California Wrongful Death Law

A wrongful death claim is a suit that arises from the death of an individual that was caused by the conduct of another. In California, a wrongful death suit is different from other types of personal injury claims because the actual victim (the "decedent") is not bringing suit, rather it is the family members or the decedent’s estate. As such, a California wrongful death claim is brought to recover damages for the injuries that the surviving family and/or estate have suffered due to the death of the victim. The damages recovered do not include damages that are personal to the decedent, since the decedent is not allowed to recover for pain and suffering, mental distress, or any other form of compensatory damages unique to him or her. The purpose of a wrongful death suit in California is to provide relief to family members who have been injured emotionally and financially as a result of the family member’s death.

In California, only certain persons can file a wrongful death suit on behalf of the decedent. Since an action for wrongful death in California is governed solely by statute, the right to bring the action is limited only to those persons described by the California Legislature in Code Civ. Proc., § 377.60. Phraner v Cote Mark, Inc. (1997, 4th Dist) 55 Cal App 4th 166, 63 Cal Rptr 2d 740. Generally,the decedent's surviving spouse, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse, who is entitled to the property of the decedent can file suit. Cal Code Civ Proc § 377.60. Under California's statute of limitations, a plaintiff must bring a cause of action for wrongful death within one year of accrual. Cal Code Civ Proc § 340. The date of accrual of a cause of action for wrongful death is the date of death. However, if the plaintiff is blamelessly ignorant of his cause of action, the date of accrual of a wrongful death cause of action is the date on which the plaintiff comes at least to suspect, or have reason to suspect, a factual basis for a claim of wrongful death. Norgart v Upjohn Co. (1999) 21 Cal 4th 383, 404, 87 Cal Rptr 2d 453, 981 P2d 79. If a heir or beneficiary is comparatively negligent for the decedent's death, negligence of an heir will merely be a ground for reduction of his damages.

In all matters involving California wrongful death lawsuits it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to file a lawsuit prior to the deadline imposed by the California wrongful death statute of limitations. If a loved one has been a victim of wrongful death in California, call Blackman Legal Group now at 1-800-444-5602 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don’t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the California wrongful death statute of limitations expires.