What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when someone dies due to another party’s negligence, misconduct, or wrongful act. It is separate from any criminal proceedings and exists specifically to compensate surviving family members for the losses they suffer as a result of that death. Common causes include car and truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, workplace incidents, and premises liability.
We have handled wrongful death cases throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles for decades, recovering compensation for families facing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. A wrongful death lawyer in Redondo Beach can evaluate whether your family has grounds to pursue a claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 defines who may bring a wrongful death claim. We can help determine which category applies to your family’s situation. Eligible parties typically include:
- The surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Children of the deceased, including the issue of deceased children
- If no surviving children exist, persons entitled to inherit under California’s intestacy laws, which can include parents or siblings
- Dependent stepchildren, putative spouses, and parents who were financially dependent on the deceased
Blended families, minor children, and multiple potential claimants can complicate eligibility and distribution. Our law firm in Redondo Beach reviews every family’s specific circumstances before filing.
It’s a tragic reality that while many accidents result in severe personal injuries, entirely too many result in utterly needless, utterly avoidable deaths. To see a life lost because of someone else’s negligence…it’s an excruciating thing.
And yet, this is what so many families in and around South Bay have to deal with. They lose loved ones in avoidable car accidents or work site accidents. Large corporations cut corners in the name of profits and innocent people die.
Our Redondo Beach wrongful death lawyers know this isn’t right. We know what you’re dealing with in the aftermath of such a tragic loss. And we will help you fight for the compensation your family deserves.
If you live in the Los Angeles County, California area and need an experienced wrongful death lawyer to get the answers you deserve, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
Read through our guide to wrongful death claims
Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case
We know that it can be tough to thing about anything else after the loss of your loved one, especially money. You don’t want to deal with lawyers and paperwork – you want to grieve. You want to be with your family.
We respect this desire, and it’s completely fair. However, speaking with our Redondo Beach wrongful death lawyers after the fatal accident is the right thing for you, your family and the memory of your loved one.
Why? Our wrongful death lawyers in Redondo Beach, CA can discuss your case at a free initial consultation and help you determine if legal action is the right course for you. If it is, we can pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- The lost wages of your loved one
- Lost companionship
- Funeral expenses
Medical care in the US is not cheap. Neither are funeral services. And you’re only dealing with these expenses because someone made an avoidable mistake and your loved one lost his or her life as a result.
Money won’t bring your loved one back, and a legal victory isn’t a salve for all of your pain. But it can help with the expenses associated with the sudden loss of a loved one, and we can allow you to focus on grieving while we handle the legal matters.
Why Choose Our Redondo Beach Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Decades of wrongful death experience: Kirtland & Packard has represented grieving families throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles since the 1930s, handling cases involving car accidents, truck collisions, defective products, and more.
- Thorough investigation from day one: We preserve evidence, retain experts, and identify every liable party before insurers have a chance to minimize what happened.
- Full damage calculation: We work with economists and life-care planners to quantify financial losses, lost support, and non-economic damages, including loss of companionship and parental guidance.
- Accessible when it matters most: We offer free consultations for all our clients with a flexible schedule.
- No fees unless we win: Every wrongful death case is handled on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
Read more about wrongful death claims in our blog
If you lost a loved one in South Bay, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County or surrounding areas of California and you want to speak to a wrongful death lawyer about your case, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim?
California's general statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Claims involving a government entity must be filed as a tort claim within 6 months. A South Bay wrongful death attorney can confirm which deadline applies and ensure nothing is missed before the window closes.
How is a wrongful death settlement calculated?
Settlement value depends on liability strength, the deceased's age and income, available insurance coverage, the financial dependence of surviving family members, and documented non-economic losses. There is no universal average. We build a full damages model for every case using expert testimony, economic projections, and medical evidence to establish what your family's claim is actually worth.
Do wrongful death cases go to trial?
Most resolve through a negotiated settlement before trial. However, when insurers deny liability or offer inadequate compensation, we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. That preparation is what creates real leverage in negotiations. A brain injury lawyer in Redondo Beach or a wrongful death attorney from our team can explain what litigation would look like for your specific situation.
How do I start a wrongful death claim in Redondo Beach?
Contact our team for a free consultation. We will review the circumstances of your loved one's death, identify liable parties, and explain your legal options at no cost. If a motor vehicle defect attorney or another specialist is needed based on the cause of death, we have the depth to handle it. A Redondo Beach wrongful death lawyer from Kirtland & Packard is available 24/7 at (310) 536-1000. Se habla español.