Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is devastating, and the questions that follow can feel impossible: how to cover funeral costs, how to replace lost income, and who should be held responsible. A Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer can handle the legal side so your family can focus on grieving. Pacific Law Firm helps families understand their rights and pursue justice and fair compensation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

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How We Handle Wrongful Death Cases

We manage every stage of your wrongful death claim, from investigation through settlement or trial. Our goal is to build a strong case that clearly establishes who is responsible and secures the compensation your family needs to move forward.

We handle insurance negotiations, gather evidence, keep you informed at every step, and prepare every case as if it may need to go to trial.

Not sure if your loss counts as a wrongful death claim? Get in touch. Your consultation is free, and we’ll help you figure out exactly where your case stands.

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Los Angeles

A wrongful death claim can arise whenever negligence or a wrongful act ends a life. We represent families in cases involving:

Car accidents, including rideshare crashes, hit-and-run accidents, and crashes involving a driver suspected of DUI
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Medical malpractice, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and medication errors
Workplace accidents
Slip and fall deaths and other unsafe property conditions
Other deaths caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles recorded 368 traffic deaths in 2022 and 333 in 2023, according to reporting on the City’s Vision Zero data. Many fatal accidents come down to a preventable mistake. Common causes include:

Distracted driving, including phone use behind the wheel
Speeding, particularly on freeways like the I-405, US-101, I-10 and I-5 and on wide surface boulevards
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Running red lights or stop signs, and failure to yield to pedestrians
Hit-and-run drivers who leave the scene
Medical negligence, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and medication mistakes
Unsafe workplaces and failure to follow safety rules
Hazardous property conditions that a property owner failed to fix

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California

California law (Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60) limits who can bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, the claim can be brought by:

The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner, the children, and the children of any deceased child
If there are none of those, the people who would inherit the person’s property under California law, such as parents or siblings
A putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were dependent on the person who died
A minor who lived in the person’s household for the previous 180 days and relied on them for at least half of their support
The personal representative of the person who died, who can bring the claim on behalf of the eligible family members

Who qualifies can depend on your family’s circumstances, so ask us if you are unsure. There is no cost to find out.

What Families Can Recover

A wrongful death case can include two kinds of claims.

The family’s wrongful death claim covers what the family lost because of the death:

Economic damages, such as funeral and burial costs, the financial support the person would have provided, and the value of household services they would have provided
Non-economic damages, such as the loss of the person’s love, companionship, comfort, care, protection, affection, moral support, and guidance

The survival action is brought on behalf of the person who died and covers their own losses before death:

Medical expenses and lost income between the injury and the death
In some cases, punitive damages for especially wrongful conduct

California law on whether a survival action can also recover the person’s own pain and suffering has changed in recent years, and it depends on when the case is filed. We will tell you exactly what applies to your family’s case.

Our Legal Approach

Step 1: We Listen to Your Family’s Story. The first thing we do is listen. We want to know who you lost, what happened, and how it is affecting your family right now.

Step 2: We Look at What Happened and Find Who’s Responsible. Once we know your story, we look closely at the circumstances and figure out who caused the death and how much they should pay.

Step 3: We Gather Strong Proof. We build your case with real proof, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and the medical examiner’s findings, so your claim is backed by solid evidence.

Step 4: We Deal With the Insurance Company for You. We take over all communication with the insurance company. Your family won’t have to deal with adjusters or confusing paperwork on your own.

Step 5: We Fight for the Full Amount Your Family Deserves. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, and we don’t stop until we’ve pursued the full compensation your family is entitled to, not just a quick, low payout.

How Insurance Companies Try to Reduce Your Payout

Insurance companies are businesses. Their main goal is to pay out as little money as possible, and grieving families are often an easy target. Adjusters are trained to use certain tactics to lower your payout or get you to give up. Here are some common ones:

Fast, low offers. They may offer you money right away, before your family understands the full extent of its losses. This early offer is often much less than your case is worth.
Pressure to sign. They may push you to sign a release quickly, before you have had time to speak with a lawyer. Once you sign, the claim is closed for good.
Recorded statements. They may ask you to give a recorded statement about what happened. They can later use your own words against you.
Blaming the person who died. They may try to say your loved one was more at fault than they really were, so they have to pay less.
Disputing the cause of death. They may argue that a health condition, not the accident, caused or contributed to the death.
Delays. They may take a long time to respond or make a decision, hoping you’ll accept a lower offer just to be done with it.
Friendly phone calls. An adjuster may sound kind and sympathetic, but their job is still to protect the insurance company’s money, not to look out for your family.

Having an attorney speak to the insurance company for you can stop these tactics from working.

Fault and Compensation Under California Law

California follows a rule called pure comparative negligence, established by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). Here’s what that means for your family:

Your family can still recover compensation even if the person who died was partially at fault
The award is simply reduced by their percentage of fault, not eliminated
California generally does not cap compensatory damages in a standard wrongful death claim, although medical malpractice claims are subject to a separate limit on non-economic damages that increases each year under Assembly Bill 35

More than one insurance policy may apply to your case, including the at-fault party’s liability coverage, your loved one’s own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, a rideshare company’s commercial policy if Uber or Lyft was involved, or an employer’s or property owner’s liability policy. If the death happened at work, workers’ compensation death benefits may also be available, in addition to a possible claim against a third party such as a contractor or equipment maker.

Important Dates to Remember

Missing a deadline can cost your family the right to file. Here’s what to know at a glance:

Standard Wrongful Death Claim

File within: 2 years of the date of death (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1)

If a Government Entity Was Responsible (such as a City of Los Angeles vehicle, a public bus, or city-maintained property)

File a formal claim within: 6 months of the date of death (Government Code Section 911.2)

If Medical Malpractice Was Involved

Medical malpractice claims have their own, often shorter, deadlines and notice requirements. Contact us as soon as possible.

For claims against the City of Los Angeles, the City Attorney’s claims page states that claims for death or injury must be filed no later than six months after the date of the incident. Claims go to the Los Angeles City Clerk, at City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Room 395, or through the City Clerk’s online claim process.

It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, especially if a government entity may be involved.

Local Support in Los Angeles

Pacific Law Firm is based in San Francisco and represents families throughout Los Angeles. We are familiar with the busy corridors where fatal crashes happen, including the I-405, US-101, I-10, I-5, and the Harbor Freeway (SR-110). We help families obtain the records that matter, including police reports, medical records, and the medical examiner’s findings. A wrongful death lawsuit arising from a death in Los Angeles would typically be filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

What Happens After You Contact Us

When you contact Pacific Law Firm, we review your case and explain your legal options clearly. If we take your case, we handle the insurance companies, collect evidence, and build your claim while keeping you updated at every stage.

The Wrongful Death Claims Process

While every case is different, a typical wrongful death claim moves through the following stages:

Free consultation. We listen to what happened, review the facts, and explain your family’s options.
Investigation. We gather the police report, medical records, witness statements, the medical examiner’s findings, and any available video or physical evidence.
Identifying who can file. We confirm which family members can bring the claim and whether a personal representative should file on behalf of the estate.
Documenting your losses. We document funeral costs, lost financial support, and the other ways your family has been affected, which is essential to valuing your claim accurately.
Demand to the insurance company. Once your losses are clear, we send a demand letter outlining liability and damages.
Negotiation. We negotiate with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement.
Filing suit, if needed. If the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and litigate your case.
Resolution. Most cases resolve through settlement, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

Meet Your Attorney

Aria Noosha is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Pacific Law Firm. A Harvard Law School graduate, he’s been licensed to practice in California since 2021.

He personally handles the strategy on every wrongful death case the firm takes on, rather than passing families off to a case manager.

Aria is a member of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, the Bar Association of San Francisco, the Iranian American Bar Association, and the Mexican American Bar Association, and he communicates with clients in English, Spanish, and Farsi.

What Our Clients Say

“I lost a family member due to negligence, and they supported us through a very difficult time. They fought for justice and treated our case with respect and care.” — Robert Johnson, Wrongful Death Claim

Speak With an Attorney

Call now for a free consultation and discuss your Los Angeles wrongful death case with an experienced legal professional.

Call: 855-722-5290

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FAQ

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?

Generally the surviving spouse or domestic partner, the children, and the children of a deceased child. If there are none, the people who would inherit the person’s property can file. Certain others, such as a putative spouse, stepchildren, parents who were dependent on the person, or a dependent minor in the household, may also qualify. The personal representative of the estate can bring the claim on their behalf.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Los Angeles?

Generally two years from the date of death. If a government entity, such as the City of Los Angeles or a public agency, was responsible, the deadline to file a claim is only six months. Medical malpractice claims have their own deadlines.

What compensation can my family recover?

A wrongful death claim can include funeral and burial costs, the financial support your loved one would have provided, the value of household services, and the loss of their love, companionship, comfort, care, and guidance. A separate survival action can recover the person’s own losses before death, such as medical bills and lost income.

What if the person who died was partly at fault?

California is a pure comparative negligence state, so your family can still recover compensation even if the person who died shares some fault. The compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault rather than eliminated entirely.