Callahan & Blaine, PC is a nationally recognized personal injury litigation firm with 29 attorneys who have dedicated decades to representing profoundly injured clients and the families of those who have lost their lives due to another party’s negligence. If you are seeking a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer, Callahan & Blaine, PC has the resources, courtroom experience, and proven track record to take on even the most powerful defendants on your behalf.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by the surviving family members of a person who died as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, eligible claimants typically include a surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children of the deceased. In some cases, other dependents may also have standing to bring a claim.
What Must Be Proven
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must establish that a duty of care existed, that the defendant breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the death. This requires thorough investigation, expert testimony, and a detailed presentation of evidence. The attorneys at Callahan & Blaine, PC, understand how to build these cases and have a long history of going up against large corporations, insurance companies, and other well-funded defendants to recover maximum compensation for their clients.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most densely populated cities in the country, and its roads, highways, and workplaces are the sites of far too many fatal accidents each year. According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, unintentional injuries remain the third leading cause of death in the United States. Many of these deaths involve circumstances in which another party bears legal responsibility.
Some of the most common causes of wrongful death cases that Callahan & Blaine, PC handles in Los Angeles include the following. Each situation involves its own complex set of facts, liable parties, and applicable laws, which is why having experienced legal representation is critical.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Collisions involving passenger vehicles are among the most frequent causes of fatal accidents in the region, including Los Angeles car accidents caused by distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers.
- Truck accidents: Commercial truck crashes often involve catastrophic force and multiple liable parties, including trucking companies and negligent maintenance contractors. Our attorneys handle Los Angeles truck accident wrongful death cases aggressively.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. Fatal Los Angeles motorcycle accidents frequently result from other drivers failing to yield or check blind spots.
- Pedestrian accidents: Fatal pedestrian crashes occur daily across Los Angeles. Our firm represents families in cases arising from Los Angeles pedestrian accidents involving dangerous intersections, speeding vehicles, and negligent drivers.
- Catastrophic injury leading to death: Some deaths follow a period of severe injury, such as Los Angeles spinal cord injuries that prove fatal due to complications from the initial trauma.
These are not the only causes our attorneys handle. Wrongful death cases involving premises liability, medical malpractice, and product defects are also within our firm’s scope of representation.
With decades of courtroom success across California, our attorneys are prepared to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Damages Available in a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Case
Economic and Non-Economic Losses
California law allows surviving family members to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses resulting from the wrongful death. Economic damages typically include the financial contributions the deceased would have made to the family over the course of their lifetime, including wages, benefits, and other support. Funeral and burial costs are also recoverable.
Non-economic damages in a wrongful death case may include compensation for the loss of the deceased’s companionship, guidance, affection, and moral support. These losses, while not easily quantified, are recognized under California law as deeply meaningful and are taken seriously when presenting a case to a jury.
The Survival Action
California also allows for what is known as a survival action, which is a separate legal claim filed on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. This type of claim seeks compensation for the pain and suffering and other losses the decedent experienced between the time of injury and the time of death. Both a wrongful death claim and a survival action can be pursued simultaneously, and Callahan & Blaine, PC has the experience to handle both effectively.
Why Work With Callahan & Blaine, PC for Your Los Angeles Wrongful Death Case
Choosing the right legal team for a wrongful death case is one of the most consequential decisions a grieving family can make. Not all law firms have the resources or courtroom strength to go the distance against major corporate defendants. Callahan & Blaine, PC is different. With 29 attorneys on staff and a legacy of high-value verdicts and settlements spanning decades, the firm has earned a reputation as one of California’s most formidable personal injury litigation teams.
Dan Callahan, founding partner and one of only a select few attorneys in the United States to have achieved the prestigious status of being named a Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyer in America, has built a firm that does not shy away from complex, high-stakes litigation. Callahan & Blaine, PC represents clients on a serious and selective basis, meaning the firm is committed to every case it accepts and pursues it with the full weight of its resources and experience.
Contact Callahan & Blaine, PC to Submit Your Potential Case
When a preventable death has taken someone you love, the family deserves answers, accountability, and the full compensation allowed under California law. Callahan & Blaine, PC has the legal firepower to investigate your case thoroughly, identify all liable parties, and present the strongest possible argument for your family’s recovery. The firm handles complex, high-value litigation and is not intimidated by powerful defendants or their insurers.
If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in the Los Angeles area, do not wait to explore your legal options. Reach out to Callahan & Blaine, PC today and contact us to submit your potential case.
