Wrongful Death

Downey Wrongful Death Lawyer

DEVOTED

We Meet You Where You Are. Hospital and Home Visits Available.

RESULTS

Our Results Speak for Ourselves. Over $400 Million Recovered.

EXPERIENCE

60 Years of Combined Experience Serving Injured Individuals.

PRAISED

We Put Clients First. Over 900 Five-Star Customer Reviews.

ACCESSIBLE

We Meet You Where You Are. 7 Office Locations and Home Visits Available

Wrongful Death Attorney in Downey, CA

When somebody dies tragically due to another party’s or person’s negligence, their surviving family members can sue for damages. If you have a loved one who passes away due to the negligent, reckless, or wrongful conduct of another, you deserve justice. The Downey wrongful death attorneys at Setareh Law understand this. We are here to help you tackle your wrongful death case with compassion and professionalism. Our Downey personal injury lawyers also speak Spanish, so we can communicate effectively with our clients. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis.

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Wrongful death lawsuits are civil lawsuits where the survivors of the deceased, or a personal representative of the estate, can sue the other party in order to get damages for their loss. In California, there’s a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death cases. There are certain things that you must prove in order to have grounds for a wrongful death case, including: you’re the spouse, child, or another decedent; the defendant owed the decedent a duty of care; the defendant acted wrongfully or negligently, which breached this duty of care; the wrongful or negligent conduct was the cause of the death; and you suffered measurable damages due to your loved one’s death.

Case Result

$2,000,000 – Wrongful Death
See All Case Results

What Are Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

Common causes of wrongful death cases can include pedestrian and bicycle accidents, car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, recreational and sports accidents, slips, falls, and trips, and accidents that involve defective or hazardous products. When accidents like these occur and claim the life of someone you love, Setareh Law’s wrongful death attorneys will provide you with the trusted legal guidance you deserve. For more information see our resource on steps to take after a family member has passed.

A Downey Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help Determine the Damages Owed to You

1. Medical Expenses

Some victims of wrongful death have multiple medical expenses before they pass away, including surgeries and procedures, emergency room visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and doctors’ appointments.

2. Emotional and Physical Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering can be difficult to calculate since there is not a set monetary amount assigned to it. Working with a lawyer can help you figure out how much pain and suffering damages you may be entitled to.

3. Lost Wages

Many families rely on the wages of one individual for a significant portion of their income. You’re also able to sue for lost wages or wage-earning potential during a wrongful death case.

4. Funeral and Burial Expenses

Working with a lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve so you can bury your loved one without having to worry about the cost.

Who Can Claim Wrongful Death on Another Person’s Behalf?

According to the California Code of Civil Conduct, the only people who can file a wrongful death claim include a surviving spouse, child, or domestic partner. If there’s no surviving individual, then it passes on to the decedent’s surviving parents, then to the surviving grandparents, and so forth.

Contact Setareh Law in Downey to Speak with a Wrongful Death Attorney

At Setareh Law, our wrongful death lawyers know there’s no amount of money that will make up for the loss of your loved one. We can, however, offer you a sense of justice by helping you receive the compensation you and your family deserve. Call us at (310) 659-1826 or fill out our online form to request your free consultation today. We also handle: Dog Bite Injury | Slip and Fall Injury | Wrongful Death | Personal Injury

Our Personal Injury Attorneys

Other Practice Areas

Get My Free Case Review

"*" indicates required fields

I agree to receive SMS messages
setareh law overview

Why Choose Setareh Law

The experienced team of Downey Wrongful Death attorneys at Setareh Law is standing by, ready to provide you with zealous legal representation.

Fast Results

Our team moves quickly because we know delays cost you. From the moment you reach out, we begin building your case, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies so you can focus on recovering.

No Fees

At Setareh Law, you pay nothing unless we win. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, which means our success is tied directly to yours. You get aggressive legal representation without any upfront financial risk.

Free Consultation

We offer a completely free, no-obligation consultation so you can understand your legal options before making any decisions. There’s no pressure and no cost — just honest answers from an experienced California personal injury attorney.

Confidentiality

Everything you share with us stays between you and your legal team. Attorney-client privilege protects every detail of your case, giving you the freedom to speak openly and honestly so we can fight effectively on your behalf.

Frequently
Asked Questions

If you, a family member or a friend has suffered a personal injury, contact us today at 310-659-1826 for a free case evaluation. Our experienced team can evaluate the facts of your case, discuss the viable avenues for compensation recovery, and serve as your counsel throughout the personal injury claims process.

Who is entitled to file a wrongful death claim in California?

Under California law, a wrongful death claim may be filed by the deceased person's surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or other dependents who were financially reliant on the decedent. In some cases, parents or siblings may also have standing to file.

What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?

A wrongful death claim is filed by surviving family members for their own losses, such as loss of financial support and companionship. A survival action, on the other hand, is filed on behalf of the deceased person's estate and seeks damages the decedent could have recovered had they survived, such as medical expenses and pre-death pain and suffering.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?

You generally have two years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, the timeline may be significantly shorter. Given the emotional difficulty of these situations, consulting an attorney early helps ensure you do not miss critical deadlines.

What types of situations can give rise to a wrongful death claim?

Wrongful death claims can arise from car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, construction site accidents, dog attacks, and any other situation where someone's negligence caused a fatal injury.

What damages can surviving family members recover?

Damages in a wrongful death case may include loss of financial support, loss of household services, funeral and burial expenses, loss of love, companionship, and guidance, and in survival actions, the decedent's medical costs and pain and suffering prior to death.

Can I file a wrongful death claim if the at-fault party is also facing criminal charges?

Yes. Civil and criminal cases are entirely separate. A wrongful death lawsuit can proceed regardless of whether a criminal case is pending or how it is resolved. The standards of proof are also different, meaning a civil case can succeed even if a criminal case does not.

What if the deceased person was partially at fault?

California's comparative fault rule applies to wrongful death cases. The amount of recoverable damages may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the deceased, but a claim can still be pursued.

How can an attorney help with a wrongful death case?

An attorney can investigate the cause of death, identify all liable parties, calculate the full scope of your family's financial and emotional losses, and advocate for fair compensation. These cases are deeply personal, and having strong legal support allows families to focus on healing while their rights are protected.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

How We Handle Your Car Accident Claim

Step 1: Free Consultation

We’ll review your accident details, explain your legal rights, and answer all your questions. You have no obligation to hire us.

Step 2: Investigation & Evidence Collection

Our legal team collects police reports, medical records, witness statements, and evidence to build your strongest case.

Step 3: Negotiation with Insurance

We handle all insurance communication, presenting compelling evidence and pushing back against lowball offers to secure full compensation.

Step 4: Filing Your Claim/Lawsuit

If negotiations fail, we file a formal lawsuit to protect your rights while handling all legal filings and keeping you informed.

Step 5: Settlement or Trial

Many cases settle before trial, but we’re fully prepared to present your case to a jury if needed to secure fair compensation.

Step 6: Recovery of Compensation

Once we reach a settlement or win at trial, you receive your compensation and move forward with your recovery.

Contact
us today

Home Visits are Available. Call for More Details

If you, a family member or a friend has suffered a personal injury as a result of an accident, negligence, or a defective drug, contact us today at 310-659-1826 for a free case evaluation. Our experienced team can evaluate the facts of your case, discuss the viable avenues for compensation recovery, and serve as your counsel throughout the personal injury claims process.

Wrongful Death Results

Our Track Record Speaks For Itself

Truck Accident

Truck Accident

$725,000

Conflicting accounts of a stop sign dispute put liability at the center of this commercial truck accident. We cut through the disagreement and secured $725,000 for a client who required back surgery.

Truck Accident

Truck Accident

$900,000

What appeared to be a low-impact collision with a commercial truck quickly became a high-stakes legal battle over liability and the severity of our client’s injuries. We fought through every challenge and secured a $9,000,000 result for our client, who required back surgery.

Truck Accident

Truck Accident

$1,000,000

The opposing vehicle was a commercial truck, but our client’s injuries did not require surgery. We recovered $1,000,000 through persistent advocacy and a thorough presentation of the evidence.

Client Testimonials

Recent Blog Posts

Can You File a Claim If a Pothole Caused You to Lose Control and Crash?

Hitting an unexpected pothole at speed can jerk your steering wheel out of your hands, blow a tire, or send...

How Sideswipe Accidents Are Investigated for Fault in California

A sideswipe collision can happen in the blink of an eye. One moment you are driving safely in your lane,...

How Car Accidents Involving Paroled or Probationed Drivers Are Handled in California

Getting hit by another driver is stressful enough without learning that the person behind the wheel was on parole or...