Losing someone you love because of another person's carelessness is one of the worst things a family can go through. If you or someone close to you is dealing with a death or a life-changing injury caused by someone else, you deserve a lawyer who will fight for you and treat you like a person, not a file number.

 

Hakakian Law Group is a boutique personal injury firm in West Hollywood founded by Shawn S. Hakakian, Esq. Shawn personally handles every wrongful death and catastrophic injury case the firm takes on. Families across Los Angeles and all of California trust Hakakian Law because the firm is small enough to care and experienced enough to win.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case?

A wrongful death case happens when someone dies because of another person's or company's carelessness or wrongful act. It could be a reckless driver, a dangerous property, a defective product, or a workplace accident. The law allows the family of the person who died to file a lawsuit and seek money for what they lost.

 

The goal of a wrongful death claim is to help surviving family members recover financially. No amount of money replaces the person you lost. But the law gives families a way to hold the responsible party accountable and cover the bills and lost income left behind.

 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California

California law limits who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the following people can file:

• Surviving spouse or domestic partner

• Surviving children

• Anyone who would inherit property from the deceased under California's intestate succession laws (for example, parents or siblings if there is no spouse or children)

If you are not sure whether you qualify, Hakakian Law Group offers a free consultation to help you understand your rights. Call (310) 759-9663 any time, 24/7.

 

What Compensation Can Families Recover?

Families can seek two types of compensation in a California wrongful death case.

Economic losses are the financial costs tied to the death. These include medical bills the person had before they passed, funeral and burial costs, and the lost income and financial support the family would have received.

Non-economic losses cover things you cannot put a price tag on, like the loss of companionship, love, comfort, and moral support. One important thing to know: California does not allow families to recover money for their own grief or emotional distress in a wrongful death claim. The non-economic damages focus on the relationship you lost, not the pain of losing it.

How Long Do You Have to File? (Statute of Limitations)

In California, you have 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline comes from California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.

Two years may sound like a long time, but building a strong case takes months of investigation, gathering evidence, and consulting experts. If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to file. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your claim.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury Case?

A catastrophic injury is a permanent, life-changing injury that prevents someone from living the way they did before the accident. These injuries are different from a broken bone or a sprained back that heals over time. Catastrophic injuries require long-term or lifetime medical care, and they often stop the injured person from ever returning to work.

The costs in these cases are enormous. Families are suddenly dealing with hospital stays, surgeries, home modifications, and around-the-clock care that can stretch on for decades. A catastrophic injury attorney fights to make sure the compensation covers all of those future needs, not just today's bills.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries Handled

Hakakian Law Group handles the most serious injury cases in Los Angeles and throughout California, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), from severe concussions to permanent cognitive damage

• Spinal cord injuries that cause paraplegia or quadriplegia

• Severe burns requiring skin grafts and long-term treatment

• Amputations and loss of limbs

• Loss of vision or hearing

These cases almost always require expert witnesses. Life care planners and economists calculate how much money the injured person will need for the rest of their life. That evidence is critical to getting a fair result.

What Compensation Is Available for Catastrophic Injuries?

Because catastrophic injuries affect every part of a person's life, the compensation can cover a wide range of losses:

• Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescriptions

• Lifetime care costs, such as in-home nurses, assistive devices, and home modifications

• Lost wages and lost earning capacity if you can no longer work

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of enjoyment of life

Catastrophic injury settlements and verdicts in California can reach into the millions, depending on the severity of the injury and the long-term care required. Hakakian Law Group works with medical and financial experts to build a complete picture of what you will need going forward.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury in Los Angeles

Wrongful death and catastrophic injuries happen in many ways, but certain types of accidents lead to the most serious cases in Los Angeles:

• Car accidents are the most common cause of wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims in California

• Truck accidents involving commercial vehicles often result in severe or fatal injuries because of the size and weight of the trucks

• Motorcycle accidents leave riders with little protection, leading to traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and amputations

• Workplace accidents, especially on construction sites, cause falls, equipment injuries, and electrocutions

• Premises liability cases involve dangerous property conditions, like broken stairs, poor lighting, or inadequate security

• Rideshare accidents involving app-based services have become increasingly common in LA

No matter what caused the accident, Hakakian Law Group investigates every detail to identify who is responsible and hold them accountable.

Why Choose Hakakian Law for Your Case?

Personalized Attention, Not a Case Number

Hakakian Law Group is a boutique firm. That means the firm takes fewer cases and gives each one more time and attention. When you hire Hakakian Law, you work directly with Shawn S. Hakakian, the attorney who founded the firm.

At larger, high-volume firms, your case might get passed from one associate to another. You may never speak to the lead attorney. At Hakakian Law, Shawn knows your name, your story, and your family. Clients are treated like family because that is how Shawn runs the firm.

Aggressive Litigation When It Counts

Being a small firm does not mean being a soft firm. Hakakian Law negotiates aggressively with insurance companies and is fully prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement is not offered.

Insurance companies know which attorneys are willing to go to court and which ones will accept a low offer. Shawn has a track record of pushing cases as far as they need to go to get the best possible result for his clients.

No Upfront Costs, Free Consultation

You pay nothing out of pocket to hire Hakakian Law Group. The firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless the firm recovers money for you.

Your first call is free, and consultations are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (310) 759-9663 to speak with someone who will listen and give you honest answers about your case.

Serving Los Angeles and All of California

Hakakian Law Group is based in West Hollywood at 8235 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste 204. The firm serves clients throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay Area, and everywhere in California.

If you need a wrongful death attorney or catastrophic injury lawyer near you in Los Angeles or anywhere in the state, Hakakian Law is ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

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, like lost income, lost companionship, and funeral costs. A survival action is a separate claim filed on behalf of the deceased person's estate for the pain and suffering the person experienced before they died.

Both claims can be filed at the same time. Hakakian Law Group can help you determine which claims apply to your situation and pursue them together to get the full compensation your family deserves.

Can I file a wrongful death claim if the accident also caused catastrophic injuries to another family member?

Yes. If a single accident killed one family member and left another with a catastrophic injury, both claims can be pursued at the same time. Each claim has its own set of damages and its own legal requirements.

Having one attorney handle both claims makes the process simpler and often leads to a stronger overall case. Hakakian Law Group has experience managing these complex, multi-claim situations.

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death or catastrophic injury attorney?

It costs nothing upfront to hire Hakakian Law Group. The firm works on contingency, so you only pay a fee if the firm wins money for you. There is no risk to you.

Call (310) 759-9663 for a free consultation to talk about your case and learn what your options are.

Contact Hakakian Law, Free Consultation

If you lost a loved one or suffered a life-changing injury because of someone else's carelessness, Hakakian Law Group is here for you. Shawn S. Hakakian and his team respond quickly, listen carefully, and fight hard for every client.

Call (310) 759-9663 right now for a free, confidential consultation. You can also reach the firm through the contact form on the Hakakian Law website. The team is available 24/7, and you will never be charged unless the firm recovers money for you.

You do not have to go through this alone.