Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one unexpectedly is one of the most painful experiences a family can endure—especially when their death was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. In these moments of grief, the legal system may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

A wrongful death claim offers a path toward accountability and justice. While no amount of money can replace your loss, holding the responsible party accountable can bring a sense of closure and help ease the financial burden left behind.

This is where Derek Pakiz and Robert Reeves can help you. They are experienced Los Angeles wrongful and preventable death attorneys at The Reeves Law Group, and they specialize in cases involving serious and fatal accidents and injuries.

With over $250,000,000 recovered for clients, Derek Pakiz is the only personal injury attorney in California certified in both Civil Trial as well as Truck Accident Law, which can be a very significant factor in any major trial or settlement case if your family’s wrongful or preventable death is traffic-related.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when a loved one’s death results from another person’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. While no legal action can ever truly compensate for such a loss, this type of claim helps surviving family members recover financial support and hold the responsible party accountable.

In Los Angeles, organizations such as Our House Grief Support Center and local chapters of The Compassionate Friends offer invaluable resources like counseling, group therapy, and community support. These services help families navigate grief and rebuild their lives following the tragic loss of a loved one.

We are also committed not just to your legal case but to helping your family find comprehensive support and comfort during your healing journey.

Wrongful Death | Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers, The Reeves Law Group

What Are Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

They commonly result from various types of negligence and preventable accidents. Some of the most frequent causes include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Los Angeles consistently ranks among the nation’s highest for fatal traffic incidents, with 336 traffic-related deaths recorded in 2023 alone. Common locations for serious accidents include busy highways like the I-5, I-405, and intersections notorious for pedestrian and cycling injuries.
• Workplace Accidents: Fatal incidents at worksites, particularly in construction zones or industrial settings, frequently result from falls, equipment failures, or inadequate safety measures. Even with workers’ compensation benefits, families may still pursue claims in certain situations involving third-party negligence.
• Medical Malpractice: Fatal errors made by healthcare providers, such as misdiagnoses, surgical mistakes, or preventable birth injuries, continue to be a significant cause of wrongful death claims. These cases require extensive expertise and careful handling due to their complexity.
• Defective Products: Faulty products—including vehicle parts, household appliances, or pharmaceuticals—that cause fatal injuries can lead to lawsuits against manufacturers or distributors.
• Criminal Acts: Families can file claims following fatalities resulting from criminal behavior, including drunk driving incidents, shootings, or assaults, even if the responsible party is already facing criminal charges.
• Premises Liability Deaths: Fatal accidents occurring due to unsafe conditions on properties, such as slips and falls, drownings in poorly secured pools, fires, or inadequate security leading to violent incidents, can hold property owners liable.

Uncommon Wrongful Death Cases – Could It Happen to You?

Yes, uncommon cases could happen to anyone when unexpected negligence or dangerous conditions lead to a tragic loss. While many cases involve familiar scenarios, certain less common situations can also justify filing a wrongful death claim.

Our attorneys at The Reeves Law Group have the experience to handle these more unusual and complex circumstances, including:

• Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect: Tragically, fatalities due to inadequate care, neglect, or direct abuse in nursing homes occur more often than many realize. Families have the right to hold negligent facilities accountable for these heartbreaking losses.
• Police or Government Liability: Deaths resulting from police actions, such as wrongful shootings or accidents during high-speed pursuits, can lead to lawsuits against government entities, although these cases involve specific legal procedures and shorter claim deadlines.
• Toxic Exposures: Fatal exposure to harmful substances—such as chemicals at workplaces, environmental contamination, or hazardous spills—can form the basis for a wrongful death lawsuit, sometimes involving complex investigations and expert testimony.
• Public Transportation Accidents: Fatal accidents involving buses, metro trains, or Metrolink services in may result in wrongful death claims against transit authorities or private companies responsible for the vehicle’s safety.
• Wildfire or Disaster Fatalities: In situations where negligence leads to deadly disasters—such as utility companies failing to properly maintain power lines, resulting in wildfires—families can seek compensation through wrongful death litigation, often in highly publicized cases.

A Review of our Law Firm

“When my father was killed in a car accident from a drunk driver it felt like my whole world collapsed on me. It was the most stressful time in my life and it was a big blur. The whole thing took longer than I expected but the outcome was much more than I expected. I would recommend Robert Reeves to anyone who has a personal injury matter and needs serious help.”
Steven A. via Avvo
Review Rating: 5 / 5

Date Published: 03-08-2022

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

In California, specific family members have the legal right to file a claim following the loss of a loved one. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60, eligible claimants typically include:

• A surviving spouse or registered domestic partner.
• Children of the deceased, or grandchildren if the children have predeceased.
• Parents or siblings, but only if there are no direct surviving descendants.

Additionally, individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased—such as stepchildren or putative spouses (individuals who genuinely believed they were married)—may also be eligible to join the lawsuit.

California law allows for only one wrongful death claim per decedent, meaning all eligible family members typically join together in a single lawsuit. Coordinating this can feel overwhelming, but our experienced attorneys at The Reeves Law Group are here to guide your family through every step, ensuring your rights and interests are fully protected.

What Are My Rights as a Family Member of the Victim?

One critical right is the ability to seek financial recovery for losses you’ve experienced due to your loved one’s death, including economic support, emotional suffering, and other related damages.

You also have the right to hold negligent individuals or entities accountable in civil court, regardless of any criminal charges or penalties they may or may not face. Additionally, in some cases—especially those involving minor children or complex estates—a personal representative may be appointed to file and manage the lawsuit on behalf of all eligible family members.

What Compensation Can We Recover for Suing someone for Wrongful Death?

Your family may recover both economic and non-economic damages to help address the significant impacts of your loss after suing one or more accountable and at-fault parties.

Economic Damages refer to tangible, quantifiable losses, which typically include:

• Medical expenses related to your loved one’s final injury or illness.
• Funeral and burial costs (limited to reasonable expenses).
• Lost income and financial support your family would have received if your loved one had lived.
• The value of household services your loved one provided, such as childcare, home maintenance, or other domestic duties.

Non-Economic Damages compensate your family for emotional and intangible losses, such as:

• Loss of companionship, affection, and emotional support for spouses and partners.
• Loss of guidance, nurturing, and parental care for surviving children.
• Emotional pain and suffering experienced due to your loved one’s death.
• Loss of consortium, which includes the loss of marital companionship and intimacy for a surviving spouse.

In California, compensation for the deceased’s pain and suffering isn’t available through a wrongful death claim but may be recovered through a survival action. Our wrongful death experts at The Reeves Law Group will assess your case to pursue all possible compensation.

What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action?

A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their personal losses, while a survival action seeks damages for the losses the deceased person suffered before death, pursued by the estate.

How Do I Prove a Wrongful Death Claim?

Proving a wrongful death claim requires establishing certain legal elements. To win your case, our plaintiff’s attorneys at The Reeves Law Group must demonstrate the following:

1. Duty of Care: We must show that the defendant owed a responsibility to act reasonably and safely toward your loved one. For example, a driver must follow traffic laws, and a doctor must provide competent medical care.
2. Breach of Duty: We need to prove that the defendant breached this responsibility through negligence or reckless behavior. Examples include speeding, failing to repair dangerous conditions on property, or providing substandard medical treatment.
3. Causation: It’s critical to establish a direct link between the defendant’s negligence and your loved one’s death. We demonstrate clearly that, without the defendant’s actions or inaction, your family member would still be alive today.
4. Damages: Lastly, we must show that your loved one’s death resulted in real, measurable losses for you and your family—financially, emotionally, or both.

Gathering strong evidence—including police reports, eyewitness accounts, expert analysis, and documentation of your family’s losses—is essential. Our attorneys act immediately to preserve and collect this evidence, ensuring we meet California’s strict legal standards and build a compelling case on your family’s behalf.

Is There a Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?

Generally, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to initiate legal action. Missing this two-year window usually means losing the right to seek compensation altogether.

Certain situations involve shorter deadlines or special conditions:

• Medical Malpractice: claims involving medical negligence typically must be filed within one year from discovering the malpractice, with a maximum of three years from the date of death.
• Claims Against Government Entities: If a government entity—such as the City of Los Angeles—is responsible, you must file a government claim notice within six months of your loved one’s passing, due to the California Tort Claims Act.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney?

The attorneys at the Reeves Law Group only receive payment if we successfully recover compensation for your family.

Under this arrangement, our fee is simply a percentage of the settlement or verdict awarded in your case. This approach ensures our interests align directly with yours—motivating us to secure the maximum compensation possible for your family.

Additionally, your initial consultation with our compassionate Los Angeles attorneys is always free. We want to make certain that financial constraints never prevent you from seeking the justice your loved one deserves.

Contact our LAW FIRM that handles Wrongful Death Claims in Los Angeles

Attorney Derek Pakiz at The Reeves Law Group is here to ensure that you’re not alone in fighting for justice in a wrongful death plaintiff’s case!

Our law firm’s strength lies not only in its legal expertise and vast financial resources but also in its incredible care and attention to helping its clients.

You can expect nothing less than compassionate service and unmatched dedication.

Dealing with a family member’s passing, medical bills, insurance companies, and funeral and burial expenses is not easy, we’re here to help.

If you have lost a loved one to a fatal accident, you may seek compensation for your loss. Call (800) 644-8000 or contact us for a free immediate consultation regarding your potential civil suit and monetary compensation that may be available.

Why Choose US?

• $250,000,000+ Recovered For Our Clients
• Newsweek’s 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys
• No Fee Guarantee – No Fees Unless We Win

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