Your Battle, Our Compass:
Long Beach Wrongful Death Attorney
Injured in Long Beach? With 460,000 residents and heavy port traffic on the 710, 405, and PCH, our attorneys handle every type of wrongful death case. Call (562) 521-8568. See all our California office locations.
⚡ JUMP TO WHAT MATTERS▾
Practice Areas We Handle in Long Beach
View All 14 Practice Areas+
Long Beach Wrongful Death Attorney: Fighting for Maximum Compensation for Grieving Families
Long Beach recorded 78 traffic fatalities in 2023, making it one of the deadliest cities in Los Angeles County outside of LA proper, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, California law gives surviving family members the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure §377.60. This statute identifies who may bring the claim—the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or anyone entitled to the decedent’s property by intestate succession under the Probate Code. Long Beach wrongful death cases frequently involve port-related truck fatalities on the 710 Freeway, fatal pedestrian crashes along the Atlantic Avenue corridor, and industrial accidents in the port and refinery district—each demanding aggressive investigation and immediate evidence preservation.
Long Beach sits at the convergence of some of Southern California’s most dangerous corridors. The 710 Freeway carries more than 40,000 trucks per day between the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the inland distribution centers, producing fatal truck-versus-passenger-vehicle collisions at an alarming rate. Pacific Coast Highway through Long Beach generates high-speed fatal crashes involving motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Our Long Beach personal injury lawyers at Compass Law Group have recovered $250 million+ for injury and death victims across California, and our dedicated wrongful death attorneys bring the financial, medical, and forensic resources these devastating cases require.
Why Choose Compass Law Group for Your Long Beach Wrongful Death Case?
- Proven wrongful death trial results — Managing partners Joseph Shirazi (Bar #265403) and Simon Esfandi (Bar #275307) have secured a $14.5 million truck accident verdict and a $13 million trial verdict—the kind of results that demonstrate willingness to take wrongful death cases to a jury when insurers refuse fair compensation.
- $250M+ recovered for California injury and death victims — Wrongful death cases demand attorneys who understand lifetime economic loss projections, vocational experts, forensic accountants, and life care planners. We invest in every resource needed to prove the full value of your loss. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
- Long Beach office with deep local knowledge — Our office at 100 Oceangate, Suite 1200, Long Beach, CA 90802 places us steps from the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse at 275 Magnolia Ave, the Long Beach Police Department, and the LA County Medical Examiner’s office—giving us immediate access to fatal accident reports, autopsy records, and court filings.
- No Win, No Fee — 24/7 availability in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean — Your family pays absolutely nothing unless we recover compensation. Call (562) 521-8568 any time, day or night.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Long Beach?
California’s wrongful death statute is narrower than most states. Under CCP §377.60, only the following individuals may file a wrongful death claim: the decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner, surviving children, and issue of deceased children (grandchildren, if the decedent’s child predeceased them). If none of these individuals exist, anyone who would be entitled to the decedent’s property under California’s intestate succession laws—including parents and siblings—may file the claim. Additionally, CCP §377.61 extends standing to putative spouses, stepchildren who were financially dependent on the decedent, and parents of the decedent’s unborn child.
In Long Beach, wrongful death claims span a wide economic range—from port workers and refinery employees killed in industrial accidents to commuters struck by commercial trucks on the 710. The economic loss calculations vary enormously depending on the decedent’s occupation, age, and number of dependents. Our attorneys work with forensic economists and vocational rehabilitation experts who specialize in wrongful death valuations across every income level. A separate but related claim—the survival action under CCP §377.30—allows the decedent’s estate to recover damages the decedent would have been entitled to had they survived, including pre-death pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost earnings from the date of injury to the date of death.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Long Beach
- Fatal truck accidents on the 710 Freeway — The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) is the primary artery between the Ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles and inland warehouses, carrying an estimated 40,000+ heavy trucks daily. Jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with stopped traffic, and tire blowouts at highway speed produce catastrophic fatalities involving fully loaded tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. Our Long Beach truck accident lawyers handle these cases from the initial CHP collision report through trial, pursuing claims against the driver, trucking company, and cargo shipper under federal Motor Carrier Safety Act regulations.
- Fatal crashes on Pacific Coast Highway — PCH through Long Beach sees high-speed collisions involving motorcyclists, pedestrians, and passenger vehicles, particularly near the intersections at 2nd Street and at Cherry Avenue. The combination of wide lanes, high posted speeds, and heavy beachside pedestrian traffic creates a deadly mix that produces multiple fatalities each year.
- Pedestrian fatalities on the Atlantic Avenue corridor — Atlantic Avenue from Bixby Knolls south through North Long Beach is one of the city’s deadliest pedestrian corridors. High traffic volumes, wide crosswalks, short signal timing, and turning vehicles contribute to fatal pedestrian strikes—especially involving elderly residents, transit users, and children near schools. Our Long Beach car accident lawyers pursue wrongful death claims on behalf of families who have lost a loved one to a negligent driver on these corridors.
- Industrial accidents in the port and refinery district — Long Beach’s waterfront is home to the Port of Long Beach—the second-busiest container port in the United States—along with multiple oil refineries, chemical processing facilities, and heavy industrial operations. Fatal workplace accidents include crane collapses, container falls, chemical explosions, forklift runovers, and confined space asphyxiation. When a third party’s negligence (not the employer) causes the death, surviving families can file a wrongful death lawsuit in addition to the workers’ compensation death benefit.
- Fatal motorcycle and bicycle accidents — Long Beach’s extensive bike lane network and motorcycle-friendly climate attract thousands of riders, but fatal collisions with turning vehicles, dooring incidents, and right-hook crashes at intersections along Broadway, Ocean Boulevard, and the LA River bike path produce preventable deaths every year.
- Medical malpractice fatalities at Long Beach hospitals — Long Beach Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, and VA Long Beach Healthcare System treat high volumes of emergency and surgical patients. Fatal medical errors—surgical mistakes, anesthesia failures, misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and medication errors—constitute wrongful death when the healthcare provider breached the standard of care.
- Nursing home neglect and elder abuse fatalities — Long Beach has dozens of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities. Deaths resulting from falls, medication errors, dehydration, malnutrition, pressure ulcers, and understaffing constitute wrongful death under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Welfare & Institutions Code §15600).
- DUI-related fatal crashes — Late-night drunk driving on PCH, along the Belmont Shore bar district on 2nd Street, and on the 710 produces fatal collisions. Surviving families can pursue both wrongful death claims against the impaired driver and dram shop claims against establishments that over-served the driver.
Wrongful Death Damages Available Under California Law
California wrongful death damages compensate the surviving family members—not the estate—for the losses they have suffered due to their loved one’s death. These are the family’s own losses, distinct from the decedent’s losses (which are recovered through a companion survival action). In Long Beach cases involving port workers, refinery employees, or professionals with decades of remaining work-life expectancy, the economic damages component can reach seven and eight figures.
- Loss of financial support — The present value of all financial contributions the decedent would have provided to the family over their remaining work-life expectancy, including salary, overtime, union benefits, pension contributions, bonuses, health insurance, and any business income. For Long Beach port workers earning $80,000–$150,000+ annually with strong union contracts, this figure alone often exceeds $3–5 million over a remaining career.
- Loss of household services — The economic value of services the decedent provided: childcare, home maintenance, transportation, financial management, meal preparation, and other domestic contributions.
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support — California law recognizes these non-economic losses for spouses, children, and other eligible family members. There is no statutory cap on non-economic wrongful death damages in California (outside the medical malpractice context under MICRA).
- Loss of training and guidance (for minor children) — When a parent dies, surviving children lose irreplaceable mentorship, discipline, education support, and life guidance. California courts recognize this as a separate compensable loss.
- Funeral and burial expenses — All reasonable costs associated with the decedent’s funeral, burial, cremation, memorial services, and related expenses.
- Punitive damages (in companion survival action) — While punitive damages are not available in the wrongful death cause of action itself, they are recoverable in the companion survival action under Civil Code §3294 when the defendant’s conduct was malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent—such as a trucking company that knowingly dispatched a driver who violated hours-of-service regulations or a refinery that concealed known safety violations.
Survival Actions: Recovering the Decedent’s Own Damages
A survival action under CCP §377.30 is filed by the decedent’s personal representative (executor or administrator of the estate) and recovers damages the decedent would have been entitled to had they survived. This includes pre-death pain and suffering (conscious pain between the injury and death), medical expenses incurred before death, and lost earnings from the date of injury to the date of death. In cases where the decedent survived for hours, days, or weeks after the negligent act—common in industrial burn injuries, refinery explosions, and medical malpractice—the survival action can add substantial value. Importantly, punitive damages are available in survival actions, providing the family with a powerful tool against defendants who acted with malice or reckless disregard for human life.
How Insurance Companies Fight Long Beach Wrongful Death Claims
Insurers facing wrongful death claims in Long Beach know the potential exposure is enormous—especially in 710 Freeway truck cases where federal regulations create additional liability—and they deploy aggressive strategies to limit payouts:
- Disputing the decedent’s future earnings — Insurers hire their own economists to project lower earnings growth, earlier retirement, and reduced overtime. In port and refinery cases, they challenge whether union pay scales would have continued, argue that automation would have eliminated the decedent’s position, and dispute the value of pension and benefits packages.
- Challenging the family’s closeness to the decedent — To minimize non-economic damages, insurers investigate the family’s relationship with the decedent—looking for marital separation, estrangement from children, or limited day-to-day involvement—to argue that the loss of companionship and support was less significant.
- Blaming the decedent (comparative fault) — Under California’s comparative negligence system (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804), the decedent’s own fault reduces the family’s recovery proportionally. Insurers aggressively argue the decedent was speeding, jaywalking, failed to wear a seatbelt, or was otherwise partially at fault for the fatal incident.
- Pressuring families to settle quickly — Insurers offer fast lowball settlements while families are in acute grief, hoping to close the claim before the full economic and non-economic damages are calculated. Our attorneys never allow this.
Compass Law Group retains independent forensic economists, vocational experts, and life care planners to counter every insurer tactic. We have recovered $250 million+ because we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
What to Do After Losing a Loved One to Wrongful Death in Long Beach
- Preserve all evidence immediately — If the death resulted from a traffic collision, request the Long Beach Police Department traffic collision report or the CHP report (for 710 Freeway incidents). If an industrial accident at the port or a refinery, request the Cal/OSHA investigation report and employer incident documentation. Photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, or any hazardous condition.
- Do not speak with the at-fault party’s insurance company — The insurer will contact you quickly, express sympathy, and ask for a recorded statement. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your family’s claim. Refer all insurer communications to your attorney.
- Obtain the death certificate and autopsy report — The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner conducts autopsies in cases involving traumatic or suspicious deaths. The autopsy report, toxicology results, and cause-of-death determination are critical evidence in your wrongful death case.
- Identify all potential defendants — Long Beach wrongful death cases often involve multiple liable parties. A fatal 710 Freeway truck accident may create claims against the driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, cargo loader, and the shipping line that contracted the haul. A fatal refinery accident may implicate the facility operator, equipment manufacturer, and third-party maintenance contractors. Early identification ensures no responsible party escapes accountability.
- Contact a Long Beach wrongful death attorney before the statute runs — Under CCP §335.1, you have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If a government entity is potentially liable (Long Beach Transit bus, City vehicle, Port of Long Beach equipment, defective road condition), a government tort claim must be filed within six months under Government Code §911.2. Call Compass Law Group at (562) 521-8568 for a free, confidential consultation.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Long Beach
Under CCP §335.1, the statute of limitations for wrongful death in California is two years from the date of the decedent’s death. This applies whether the death resulted from a truck collision on the 710 Freeway, a pedestrian strike on Atlantic Avenue, an industrial accident at the Port of Long Beach, or medical malpractice at Long Beach Medical Center. For medical malpractice wrongful death, the statute may be one year from the date the family discovered or should have discovered the malpractice, or three years from the date of injury, whichever comes first, under CCP §340.5. If a government entity is involved—a Long Beach Transit bus, a City of Long Beach vehicle, Port Authority equipment, or a defective public roadway—a government tort claim must be filed within six months under Government Code §911.2. Missing any of these deadlines permanently bars your family’s claim.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit vs. Criminal Homicide Case
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action filed by the family. A homicide prosecution is a criminal action filed by the District Attorney. These are separate proceedings with different standards of proof. The criminal case requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while the civil wrongful death case requires only a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). This means a family can win a wrongful death lawsuit even if the defendant was acquitted of criminal charges—as famously demonstrated in Goldman v. Simpson. At Compass Law Group, we coordinate with the LA County District Attorney’s office when parallel criminal proceedings exist, but we never wait for a criminal outcome to pursue the family’s civil claim.
Critical Evidence in Long Beach Wrongful Death Cases
- LBPD and CHP traffic collision reports — Official reports from the Long Beach Police Department (surface streets) or California Highway Patrol (710 Freeway, PCH) documenting the fatal collision, witness statements, citations issued, and preliminary fault determinations
- LA County Medical Examiner autopsy and toxicology reports — Cause of death, manner of death, blood alcohol or drug levels of the decedent and (when available) the at-fault party
- Electronic logging device (ELD) and black box data — In 710 Freeway truck fatalities, the truck’s ELD records hours-of-service compliance, and the event data recorder captures speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before impact. Federal regulations require preservation of this data, and our attorneys subpoena it immediately.
- Cal/OSHA investigation reports — For port and refinery fatalities, Cal/OSHA conducts a mandatory investigation. The resulting report, citations, and penalty assessments are powerful evidence of the employer or third party’s safety violations.
- Port of Long Beach security and surveillance footage — The port, 710 Freeway, and major intersections have extensive camera coverage. This footage degrades or is overwritten within days—immediate preservation is critical.
- Medical records from Long Beach hospitals — Complete records from emergency treatment through death, including surgical notes, nursing notes, medication administration records, and code blue documentation from Long Beach Medical Center, St. Mary, or VA Long Beach
- Economic expert reports — Forensic economists project the decedent’s lost future earnings, union benefit values, pension losses, and household service value. These reports are the foundation of the damages claim in every Long Beach wrongful death case.
- Accident reconstruction and industrial safety experts — In vehicle fatalities, reconstructionists use physical evidence, EDR data, and computer simulations to prove causation. In port and refinery deaths, industrial safety engineers identify the specific OSHA violations and equipment failures that caused the fatality.
Long Beach Wrongful Death Statistics and Context
- The 710 Freeway is among the deadliest corridors in Southern California — The Long Beach Freeway carries the highest truck volume of any freeway in the nation, and fatal truck-vs-passenger-vehicle collisions occur with devastating regularity between the port terminals and the 405/91 interchange
- Long Beach recorded 78 traffic fatalities in 2023 — Per the California Office of Traffic Safety, this places Long Beach among the highest per-capita traffic death rates for major California cities
- Pedestrian fatalities constitute 30%+ of Long Beach traffic deaths — The Atlantic Avenue corridor, Pacific Coast Highway, and Long Beach Boulevard are identified by the city’s Vision Zero initiative as High Injury Network segments requiring urgent safety improvements
- The Port of Long Beach handles 9+ million container units annually — This massive industrial operation creates inherent fatality risks from heavy equipment, container handling, rail movements, and hazardous cargo—with fatal workplace incidents reported to Cal/OSHA each year
- California wrongful death filings exceed 4,000 per year — Motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, medical malpractice, and elder abuse are the leading causes statewide
Contact Compass Law Group — Long Beach Wrongful Death Attorneys
The death of a loved one is the most devastating event a family can endure. When that death was caused by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct—whether a speeding truck on the 710, a negligent refinery operator, or a distracted driver on PCH—your family deserves justice and full financial accountability. Compass Law Group’s Long Beach office at 100 Oceangate, Suite 1200, Long Beach, CA 90802 is staffed 24/7, and our wrongful death attorneys serve families throughout Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Carson, Wilmington, San Pedro, and all of Los Angeles County.
Call (562) 521-8568 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. With our No Win, No Fee guarantee, your family pays nothing unless we recover compensation. Hablamos español. We also speak Farsi and Korean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Long Beach, California?+
What damages are available in a Long Beach wrongful death case?+
What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Long Beach?+
What is the average wrongful death settlement in Long Beach?+
Can I sue a trucking company for a fatal 710 Freeway accident in Long Beach?+
What if my loved one was killed in an industrial accident at the Port of Long Beach?+
Is there a cap on wrongful death damages in California?+
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?+
How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take in Long Beach?+
Do I need a wrongful death attorney in Long Beach?+
Talk to a Long Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Call Compass Law Group at (562) 521-8568. Free consultation, no fees unless we win. 24/7. Visit our Long Beach office.
Do I have a case?
Contact us today for a free consultation.
California's
Gold Standard
Injury Law Firm
With Joseph Shirazi and Simon Esfandi at the helm, our firm is a trusted name in accident law in California.
Meet Our Managing Partners
National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Avvo 10.0 Superb. Loyola Law School graduate. Recognized for his $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict.
Read Full Bio →
Super Lawyers Rising Star. Southwestern Law School graduate. Led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery.
Read Full Bio →- ★ National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- ★ Super Lawyers Rising Star
- ★ Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating
- ★ Top 40 Under 40
- ★ Consumer Attorneys of California · CAALA · AAJ
Countless Real Client Reviews Verified by Google
Jerry
After 10 accidents and 9 attorneys, the client met Simon, who stood out for his honesty and clear communication. Years later, after another accident, the client called Simon and was impressed by his professionalism and follow-through. Simon explained everything, connected him with top doctors, and kept every promise. It was the first time the client felt truly supported—highly recommending Simon and Joseph for their integrity and dedication.
Jacob
Jacob was rear-ended by a big rig and left nearly paralyzed for a year. He found Cooper Law Group, and Joseph and Simon personally helped him through the legal process. Over two years, they ensured he got the medical care and surgeries he needed, helped repair his car, and secured the compensation he deserved. He highly recommends them for truly fighting for their clients.
Blandine
During the early days of COVID, Blandine was hit by a car while biking to work. Alone and unsure of what to do, they found Compass Law Group. Joseph was the first to respond with care and clarity. Throughout the case, the team—Joseph, Simon, and Julie—provided support, regular check-ins, and made the client feel safe and cared for. They now consider the firm like family and highly recommend them for their compassion and competence.
Understanding Your Rights:
Frequently Asked
Questions
#1 Do I have a case?
Understanding whether a claim exists is one of the challenges of personal injury law. This is why we offer free initial consultations to help you make this determination and allow you an avenue to vindicate your rights.
We’re committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout Southern California, and, unlike other California personal injury attorneys, we will take on any case if we can help, no matter how big or small.
#2 What is personal injury?
Personal injury involves harm to an individual’s body or property caused by someone else’s negligence. It can range from minor to significant injuries, often requiring legal action to recover damages. We specialize in representing and securing fair settlements for such victims.
#3 Why hire Compass Law Group?
Our client-focused approach ensures personalized attention, detailed case building, and compelling evidence presentation. We’re skilled in negotiating settlements and prepared for trial with aggressive strategies. Our firm maintains transparent communication, involves clients in the process, and utilizes a wide network of expert witnesses and resources to strengthen cases. Choosing us means trusting a team dedicated to your success and justice.
#4What if I didn't go to the hospital?
No matter the injury size, you have rights that need defending. Many injuries seem minor at first but can worsen over time. Ignoring treatment or legal advice risks your health and compensation. Seek immediate medical and legal help after any accident to ensure proper diagnosis and strengthen your compensation claim.