California Wrongful Death Lawyers
Losing a loved one is a trauma no family should face alone. While no amount of money can replace a life, justice provides accountability. We represent California families in multi-million dollar litigation against negligent corporations, carriers, and individuals. Serving all of California.
¿Quién Puede Presentar una Reclamación por Muerte Injusta?
Según la CCP § 377.60, California law dictates a strict hierarchy for who can bring a claim for the loss of a loved one.
Surviving spouses, domestic partners, and children of the decedent.
Parents or step-children who were financially dependent on the deceased.
The executor of the estate can file on behalf of the deceased for a 'Survival Action.'
Not sure where you stand? Call us for a private consultation: 800-707-0707
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Actions
We maximize the two distinct legal paths available to families under California law to ensure no dollar is left behind.
| Compensation Type | Standard Firm Approach | The Scranton Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Pecuniary (Financial) Loss | Calculation of current income only✗ | Lifetime earning capacity & inflation modeling✔ |
| Pérdida de consorcio | Basic emotional loss filing✗ | Deep documentation of loss of guidance & intimacy✔ |
| Survival Actions (CCP 377.30) | Often overlooked or ignored✗ | Recovering punitive damages for the estate✔ |
| Funeral & Burial | Capped at standard receipts✗ | Full recovery of all end-of-life expenses✔ |
Wrongful Death Settlements
These results represent our commitment to securing the financial future of families who have lost everything.
Navigating the Contra Costa Superior Court System
Wrongful death cases in Northern California are often heard at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. These proceedings are legally complex and require a firm that understands local court rules and the specific jury pool of Contra Costa County. Whether the fatal incident occurred at the Caldecott Tunnel, on the congested Sunol Grade, or within the city limits of Concord, we provide the aggressive advocacy needed to win.
The Statutory Deadlines: Missing the Window is Fatal
Según la Código de Procedimiento Civil de California § 335.1, families typically have dos años from the date of the death to file a lawsuit. However, this window is deceptively short. Evidence at crash scenes like the I-680 corridor is cleaned up within hours, and witnesses' memories fade. Furthermore, if a public entity like BART or a city vehicle was involved, you must file a formal claim within seis meses. We handle all filings to ensure your rights are never forfeited.
Survival Actions (CCP 377.30): Punitive Accountability
While a wrongful death claim compensates the family for *their* loss, a Survival Action allows the estate to recover damages the deceased person would have been entitled to had they lived. This includes punitive damages intended to punish the negligent corporation—a vital tool we use against trucking companies and global carriers to force a fair settlement.
"We cannot bring them back, but we can make them pay."
"When I take a wrongful death case, I am taking on the responsibility of protecting a family's entire future. The insurance adjusters see your loved one as a liability number on a spreadsheet. My firm sees the human being—the parent, the spouse, the child—and the gap they left behind. We don't just ask for a settlement; we demand justice that honors their memory."
— Chris Scranton, CEO & Trial Advocate.
What to Expect During Your Claim
We handle the legal burden so you can focus on grieving and your family's needs.
Initial Heirs Audit
We verify the legal standing of heirs under California law to ensure the claim is filed correctly from the start. We handle this quietly and professionally. Don't sign insurance releases.
Accident Scene Forensic Deep-Dive
We dispatch forensic engineers to reconstruct the fatal event. We secure black box data, surveillance footage, and coroner's reports to build an airtight case for liability.
Probate & Estate Coordination
If an estate needs to be opened to bring a Survival Action, our team coordinates the legal paperwork required for the court. We handle the bureaucracy so you don't have to.
The "Future Value" Demand
We bring in economic experts to calculate the lifetime value of lost wages, benefits, and household services. We present a massive, data-backed demand to the insurance carriers.
High-Stakes Litigation
If the defense won't accept accountability, we take them to a jury. Our 50-year reputation is the lever we use to force carriers to pay the true value of the life lost.
Resolution & Family Security
We finalize the settlement or verdict and distribute funds to the heirs. You pay nothing unless we win—justice is served and your family's future is secured.
California Wrongful Death Trial Team
Preguntas Frecuentes
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Case values are calculated based on lost future income, household services, funeral costs, and 'loss of consortium.' For high-earning individuals or fatal trucking cases, settlements often reach multi-million dollar figures.
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Wrongful death compensates the family for *their* emotional and financial loss. A Survival Action (CCP 377.30) compensates the deceased person's estate for losses incurred before death and allows for punitive damages against the defendant.
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Only if there is no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children. If no primary heirs exist, siblings may be eligible to file under California's laws of intestate succession.
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Generally, you have two years from the date of the death. However, if a public entity (like a city bus) was involved, you must file a formal claim within just six months.
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You can still file. As long as we can prove that the initial accident was the proximate cause of the death, the legal claim remains valid even if the death occurred much later.
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Standard wrongful death claims do not allow for punitive damages, but Survival Actions do. We analyze every case to see if both types of claims can be filed to maximize the recovery.
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Your civil case is independent of any criminal proceedings. Even if the driver is not convicted in criminal court, the lower 'burden of proof' in civil court often allows us to still win your case.
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We operate on a 100% contingency fee basis. We pay all court costs and expert witness fees. If we don't recover money for you, you owe us absolutely nothing.
Protect Your Family's Future. Demand Accountability.
Do not let the insurance company pressure you during this time. Let us handle the fight while you focus on your family. Available 24/7 across California.
Free & Confidential Case Audit