the connection between the evidence, the law, and the family’s experience. Our attorneys build each case with a clear purpose, using investigation and legal strategy to strengthen the claim from the start.

Evidence and Documentation

Every case begins with facts that establish what happened and why. Our attorneys organize reports, records, and statements into a clear timeline that reveals fault and supports the claim. That foundation provides direction and focus for later stages of the case.

Expert Collaboration

Some cases need expert insight to fill in what the evidence alone cannot show. Our team works with specialists who explain medical findings, financial losses, or product failures. Their analysis adds credibility and helps judges and juries understand the connection between negligence and loss.

Identifying Responsibility

Several parties may share responsibility for a wrongful death. Our attorneys review the facts from every angle to see how negligence or unsafe conduct caused the loss. Each link we uncover adds strength to the family’s case.

Valuing the Claim

Fair value reflects both financial and emotional loss. When calculating compensation, we review income records, future earnings, and personal testimony to understand the full effect of the death on the family. This process creates a complete and accurate picture of the harm caused.

Resolution Through Negotiation or Trial

Many cases settle before trial, but preparation is always at the forefront of our process. Our attorneys organize every detail from day one so we can negotiate with strength and move forward with confidence if the case proceeds to court.

Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Claim

Damages recognize what a family loses after a wrongful death. They account for both the financial support once provided and the personal connection that can never be replaced. These losses fall into two main categories:

Economic Damages

These losses represent the financial impact of a wrongful death. They account for the income, support, and tangible benefits the family relied on before the loss. These could include the following:

• Funeral expenses and burial expenses
• Medical bills and medical expenses from the final injury
• Lost income and benefits the deceased would have earned
• Loss of inheritance for surviving dependents

Non-Economic Damages

These losses address the emotional and relational impact that cannot be measured in dollars. They focus on the absence of companionship and the lasting pain a family carries, such as:

• Pain and suffering of the survivors
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
• Loss of consortium for spouses or partners

In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages if evidence shows intentional or reckless conduct. Our wrongful death attorneys document every financial detail to present a clear picture of both economic and non-economic impact.

Common Challenges in Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Insurance companies often treat loss like a line item. They question the worth of a parent’s guidance or a partner’s companionship as if those things can be measured. That approach adds frustration to an already painful situation.

Families also face pressure from uncertainty or internal disagreements about what comes next. When emotions run high, the process can start to feel more like conflict than closure. Our role is to keep the focus on progressing forward.

Our attorneys handle those conversations with focus and respect, keeping negotiations honest and grounded in fact. That balance helps families protect their interests while leaving space to grieve without added strain.

The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in California

Most wrongful death lawsuits in California must be filed within two years of the date of death, as outlined in California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Cases involving government entities or defective products may follow different timelines that are often much shorter.

Some exceptions apply, including those involving minors attempting to file a claim or situations where the cause of death wasn’t immediately clear. Delays can make it harder to locate witnesses or preserve evidence that supports the claim.

Early consultation with an attorney allows time to prepare a strong claim and helps protect the family’s right to pursue justice before the statute of limitations runs out.

Wrongful Death of Minors in Los Angeles

The loss of a child changes everything about how life feels. Familiar places become reminders, and time moves differently. When negligence causes that loss, California law treats the claim with particular care. A parent or guardian acts as the representative, and the court reviews any recovery to ensure it protects the family’s interests and honors the child’s life.

Valuing these cases is different as well. Since minors have no work history, attorneys rely on expert projections to consider what the child’s future might have included, such as education, opportunity, and personal contributions to the family. These evaluations help the court recognize what was lost.

Claims involving minors carry a deeper sense of loss and responsibility. The years that should have been lived are felt most. Our attorneys approach these cases with compassion and focus, guiding families through an experience no parent should endure.

The Legal Process: From Consultation to Resolution

Families gain a sense of direction when they know how each stage of the process works. That knowledge brings confidence and clarity during an unfamiliar time. Here’s what you can expect:

• Consultation: We evaluate the facts and determine eligibility under California law.
• Investigation: Evidence, witness statements, and expert evaluations establish fault.
• Filing: The complaint is submitted in civil court to begin the formal lawsuit.
• Negotiation: Attorneys communicate with insurance companies to seek a fair settlement.
• Trial: If the settlement fails, the case proceeds to trial for a final decision.

Throughout the process, we maintain communication through calls, secure portals, and virtual meetings, making sure that clients never feel out of touch with their case.

How a Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm Supports Families After a Loss

Wrongful death law and personal injury law share common principles. Both rely on proving duty of care, breach, causation, and damages. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer uses those principles to protect families after fatal motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, or defective products.

We coordinate medical liens, manage communication with opposing counsel, and ensure that evidence remains intact for trial. Each action supports the broader goal of helping families find closure through accountability.

Our record of successful results reflects a commitment to clients, not case volume. We handle fewer cases, so each one receives the full attention it deserves.

Accessing Resources After a Loss

Legal results mark only one part of recovery. Many families also find comfort in community programs that help them rebuild after loss.

Helpful options include:

• Local grief counseling and mental health programs.
• Church or community support groups for bereavement.
• Online organizations that connect survivors across California.

Our team regularly provides referrals to trusted bereavement resources, financial planners, and therapists who understand the unique strain of wrongful death litigation.

Why Choose Vaziri Law Group

Vaziri Law Group has earned recognition across California for results grounded in skill and compassion. Families seeking the best wrongful death lawyer trust our team to combine legal experience with genuine care. We have recovered more than $1 billion for clients and bring over 200 years of combined experience to every case.

Our multilingual staff represents the diverse communities of Los Angeles, offering guidance in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Persian.

Every client receives direct communication and personalized attention from the first call through resolution. We also take cases on contingency, which means there are no fees unless we win.

Technology makes our process easier without losing the human element. Virtual consultations, secure e-signatures, and flexible scheduling allow families to stay connected while focusing on healing and stability.

Standing Beside Families After Loss

Vaziri Law Group stands beside families who have lost someone through negligence. A wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles helps survivors seek accountability with honesty, care, and respect for what they’re going through.

We take time to listen and understand before taking action. Each step we handle is meant to lighten the weight families carry after loss. The goal is to create space for healing while we focus on the legal work that follows.

Families can reach out for a free consultation at any time. Our attorneys are here to help you move toward closure and a sense of stability.