Lost a loved one due to someone else’s wrongful conduct in California? Call (818) 988-7300 for a free consultation.

Family seeking support after a loss

Wrongful Death Cases

Losing a loved one is devastating — and it can be even harder when the death could have been prevented.

A wrongful death claim is not about “putting a price” on someone’s life. It is about accountability and financial support for the family — including funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of care and companionship.

I represent families throughout California, including Van Nuys, the San Fernando Valley, and surrounding communities.

  • No fees unless we recover money.
  • You never pay anything upfront — including fees or costs.
  • I remain personally involved in your case and oversee all major decisions.
  • Free, no-pressure consultation.
  • Straightforward advice about your options.

Do I Have a Case?

Get a Straight Answer From an Attorney

Submitting this form does not create an attorney–client relationship. Please do not include confidential or time-sensitive information.

What happens next

  • I’ll review your information as soon as I receive it
  • I will contact you to discuss the next steps

Wrongful Death Cases Have Strict Deadlines

California wrongful death claims are governed by strict legal deadlines. Important evidence can also be lost if a case is not investigated early.

Insurance companies often continue “investigating” or “negotiating” while deadlines are quietly approaching. Once a legal deadline passes, your case may become worthless — even if the insurance company was still communicating with you when the deadline passed.

Part of my job is making sure deadlines are identified, evidence is preserved, and your rights are protected from the start — so you’re not pressured into a decision before you understand your options.

If you’re unsure what time limits apply to your situation, a free, no-pressure consultation can help clarify your options.

Direct Communication
Clear answers, honest guidance, and straightforward communication.
We Handle the Claim
We deal with insurers and opposing counsel so you can focus on your family.
Protecting Your Case
We help preserve evidence and reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes.
Pursuing Accountability
A wrongful death claim can provide accountability and support for what was taken from your family.

Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Wrongful death claims can arise from many types of preventable tragedies. Below are common scenarios where families may have a claim.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions

Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian fatalities, and other roadway deaths caused by negligence.

Dangerous Property Conditions

Fatal falls, unsafe property, negligent security incidents, and other deaths caused by dangerous or unsafe property.

Commercial & Delivery Vehicle Deaths

Cases involving commercial trucks, delivery drivers, Uber or Lyft drivers, and company vehicles.

Workplace & Jobsite Tragedies

Fatalities caused by construction-site hazards, dangerous workplace machines, and other jobsite conditions that may create third-party claims beyond workers’ compensation.

Dangerous Products

Defective products and unsafe equipment that lead to fatal injuries.

Elder Abuse

Preventable deaths caused by neglect, abuse, dehydration, malnutrition, unsafe living conditions, or failure to protect vulnerable elders in care facilities or private settings.

What to Do After a Wrongful Death

Families are often overwhelmed in the days and weeks after a fatal incident. These steps can help protect your rights while you focus on your loved ones.

  1. Get the Basic Information and Reports

    Obtain police or investigative reports when they become available.

  2. Save Evidence

    Save photos, videos, texts, and documents relating to the incident.

  3. Obtain Witness Information

    If there were witnesses, try to obtain their names and contact information.

  4. Be Careful Communicating With the Insurance Company

    The insurance company may contact you quickly, ask for recorded statements, or request documents. Before doing so, I recommend speaking with an attorney.

  5. Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney

    A free, no-pressure consultation can help you understand your rights and how to protect them.

Important Warning: Signing Insurance Company Documents

Insurance companies sometimes contact injured people very quickly — sometimes the same day or within days of a collision — and ask them to sign paperwork. This is often an attempt to settle the case for far less than it is worth before you understand the full extent of your injuries or have a chance to speak with a lawyer.

Once you sign a release or settlement agreement, your case is usually over — even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. Do not sign any documents related to an injury claim until you’ve spoken with an attorney who can explain what you’re giving up.

A Quick Note About Calls With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters protect the insurance company — not you. If you’re asked for a recorded statement, it’s almost always better to speak to an attorney first so you better understand your rights.

Wrongful Death Q&A

Clear answers to common questions families have after a wrongful death.

I want an attorney, but I don’t have money for one. What can I do?
I work on a contingency fee. That means you never pay anything upfront — including fees or costs — and you do not owe attorney’s fees unless money is recovered in your case. If there is no recovery, you do not owe me a fee.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim in California?
In many cases, the claim is brought by a spouse, domestic partner, children, or other qualifying family members. Who has standing can be a key issue — especially in blended families or situations where multiple people may be involved. A consultation can help you understand who may have rights and how the claim should be handled.

How are wrongful death cases investigated and proven?
These cases often involve incident reports, witness statements, photos and videos, medical records, and sometimes experts. The focus is establishing responsibility and documenting what was taken from the family — including financial support and the loss of care and companionship.

What compensation may be recoverable in a wrongful death claim?
Compensation depends on the facts of the case and the family’s relationship to the person who died. Common categories can include funeral and burial expenses, the lost financial support your loved one would likely have provided, the value of household services (such as childcare and household support), and the loss of love, companionship, care, guidance, and support.

In some cases, additional claims may also be available for the pain, suffering, or distress the person endured before passing. These issues are highly fact-specific, and a consultation can help you understand what may apply in your case.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, can I make a wrongful death claim?
Yes. Undocumented immigrants can pursue wrongful death claims. Immigration status is not a defense to negligence, and the parties in the case generally cannot use the lawsuit as a way to inquire into immigration status.

What if I cannot travel to your Van Nuys office to sign up?
That’s not a problem. Most clients sign up remotely. We can review your situation by phone or video, and documents can be sent for electronic signature so you can retain our office without traveling.
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