Orange County Wrongful Death Attorney

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable for Wrongful Death

Losing a family member to someone else’s negligence is devastating. No amount of money can replace the person you’ve lost, but a wrongful death claim serves two critical purposes: it holds the responsible party accountable, and it provides financial security for the family left behind. At Black Crown Law APC, we approach wrongful death cases with both compassion and aggression. We understand you are grieving, and we handle every aspect of the legal process so you can focus on your family. At the same time, we pursue maximum compensation with the same intensity we bring to every case — because the stakes for your family’s future could not be higher.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the following individuals have the right to file a wrongful death claim:

• The surviving spouse or domestic partner
• Surviving children
• If there is no surviving spouse or children, anyone who would be entitled to the decedent’s property under California intestate succession laws — such as parents, siblings, or other dependents

Additionally, individuals who were financially dependent on the decedent may have standing to file a claim. Determining who has the right to bring a wrongful death action can be legally complex, and we guide families through this process carefully.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims arise when a person dies due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Common causes include:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers
• Commercial trucking accidents involving FMCSA violations
• Medical malpractice and surgical errors
• Defective products and equipment failures
• Workplace accidents and construction site negligence
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Premises liability — unsafe property conditions leading to fatal falls or injuries
• Drunk driving fatalities

Regardless of the cause, the legal standard requires proving that the defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing the death.

Damages Available in a Wrongful Death Case

California wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses: Economic damages include funeral and burial expenses, loss of the decedent’s expected income and financial support, loss of benefits including health insurance and pension, and the value of household services the decedent provided. Non-economic damages include loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support. These damages also cover loss of enjoyment of life and the training and guidance the decedent would have provided to children. In cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, a separate survivor action may allow recovery of punitive damages as well.

Why Black Crown Law APC for Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death cases involve high financial stakes and require meticulous calculation of lifetime economic losses. Christopher M. Naghibi, Esq.’s MBA and executive-level financial background allows us to build detailed economic models that capture the full financial impact of your loss — from projected income to retirement benefits to the economic value of household contributions. We work with life care planners, forensic economists, and medical experts to build cases that insurance companies and juries find compelling. We are prepared to take these cases to trial when the insurance company’s offer does not reflect the true value of your loss. We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we secure compensation for your family.

Free Wrongful Death Consultation

If your family has lost a loved one due to negligence in Orange County or anywhere in Southern California, please contact Black Crown Law APC for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. California’s statute of limitations for wrongful death is generally two years from the date of death. Taking action early preserves critical evidence and protects your family’s rights.

---

Other Practice Areas