Wrongful Death
Plain-English guidance on Wrongful Death — what to expect, and how a case is defended.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
California wrongful-death standing depends on a statutory claimant map, not simply who was closest to the person who died or who is handling the estate.
Wrongful Death Claim vs. Survival Action in California
A wrongful-death claim addresses eligible survivors' own losses. A survival action continues a claim held by the person who died, with a filing-date rule that matters in 2026.
What Damages Are Available in a California Wrongful Death Case?
California wrongful-death damages address each eligible claimant's financial and relationship losses. The proof must be personal, grounded, and separate from a survival action.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
California's ordinary wrongful-death period is two years, but public-entity claims, medical negligence, survival actions, and other facts can put a different deadline first.