Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer

Winning a wrongful death suit in California is no small task. The court system is complicated, with important deadlines and procedures you have to follow. The person responsible for the death of your loved one will probably have an attorney of their own to fight against your claim. You deserve an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer on your side, too; looking out for your family’s best interests.

Only certain people are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California law. Typically, a spouse or children of the person who died are allowed to file a claim on that person’s behalf for damages. When the deceased is a child, the parents of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim. Parents of an adult who is not married and has no children may also be able to file a claim, depending on the situation.

Under California law, only specific surviving family members can bring a wrongful death suit. Typically, this includes the deceased’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children. If the deceased was a child, or an unmarried adult with no children, the parents may be eligible to file. Keep in mind that California follows a strict rule where only a single wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against a defendant. Even if multiple family members have the right to sue, they must come together and file jointly, which makes hiring an experienced LA wrongful death lawyer essential to coordinate the claim.

There are different statutes of limitations in play for a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing a deadline can make it impossible to file a wrongful death claim, so the following deadlines should be kept in mind:

In most personal-injury-type cases, such as after an auto accident, you have up to two years from the death to file a suit.

If the government is involved, such as in the case of an LAPD officer driving a government vehicle and causing an accident, then you only have six months to file a claim.

The longer you wait, the more difficult it can become to prove your case. Evidence can be lost, witnesses can move away, and vital deadlines for filing a claim can be missed. Do not take any chances. Call NOVIK LAW GROUP at (818) 305-6041. Our LA wrongful death lawyers will come to you, if that’s easier. We can just sit down with you while you tell us what happened. If we can, we’ll then go to work to get justice for you.

A wrongful death claim is valid when someone’s death is directly caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm of another party. In Los Angeles, some of the most common cases our attorneys handle include:

Fatal car, truck, and motorcycle crashes

Pedestrian and bicycle collisions on busy city streets

Severe slip-and-fall accidents

Acts of violence or fatal dog attacks
If you suspect someone else’s actions caused your family member’s death, we offer free consultations to evaluate the facts of your case.

At Novik Law Group, we firmly believe that grieving families shouldn’t have to worry about legal bills. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs and zero out-of-pocket fees to hire us. We cover the costs of investigating and litigating your case, and we only get paid if we successfully recover fair compensation for you.

While no amount of money can ever replace your loved one, a successful wrongful death claim can protect your family from sudden financial ruin in an expensive city like Los Angeles. You can seek compensation for out-of-pocket costs like funeral and burial expenses, as well as the loss of your loved one’s expected future income and financial support. Additionally, California law allows families to recover non-economic damages for the loss of love, companionship, affection, and guidance.

Winning a wrongful death suit in California is complicated. The person or company responsible for your loved one’s death will undoubtedly have aggressive insurance adjusters and corporate lawyers fighting to minimize your payout. Having a seasoned Los Angeles personal injury lawyer on your side levels the playing field. We handle all communications, negotiations, and court procedures so your family isn’t taken advantage of during a vulnerable time.