Wrongful Death Attorney in Glendale

What Is a Wrongful Death in California?

Wrongful death in California involves the loss of life caused by negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts by another party. Common causes for wrongful death claims in Glendale include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and premises liability incidents, as well as fatal criminal actions and slip and fall injuries. 

The consequences of these tragic incidents go beyond grief, bringing financial uncertainty—especially for Glendale families who lose a primary earner, caregiver, or provider. The California Code of Civil Procedure allows certain survivors to bring legal claims for losses suffered due to wrongful death. With the help of a wrongful death lawyer in Glendale, you can pursue accountability and financial support for your unique situation.

In Glendale, wrongful death and fatal accident cases may involve factors unique to the city, such as traffic hazards near the Ventura Freeway or high-volume intersections like Brand Boulevard. Proximity to major hospitals, like Glendale Adventist Medical Center and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, can influence the response time, care, and documentation following fatal incidents. At Hartounian, APLC, our local focus enables us to collect evidence efficiently, navigate Los Angeles County legal processes, and address challenges specific to the Glendale area. Whether your loss was the result of a motor vehicle collision, workplace fatality, or property hazard, our attorneys tailor a legal strategy to the case facts and Glendale’s legal environment.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

The following individuals or their representatives may file a wrongful death claim in California:

• Surviving spouses or registered domestic partners.
• Children of the deceased.
• Grandchildren of the deceased when the children are also deceased.
• Any minor children, including stepchildren, who relied on the deceased for financial support.
• Individuals entitled to inherit under California’s intestacy laws, when no direct relatives exist.

Beyond immediate family, other dependents or close relatives may sometimes qualify to file if they can show significant reliance on the decedent’s support, following a careful review of the facts. Glendale’s diverse family arrangements, including multigenerational and non-traditional households, often raise unique eligibility questions. Our fatal accident attorneys in Glendale review legal status, guardianship, and household support structures to ensure every qualifying claimant is included. Early legal assessment is vital, particularly where recent changes in marital or parental arrangements may affect the right to recover damages.

Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death Claim in CA

Generally, California law provides two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This timeline, found in California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, is strictly enforced. Failing to act promptly can forfeit your right to pursue compensation, making early consultation with an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Glendale essential.

Some fatal accident and wrongful death cases involve exceptions. Deaths from medical malpractice or those involving city agencies (for instance, traffic accidents with municipal vehicles) often have alternate deadlines or require prior notice to government entities—sometimes as little as six months from the event.

Given the complex laws and varying deadlines, contacting a fatal accident attorney in Glendale ensures your legal filings are prompt and complete. Our attorneys at Hartounian, APLC can help explain the relevant rules and pursue your case within all statutory limits.

Glendale fatal accident and wrongful death cases involving public spaces, city vehicles, or other government property will often trigger special legal requirements. Our team tracks county and city rules—ensuring all notices and documents are filed on time with the Glendale Courthouse and any relevant agencies. This level of local awareness minimizes risks that could lead to claim denial or delay.

Compensation Available in Wrongful Death Claims

Compensation for wrongful death in Glendale encompasses both economic and non-economic damages, allowing your family to recover what has been lost in many forms after a tragedy. Working with a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney in Glendale can help maximize your recovery across all eligible losses.

Economic damages, proven by records and bills, may include the following:

• Funeral and burial expenses: Out-of-pocket costs for services, burial, or cremation of the deceased.
• Loss of income: The present and future lost earnings or benefits the decedent would likely have provided.
• Medical expenses prior to death: Hospital and medical costs directly resulting from the fatal injury or illness.
• Loss of potential inheritance: Expected savings or gifts that heirs would have received but for the death.

Non-economic damages represent more personal losses suffered by survivors, such as:

• Loss of companionship and support: The emotional suffering and lack of relationship, care, comfort, or protection following the loss.
• Loss of consortium: Exclusive to spouses or partners, covering lost affection, intimacy, and household partnership.
• Loss of parental guidance: Damages available to children for lost care, education, and emotional nurturing.
• Mental and emotional distress: The psychological and emotional pain endured by survivors.

Families in Glendale pursuing compensation often face region-specific challenges, such as the costs of local funeral services or seeking damages relative to Glendale’s high cost of living. At Hartounian, APLC, our fatal accident lawyers in Glendale perform thorough evaluations and partner with local professionals to accurately measure the total value of your claim, tailoring every detail to reflect your true losses.

What to Expect in Glendale, CA Courts

When wrongful death and fatal accident lawsuits go to trial in Glendale, your case will typically proceed before the Los Angeles Superior Court, often at the Glendale Courthouse. This court regularly handles wrongful death litigation, and our wrongful death attorneys in Glendale are experienced in navigating the court’s procedures and unique requirements. We handle every detail, from preparing and submitting legal filings to managing logistics for mandatory court appearances. Throughout, we ensure that you understand the schedule, expectations, and procedures at every phase of the process.

Certain claims—especially those involving public spaces or entities—require coordination with local authorities, such as the Glendale Police Department, or with the city’s legal counsel. Our fatal accident attorneys in Glendale routinely manage communication with these parties, facilitating prompt evidence collection and thorough documentation. By leveraging in-depth knowledge of Glendale’s civil court system and local agencies, Hartounian, APLC helps families avoid pitfalls and obtain the resolution they deserve.