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Losing someone you love because of another person’s negligence is devastating. You’re likely grieving, angry, and unsure where to turn, all while facing unexpected medical bills and funeral expenses. We understand how overwhelming this is. For more than 20 years, our team has helped families across California find justice and hold negligent parties accountable. The Goldwater Law Firm team can connect you with an experienced wrongful death attorney in California who can guide you through every step of the process. Contact us today for a complimentary, confidential consultation.
A personal injury lawyer from one of our co-counsels near you can fight for the compensation you may qualify for.
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Why Choose The Goldwater Law Firm to Help Your Family
When tragedy strikes, you deserve a team that treats your family with compassion and fights with relentless dedication. The Goldwater Law Firm has built a nationwide reputation as The Gold Standard of Injury Law, partnering with many of the country’s most respected wrongful death attorneys.
We believe every client’s story matters. Our co-counsel network spans California and beyond, allowing us to match families with the right legal team for their unique case. These law firm partners understand how to investigate complex wrongful death claims, identify liable parties, and pursue maximum compensation, all while treating you with the empathy and respect you deserve.
Since our founding, we’ve stood up to powerful corporations and insurance companies that put profits ahead of people. When you choose The Goldwater Law Firm, you’re choosing a partner committed to protecting your rights, easing your burden, and helping you seek the justice your loved one’s memory deserves.
Need a Wrongful Death Attorney in California?
How a Lawyer Can Help You After the Loss of a Loved One
Pursuing a wrongful death case can feel impossible while you’re still trying to process what happened and grieve your loss. That’s where our trusted law firm partners step in. When you contact The Goldwater Law Firm, we connect you with our co-counsel in California who can handle every legal detail while you focus on healing and supporting your family.
Your attorney will:
- Investigate the cause of your loved one’s death and gather crucial evidence
- Identify all liable parties, including negligent drivers, companies, or other responsible entities
- Work with experts such as accident reconstructionists and financial specialists to build a strong case
- Negotiate with insurance companies that often try to minimize payouts
- Represent your family in court if that is the best way to fight for the compensation you need
Our co-counsels handle a wide range of wrongful death cases across California, including:
- Car accidents: When a negligent or reckless driver causes a fatal crash, the family can pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.
- Motorcycle accidents: When a driver fails to yield, drives distracted, or follows too closely, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist, the family can hold them accountable through a wrongful death case.
- Truck accidents: When a commercial truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, such as driving while fatigued, speeding, or poor maintenance, leads to a fatal collision, the family can take legal action to recover damages.
- Pedestrian accidents: When a careless driver strikes and kills a pedestrian crossing the street or walking along the road, their loved ones can seek justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Bicycle accidents: When a motorist fails to share the road or disregards traffic laws, causing a fatal crash involving a cyclist, the victim’s family may qualify to pursue compensation.
The Goldwater Law Firm ensures you’re supported by attorneys who know how to take on powerful insurance companies and corporations. We’ll stand by your side, every step of the way.
To protect your family’s future, the next step is understanding the compensation you may qualify to pursue. Our law firm partners focus on documenting every loss, economic and non-economic, so insurers and defendants can’t ignore the full impact of your loved one’s passing.
Lost a Loved One Due to Negligence? Find Out Your Legal Options.
Damages Our Law Firm Partners Can Help You Fight For
After a sudden loss, it’s easy for insurers to undervalue what your family is going through. Our law firm partners take a comprehensive look at your financial and emotional losses, both immediate and long-term, to pursue the full compensation you may qualify for. They document tangible costs and the irreplaceable impact on your family’s life, then build a clear, evidence-backed demand for compensation. When appropriate, they also evaluate survival action damages tied to what your loved one endured before passing. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could recover some or all of the following:
- Funeral and burial costs so your family isn’t left paying out of pocket to lay your loved one to rest
- Loss of financial support based on your loved one’s expected earnings and benefits
- Loss of household services such as childcare, transportation, and home maintenance
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and care reflects the unique role your loved one held in your family
If you’re ready to discuss the specifics of your case, please call us for a free consultation today.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California. This deadline is set by state law and is strictly enforced by the courts. Once that window closes, your family may lose the right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.
When a government entity is responsible, such as in a case involving a city vehicle or public hospital, you must first file an administrative claim, usually within six months of the death. Only after that claim is denied can your lawsuit move forward.
Certain exceptions may extend these deadlines, such as cases involving minors. However, these are rare and complex. The best way to protect your family’s rights is to speak with our team as soon as possible. We can connect you with a California wrongful death attorney who will ensure your case is filed correctly and on time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When you contact The Goldwater Law Firm, you’ll never have to worry about upfront costs. Our law firm partners work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for your family. This approach ensures that anyone, regardless of financial situation, has access to quality legal representation after a tragic loss.
The timeline can vary widely. Some cases resolve in a few months through settlement, while others, especially those involving disputed liability or large corporations, may take a year or more to conclude. Your attorney will keep you informed at every step, explaining what to expect and guiding your family through each stage of the legal process. While no amount of money can undo your loss, a successful outcome can bring accountability, closure, and financial stability for the future.
California law allows surviving family members, such as a spouse, children, or grandchildren, to file a wrongful death lawsuit. One person files a lawsuit and adds all other heirs as plaintiffs. If the case is successful, the proceeds are divided among the heirs.
A lawyer can help you navigate this process.
A wrongful death lawsuit focuses on the losses suffered by surviving family members, such as funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship. A survival action, on the other hand, is brought by the estate of the deceased to recover damages that the person could have pursued if they had survived, such as medical expenses. Many families pursue both types of claims together, depending on the facts of the case.
Contact The Goldwater Law Firm Today
No family should have to navigate a wrongful death lawsuit alone. The emotional toll, financial pressure, and uncertainty about what comes next can feel unbearable, but you don’t have to face it without help. For over 20 years, The Goldwater Law Firm has stood by families like yours, connecting them with experienced wrongful death attorneys who fight for justice and accountability.
Our law firm partners understand the depth of your loss and will handle every legal detail with compassion and care. Whether your loved one’s death resulted from a car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bicycle accident, we’ll help you find the right attorney to guide you through the process and pursue the compensation your family may qualify for.
You’ve suffered enough. Let us take on the legal burden while you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory. Call The Goldwater Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here for you, ready to help you take the first step toward justice.