Your Battle, Our Compass:
Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney
Injured in Sacramento? As California’s capital city with 525,000 residents, our attorneys handle every type of wrongful death case. Call (916) 827-3262. See all our California office locations.
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Practice Areas We Handle in Sacramento
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Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorneys: Holding Negligent Parties Accountable After a Fatal Accident
In 2023, over 100 people were killed in traffic-related fatalities in Sacramento County, with fatal crashes concentrated on Highway 99 through south Sacramento, Interstate 5 through the downtown core, and the high-speed corridors connecting Elk Grove, Natomas, and Rancho Cordova. Beyond traffic deaths, Sacramento families also lose loved ones to medical malpractice at area hospitals, workplace accidents, defective products, and criminal acts. If your family has suffered the devastating loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, the Sacramento personal injury attorneys at Compass Law Group, LLP are prepared to pursue justice and full compensation on your behalf.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60, surviving spouses, domestic partners, children, and other dependents have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for their loved one’s death. These cases demand immediate investigation—critical evidence from crash scenes, hospital records, workplace safety logs, and surveillance footage disappears within days. Our Sacramento office at 1215 K St #1700, Sacramento, CA 95814 is steps from Sacramento Superior Court at 720 9th Street, where wrongful death cases are heard.
Compass Law Group has recovered $250,000,000+ for injury victims across California, including a $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict—results built on aggressive investigation, expert testimony, and a refusal to accept lowball offers from insurance companies and corporate defendants. Explore our full range of wrongful death legal services or keep reading to learn how we handle Sacramento fatal accident cases.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Why Sacramento Families Choose Compass Law Group
- $14.5M Truck Accident Verdict—Proven Results: We invest in accident reconstruction, forensic pathologists, economists, and life-care planners from day one. Our $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and $13,000,000 trial verdict demonstrate the caliber of results we deliver for families who have lost a loved one.
- Office in Downtown Sacramento: Our office at 1215 K St #1700 puts us within walking distance of Sacramento Superior Court and the government agencies involved in fatal-accident investigations—the Sacramento County Coroner, Sacramento PD, and the California Highway Patrol.
- 24/7 Availability & Multilingual Support: Fatal accidents devastate families without warning. We answer calls around the clock in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean—and we meet you wherever you need us.
- No Win, No Fee—$0 Upfront: Grieving families should not face financial barriers to justice. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Call (916) 827-3262 for a free consultation.
California Wrongful Death Law: CCP §377.60
California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60 grants specific categories of survivors the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit when a person is killed by the “wrongful act or neglect” of another. Understanding who can file, what damages are available, and the strict deadlines involved is critical to protecting your family’s rights.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Sacramento?
CCP §377.60 identifies the following persons who may bring a wrongful death action:
- The surviving spouse or domestic partner of the decedent
- The children of the decedent
- The grandchildren of the decedent (if the decedent’s children are also deceased)
- Any person who would be entitled to the decedent’s property by intestate succession under California Probate Code §6402
- Putative spouses, stepchildren, and parents of the decedent (if they were financially dependent on the decedent)
- Any minor who resided in the decedent’s household for at least 180 days prior to the death and was dependent on the decedent for at least 50% of their support
Fatal Crashes on Highway 99 and Interstate 5
Highway 99 through south Sacramento is one of the deadliest corridors in California, carrying a dangerous mix of high-speed commuters, heavy agricultural trucks, and commercial vehicles through densely populated neighborhoods. Fatal head-on collisions, high-speed rear-end crashes into stopped traffic, and multi-vehicle pileups in tule fog claim multiple lives each year. Our Sacramento car accident lawyers and truck accident lawyers investigate fatal crashes on these corridors using accident reconstruction, Caltrans camera footage, and vehicle black-box data.
Interstate 5 through downtown Sacramento carries Central Valley agricultural traffic alongside local commuters, producing fatal crashes at the I-5/I-80 interchange and the downtown exits where speed transitions from freeway to surface streets catch drivers off guard.
Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death
Wrongful death claims arising from medical errors at Sacramento hospitals—including UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento, and Mercy General Hospital—require proving that the healthcare provider deviated from the applicable standard of care and that the deviation caused or contributed to the patient’s death. Under California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), non-economic damages in medical malpractice wrongful death cases are subject to statutory caps, making it essential to maximize economic damage calculations.
Workplace Fatal Accidents
Sacramento’s construction boom in the Railyards District, Natomas, and along the riverfront, combined with agricultural operations in surrounding Sacramento County, produces workplace fatalities from falls, machinery accidents, trench collapses, and toxic exposure. While workers’ compensation death benefits are available through the employer, a third-party wrongful death lawsuit against the equipment manufacturer, property owner, or subcontractor who caused the fatal conditions allows families to recover full damages without workers’ compensation limitations.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Sacramento
- Fatal traffic crashes on Highway 99 and I-5: High-speed collisions involving commercial trucks, passenger vehicles, and motorcycles on Sacramento’s deadliest corridors.
- Pedestrian and bicycle fatalities: Fatal crashes in Midtown, the K Street corridor, and near CSUS campus where drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.
- Drunk driving fatalities: Fatal crashes caused by impaired drivers leaving Midtown bars, Old Sacramento nightlife venues, and suburban restaurants.
- Medical malpractice: Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, and delayed treatment at Sacramento-area hospitals and clinics.
- Workplace fatalities: Construction accidents, industrial machinery failures, and agricultural equipment incidents in Sacramento County.
- Defective products: Vehicle defects, industrial equipment failures, and consumer product malfunctions that cause fatal injuries.
- Nursing home neglect: Preventable deaths at Sacramento-area assisted living and skilled nursing facilities due to falls, medication errors, and inadequate supervision.
- Criminal acts: Fatal assaults, shootings, and other violent crimes where property owners or security companies failed to provide adequate security.
Damages Available in Sacramento Wrongful Death Cases
California wrongful death law entitles surviving family members to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Our attorneys calculate every category to ensure nothing is left on the table:
- Loss of financial support: The present value of the income, benefits, and financial contributions the decedent would have provided to the family over their expected lifetime. Sacramento’s government employees often carry substantial salary, pension, and benefit packages that generate significant economic loss calculations.
- Loss of household services: The monetary value of household contributions the decedent provided—childcare, home maintenance, meal preparation, transportation, and other domestic services.
- Funeral and burial expenses: All costs associated with the decedent’s funeral, burial, or cremation.
- Loss of love, companionship, and guidance: Non-economic damages compensating surviving family members for the loss of the decedent’s love, affection, moral support, training, and guidance.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation to the surviving spouse or domestic partner for the loss of the marital relationship, including companionship, intimacy, and emotional support.
Survival Action Damages (CCP §377.30)
In addition to wrongful death damages, the decedent’s estate may file a survival action under CCP §377.30 to recover damages the decedent suffered between the time of injury and death, including:
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Pain and suffering experienced before death
- Lost earnings between the date of injury and death
- Property damage
How We Investigate Sacramento Wrongful Death Cases
Fatal accident cases demand immediate, comprehensive investigation because evidence disappears quickly and memories fade. Our attorneys move to secure:
- Sacramento County Coroner reports and autopsy findings: The coroner’s determination of cause and manner of death is foundational evidence in every wrongful death case.
- Police and CHP fatal-accident investigation reports: Sacramento PD’s Major Accident Investigation Unit and CHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) conduct detailed fatal-crash investigations that produce extensive evidence.
- Caltrans freeway camera footage: Footage from I-5, I-80, US-50, and Highway 99 cameras captures fatal crash sequences but is overwritten quickly.
- Vehicle event data recorders (EDR): Black-box data preserving speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before a fatal crash.
- Medical records: Hospital records from UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center, and other treating facilities documenting the decedent’s injuries and treatment before death.
- Workplace safety records: Cal/OSHA investigation reports, employer safety logs, equipment maintenance records, and training documentation in fatal workplace accident cases.
- Expert reconstruction: Accident reconstructionists, forensic pathologists, biomechanical engineers, and economists who establish causation, quantify losses, and present findings to juries.
Government Entity Wrongful Death Claims in Sacramento
Sacramento’s concentration of government agencies, state fleet vehicles, SacRT buses and light rail, Caltrans maintenance equipment, and government-maintained roadways means a significant percentage of Sacramento wrongful death cases involve government defendants. Under Government Code §911.2, a government tort claim must be filed within six months of the death—a deadline that cannot be extended. Failure to file within this window permanently bars the wrongful death claim, regardless of its merits.
Statute of Limitations for Sacramento Wrongful Death Claims
Under CCP §377.60, surviving family members have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California.
⚠ Warning: If the death was caused by a government employee, a state vehicle, a SacRT bus, a Caltrans truck, or a dangerous road condition maintained by the City of Sacramento or Sacramento County, a government tort claim must be filed within six months of the death under Government Code §911.2. Missing this deadline permanently bars your wrongful death claim. Contact us immediately if a government entity may bear responsibility.
The Sacramento Wrongful Death Litigation Process
- Immediate investigation: We dispatch investigators to the accident scene, send evidence preservation demands, obtain coroner and police reports, and retain accident-reconstruction experts within days of the fatal incident.
- Identify all liable parties: Fatal accidents in Sacramento often involve multiple defendants—the at-fault driver, their employer, a trucking company, a vehicle manufacturer, a property owner, or a government agency. Each additional defendant opens additional insurance policies for recovery.
- Calculate full damages: Our forensic economists calculate the present value of lost income, benefits, and household services over the decedent’s expected lifetime. Our life-care planners and psychologists quantify non-economic losses.
- File the wrongful death lawsuit: Cases are filed at Sacramento Superior Court (720 9th St). If a government entity is involved, we file the government tort claim first within the six-month window.
- Aggressive negotiation and trial preparation: We prepare every case for trial from day one. Insurance companies and corporate defendants know our trial record—including a $14,500,000 truck accident verdict—and negotiate accordingly.
Wrongful Death vs. Criminal Cases in Sacramento
A wrongful death civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal prosecution arising from the same incident. The Sacramento County District Attorney may pursue criminal charges such as vehicular manslaughter (Penal Code §192(c)) or DUI murder (Penal Code §187), but a criminal conviction is not required for a wrongful death civil claim to succeed. The civil burden of proof—preponderance of the evidence—is lower than the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. Our attorneys coordinate with but operate independently from criminal proceedings to maximize the family’s civil recovery.
Contact a Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney Today
The loss of a loved one is devastating. The last thing your family should face is a fight with insurance companies and corporate defendants trying to minimize your loss. The wrongful death attorneys at Compass Law Group, LLP have recovered $250,000,000+ for injury victims across California, including a $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict—and we are ready to fight for your family.
Call us now at (916) 827-3262 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Visit our Sacramento office at 1215 K St #1700, Sacramento, CA 95814, or request a call-back through our website. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with consultations in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean. No Win, No Fee—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Sacramento?+
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Sacramento?+
What damages are available in a Sacramento wrongful death case?+
What if my loved one was killed in a crash on Highway 99 in Sacramento?+
Can I file a wrongful death claim if the at-fault driver was not criminally charged?+
What if a government vehicle caused my loved one’s death in Sacramento?+
How is a wrongful death case different from a survival action?+
How much does a Sacramento wrongful death attorney cost?+
What if my loved one was killed in a workplace accident in Sacramento?+
Where are Sacramento wrongful death cases filed?+
Talk to a Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Call (916) 827-3262. Free consultation, no fees unless we win. 24/7. Visit our Sacramento office.
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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.
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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.
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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.