San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligent, careless, or intentional actions is devastating. If your family member passed away due to another party’s misconduct, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim in California.

How a San Francisco Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

Our experienced San Francisco personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and determination to handle even the most complex cases. We work to:

  • Conduct a complete investigation into the fatal incident

  • Collect physical evidence, records, and documentation

  • Interview eyewitnesses

  • Identify all at-fault individuals, companies, or entities

  • Pursue every available source of compensation

  • Work with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and economists

  • Calculate current and future financial losses

  • Demand full and fair compensation

  • Negotiate a settlement; or

  • Proceed to litigation and trial when necessary.

San Francisco Wrongful Death Resources

  • What Qualifies as Wrongful Death in California?

  • Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in San Francisco?

  • How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

  • What Compensation Can Families Recover?

  • How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take?

  • How to Prove Wrongful Death in California

  • Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action

  • Contact Our San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyers

What Qualifies as Wrongful Death in San Francisco?

Under California law, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful act. These are civil claims that allow surviving family members to pursue compensation for the emotional and financial impact of the loss.

Wrongful death cases are separate from criminal charges such as homicide. Criminal cases aim to punish wrongdoers, while civil wrongful death claims seek compensation for the family.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?

California law (California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60) specifies who may file a claim, including:

  • Surviving spouse or domestic partner

  • Surviving children

  • Stepchildren or dependents

  • Parents (in certain situations)

  • Other heirs if closer relatives do not exist

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

The statute of limitations for most California wrongful death cases is:

  • 2 years from the date of death

Certain exceptions may apply, such as cases involving government agencies. It’s critical to speak with a San Francisco wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim.

What Compensation Can Families Receive?

Families may recover economic, non-economic, and in some cases punitive damages, including:

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses incurred before death

  • Funeral and burial costs

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of household services

Non-Economic Damages

  • Loss of love, companionship, and comfort

  • Emotional suffering and grief

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be available in connection with a related survival action when the defendant acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct.

How Long Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take in San Francisco?

Every case is different, but most wrongful death claims take one to four years depending on:

  • Complexity of the incident

  • Availability of evidence

  • Willingness of the insurance company to negotiate

  • Whether the case goes to trial

  • Whether appeals occur

Steps in a Wrongful Death Case

1. Investigation

Your attorney gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and builds a strong claim.

2. Negotiations

If the insurer makes an acceptable offer, the case may settle without going to court.

3. Litigation and Discovery

Both sides exchange evidence, depose witnesses, and gather expert testimony.

4. Trial

If necessary, the case proceeds to trial for a judge or jury to make a decision.

Reasons a Family Might Delay Filing

In some cases, a related criminal investigation may affect the timing. Delays can:

  • Toll the statute of limitations

  • Provide stronger evidence

  • Prevent conflicting testimony

An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help your family determine the best approach.

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