Losing a loved one is one of the most devastating experiences a family can endure. When that loss is caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct, the grief is compounded by anger and uncertainty. At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, our dedicated wrongful death lawyers in LA are committed to helping families pursue justice and financial security during this difficult time.
We understand that no amount of compensation can replace your loved one, but a wrongful death claim can help ease the financial burdens caused by funeral costs, medical bills, and the loss of future income. More importantly, it can hold the responsible party accountable.
A wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is cut short due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of another individual, business, or entity. In California, wrongful death laws are designed to provide surviving family members with a means to recover damages from those at fault.
Examples of situations that may give rise to wrongful death claims include:
Not everyone has the legal right to bring a wrongful death claim. Under California law, the following parties are generally eligible to file:
If no immediate family is available, other heirs under California’s intestate succession laws may have the right to file.
Our team at Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP helps families understand who qualifies to bring the claim and ensures that all legal requirements are met.
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While money can never make up for the loss of a loved one, financial compensation can help secure stability for surviving family members. Damages available in a California wrongful death lawsuit may include:
Every case is unique, and our Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers will carefully evaluate the full extent of damages to pursue maximum recovery for your family.
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The legal process for pursuing a wrongful death claim in California typically involves:
Throughout this process, the burden of proof is on you, the plaintiff, to demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence or misconduct was “more than likely” the cause of the decedent’s death. Of course, if you allow us to work on your case from the start, you won’t have to worry about preparing a case on your own.
Bringing a wrongful death claim can hold responsible parties accountable for the tragic loss of a loved one—but it is sure to lead to a legal fight. When you want a sense of justice and closure but not frustrations and headaches, leave everything up to the compassionate Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys of Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP. We have successfully handled wrongful death cases involving many different accidents and forms of negligence—from car crashes to workplace accidents to deadly police misconduct. Trust our experience and knowledge to guide you through this challenging time, just as we have for so many others.
At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, we help victims across the Los Angeles area. Visit us at 222 N Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 2100, El Segundo, CA 90245, United States
Bruce A. Broillet is a nationally recognized California trial lawyer and partner, inducted into both the CAALA Hall of Fame and the Lawdragon Hall of Fame, and a member of the elite Inner Circle of Advocates. He has achieved numerous seven- and eight-figure results, including a $3.3 billion settlement against Big Tobacco, the landmark$55 million Erin Andrews verdict, and the largest legal malpractice verdict in California history. Widely regarded as one of the state’s most accomplished plaintiff lawyers, Bruce is a former Consumer Attorney of the Year and a perennial honoree of Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If the wrongful death was caused by medical malpractice, you may have three years from the date of the malpractice or one year from the discovery of the injury.
No. All eligible family members must be part of a single wrongful death claim. Our attorneys help coordinate family claims to avoid conflicts and maximize compensation.
A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the surviving family. A survival action, on the other hand, is brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover damages the victim could have claimed had they survived, such as medical expenses and lost wages between injury and death.
Many wrongful death claims are resolved through settlement negotiations. However, if the responsible party refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight aggressively for your rights.
The value of a case depends on many factors, including the age of the deceased, their income, medical expenses, and the circumstances of the death. Our attorneys will provide a thorough evaluation to estimate potential compensation.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in Los Angeles.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
All of our attorneys are proud to be active members of the Los Angeles County Bar Association or LACBA.
Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
Partners Geoff Wells and Ivan Puchalt were both named among the 2025 Consumer Attorney Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
Several of our partners are members in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national invite-only association consisting of the most experienced trial lawyers.
Our team includes several Fellows and Associates with the invite-only International Society of Barristers in recognition of their trial advocacy.
Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
Bruce A. Broillet and Christine D. Spagnoli are Fellows with the invite-only International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a group of elite trial lawyers from over 30 countries.
Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
Founding partners Browne Greene and Bruce A. Broillet are both members of the exclusive invite-only Inner Circle of Advocates, as two of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in America.
Our firm has more attorneys on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists than any other law firm in Southern California, with 15 members selected.
This page was written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Greene Broillet & Wheeler LLP.
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