Beverly Hills Wrongful Death Attorney

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when someone dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60, certain surviving family members have the right to seek compensation for the losses caused by that death. We help Beverly Hills families understand whether they have a viable claim and guide them through every step of the legal process.

California law limits who may bring a wrongful death action to the decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and — if none exist — anyone else who would inherit under the state’s intestate succession laws, such as parents or siblings. Dependent minors who were financially supported by the deceased may also qualify. We evaluate your specific family circumstances to confirm your standing before filing.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is generally two years from the date of death. If the defendant is a government entity — such as the City of Beverly Hills — you typically have only six months to file an administrative tort claim before pursuing a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines almost always bars your claim permanently, so contacting us as early as possible is critical.

Surviving family members may recover economic damages such as the financial support the deceased would have provided, the value of household services lost, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of expected gifts or inheritance. They may also recover non-economic damages for the loss of love, companionship, comfort, moral support, and guidance. In cases of egregious misconduct, the estate may separately pursue a survival action seeking punitive damages.

California follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning that even if the deceased was partially responsible for the incident — for example, a pedestrian crossing against the signal on Wilshire Boulevard near Rodeo Drive — the family can still recover damages reduced proportionally by that degree of fault. We work to minimize any fault attributed to your loved one by building a thorough evidentiary record. Unlike some states, California does not bar recovery even if the deceased bore significant responsibility.

When multiple plaintiffs bring a wrongful death claim, California law requires that any recovery be divided among them in a single action — the court apportions the award based on each claimant’s proportionate loss. Disputes among family members over allocation can arise, which is why having experienced legal counsel representing the family’s collective interests is so important. We work to ensure every eligible survivor’s interests are properly presented to the jury or mediator.

Yes. If the at-fault individual has died, a claim can often be brought against their estate. If a company has dissolved, successor entities, insurance carriers, or parent corporations may still bear liability. We investigate all potentially responsible parties — including employers, property owners, and product manufacturers — to identify every available source of recovery for your family.

A wrongful death action is brought by surviving family members for their own losses — such as lost financial support and loss of companionship. A survival action, by contrast, is brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate and seeks to recover damages the decedent personally suffered before death, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost earnings from injury to death. In many Beverly Hills cases we file both simultaneously to maximize the total recovery available to the family.

No. The vast majority of wrongful death cases are based on negligence — meaning the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care, not that they intended to cause harm. Whether the death resulted from a car accident on Santa Monica Boulevard, medical malpractice at Cedars-Sinai, a defective product, or a dangerous property condition, we only need to prove that the defendant’s lack of reasonable care caused the fatal injury. Intent is relevant only when pursuing punitive damages.

Most wrongful death cases in Los Angeles County resolve within one to three years, depending on the complexity of the liability issues, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse or a Beverly Hills venue. Cases involving disputed liability or multiple parties naturally take longer, while clear-liability claims against insured defendants often settle in mediation within twelve to eighteen months. We give you realistic timelines at the outset so your family can plan accordingly.

Do not provide a recorded statement, sign any release, or accept any settlement offer from an insurance adjuster before speaking with us. Insurance companies routinely contact grieving families early in the process and may offer a quick, low settlement that is a fraction of what the case is actually worth. Once you sign a release, you permanently forfeit your right to seek additional compensation — we negotiate on your behalf to secure the full value of your family’s loss.

Funeral, burial, and any medical expenses incurred in connection with the decedent’s final injury or illness are compensable damages in a wrongful death action. We typically work with medical providers on liens so that costs are not paid out-of-pocket up front but are instead satisfied from the eventual settlement or verdict. Our goal is to ensure your family does not bear these financial burdens while the case is pending.

Yes. A civil wrongful death lawsuit is entirely independent of any criminal prosecution and can proceed simultaneously. The standard of proof in a civil case — a preponderance of the evidence — is lower than the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt, which means a family may prevail in civil court even if the defendant is acquitted criminally. We coordinate closely with prosecutors when appropriate but do not rely on a criminal conviction to build your civil case.

We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery — agreed upon in advance and fully explained before you sign anything. There are no upfront retainer fees, no out-of-pocket costs for investigation or expert witnesses, and no hourly billing. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.

We offer a free, confidential consultation at our Beverly Hills office or by phone — whichever is easier for your family in this difficult time. It helps to bring any police reports, medical records, death certificate, insurance information, and documentation of the deceased’s income and benefits, though we can obtain records ourselves if needed. Call us today to schedule your consultation; the sooner we begin preserving evidence and interviewing witnesses, the stronger your case will be.