Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorneys
Fighting for Families of Wrongful Death Victims in Los Angeles, CA
Wrongful death occurs when an individual's demise is the result of negligence, recklessness, or deliberate actions by another party. This legal term encompasses a wide range of fatal incidents, from medical malpractice to car accidents to product defects. Wrongful death claims can be pursued by certain qualifying parties, including immediate survivors of the deceased, to seek compensation for their loss. These claims aim to address financial hardships, including funeral expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress caused by the untimely death.
If you recently lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions, you and your family deserve justice. At Carpenter & Zuckerman, we can fight to hold responsible parties accountable and secure the compensation you need to move forward. Our Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers can provide compassionate support as well as experienced, aggressive advocacy in and out of the courtroom. Our track record of recovering over $2 billion for our clients speaks for itself: We do not back down and will do everything possible to deliver the outcome you deserve.
Our legal professionals are here for you during this unimaginably difficult time. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today by calling (888) 484-2033 or contacting us online. Se habla español.
Dedicated Advocates, Always in your Corner A Team You Can Trust
Carpenter & Zuckerman is a leading personal injury law firm founded on the principle that justice for injured people takes precedence over corporate profits. CZ Law has the resources and legal expertise to fight powerful insurance carriers and corporations that do everything they can to limit their liability.
Do I Have a Wrongful Death Case in Los Angeles?
In the aftermath of unexpectedly losing a loved one, you may be understandably wondering if you have a strong wrongful death case. Winning a wrongful death case in California requires demonstrating four key elements.
First, you must show that the defendant owed the deceased a duty of care. This duty of care varies depending on the relationship and the scenario. For example, in the case of vehicular accidents, drivers owe a duty of care to other road users. In medical malpractice cases, healthcare providers have a professional obligation to abide by the standards of care when treating patients.
Second, you must establish that there was a breach of this duty through negligence, recklessness, or deliberate wrongdoing. This involves showing that the defendant's actions deviated from what a reasonable individual would have done in a similar situation. In vehicular accidents, a driver breaches their duty to other road users while operating their vehicle when under the influence or violating traffic laws. In cases of medical malpractice, evidence that a healthcare provider failed to adhere to established medical standards, resulting in patient harm, would be generally considered a breach.
Third, you must show the defendant's breach of duty directly caused the deceased’s death. This means establishing a clear link between the defendant's actions and the fatal outcome. In a medical malpractice case, for example, you might need medical experts to testify that the healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose or improper treatment directly led to the patient's death.
Finally, you must demonstrate that the death resulted in quantifiable damages. These include calculable economic damages like funeral costs as well as more intangible non-economic damages like loss of comfort or companionship.
Overwhelmed? Remember, we’re here to help! Our team can help you gather evidence and work to build the strongest possible case.
OUR PRACTICE AREAS How We Can Help
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Vehicle Accidents
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Catastrophic Injury
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Premises Liability
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Civil Rights
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Assault
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Product Liability
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Medical Malpractice
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Catastrophic Injury
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Civil Rights
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Product Liability
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Medical Malpractice
A Few Of Our Big Wins
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$131M Car Accident
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$74.53M Birth Injury
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$45M Drunk Driver
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$31.7M Brain Injury
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$29.25M Brain Injury
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$21.65M Motorcycle Accident
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$17M Brain Injury
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$16.4M Medical Malpractice
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$14.6M Commercial Vehicle
What Can My Family Recover in a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
No amount of money can make up for what you’ve lost, but you and your family should not have to worry about the potentially significant financial consequences of your loved one’s untimely passing. To recover compensation, you must file your wrongful death lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. In California, you typically have two years from the date of the deceased’s passing to start the legal process. You may lose your ability to secure compensation if you wait too long to take legal action, so do not wait to explore your options with Carpenter & Zuckerman.
Our Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys can work to recover compensation for many types of losses, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income the deceased would have earned and contributed
- Gifts you expected to receive from the deceased
- Household services the deceased would have provided
- Loss of love, comfort, companionship, and care
- Loss of affection, protection, guidance, and moral support
- Loss of consortium
How Wrongful Death Lawsuits Differ from Criminal Trials in Los Angeles
Wrongful death lawsuits and criminal trials are separate legal processes, each with distinct objectives, standards of proof, and outcomes. While both may arise from the same incident – a person's death due to another's actions – they serve different purposes within the legal system. Understanding these differences is crucial for families navigating the aftermath of a loved one’s unexpected death.
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action, meaning its primary aim is to seek financial compensation for the deceased's survivors or estate. Unlike criminal cases, the outcome of a wrongful death lawsuit does not involve penalizing the defendant with imprisonment or criminal fines. Instead, if the lawsuit is successful, the defendant is ordered to pay monetary compensation to the plaintiff.
Wrongful death cases require the plaintiff to prove the defendant’s liability "by a preponderance of the evidence." A preponderance of the evidence means that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligence or wrongdoing caused the death, and this standard is lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" requirement in criminal trials. A defendant could be found not guilty in a criminal trial but still be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit due to the different standards of proof required in each. Conversely, a successful wrongful death lawsuit does not automatically result in criminal charges against the defendant.
why choose carpenter & zuckerman? Why We Stand
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Nearly 30 Years Serving Clients
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Experienced, Compassionate Trial Lawyers
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Maximum Settlements & Verdicts
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Our Commitment: No Fees Unless You Win
My Loved One Suffered Fatal Injuries from an Assault on Hollywood Boulevard. Should I Get Legal Advice?
We strongly urge you to reach out and request legal advice if you recently lost a loved one due to assault-related injuries. Because your loved one passed away because of the intentional actions of another party, you may have a wrongful death case. If someone has not already done so, you should report the assault to the Los Angeles Police Department. Then, you should speak to our Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys.
Keep in mind that you still potentially have the right to pursue a wrongful death case even if the person accused of committing the assault is not criminally prosecuted or convicted. We can evaluate the circumstances and walk you through your legal options.
You will owe no legal fees unless we win your wrongful death case, so call (888) 484-2033 or contact us online today.
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My car was rear ended, aggravating a bulging disc. Carpenter & Zuckerman set up all my doctor appointments and paid for everything up front. They were able to get me a settlement for both my injury case and property damage case. I am very happy with the way they handled my case.- Ben A.
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- Larry T.
Carpenter & Zuckerman team was very helpful and informative. Especially Edward Cherkezian and Disha Bhagwat. This was my first time doing any of this and they helped me through step by step. Would recommend!
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My attorneys Pej and Mario were absolutely amazing. They made everything easy for me handling everything very well. They set me up perfectly to help get me the best results I could ask for. Truly appreciate all their hard work!!- Neena Z.
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- Jon C.
It was a pleasure working with C&Z. Edward was extremely helpful in making me feel confident in their ability. Would highly recommend.
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Vlad had my case that was going on for 2 years, resolved in less that 2 months! They are always on top & update you every step of the way- Luna U.
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- C.H.
Very professional. Had an amazing experience after our vehicle accident. Referral so many people because of the good experience. You're in good hands! I wouldn't go anywhere else.