West Hollywood Wrongful Death Lawyer

The wrongful death claim compensates the family for what they lost: financial support, the value of household services, and the loss of the relationship itself (Code of Civil Procedure § 377.61). The survival action, brought by the personal representative or successor in interest, carries the claim the person themselves would have had (§ 377.30).

They are pleaded together because they cover different losses and the evidence overlaps completely. Which family members are named, and who serves as successor in interest, is worth settling before anything is filed — reopening it later is disruptive.

The general limitation period is two years from the death (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). Where a public entity is a defendant, the six-month government claim requirement in Government Code § 911.2 arrives long before that, and missing it can end an otherwise sound case.

If the death followed medical care, a different and shorter framework applies (Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5). If you are unsure which applies, ask early; the consultation costs nothing and the answer is usually quick.

We obtain the Sheriff's report and the Medical Examiner's records, send preservation demands for video and vehicle or premises evidence, and deal with every insurer and investigator so no one calls the household.

Where probate or an estate representative is required for the survival claim, we coordinate with estate counsel rather than asking the family to assemble it.