Losing a family member because someone else was careless is one of the worst things a person can go through. If you are searching for a wrongful death lawyer near me or a catastrophic injury attorney in California, you deserve clear answers about your rights, not confusing legal language. Hakakian Law Group, PC based in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, helps families and injury victims throughout California fight for the compensation they are owed.

 

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit filed when someone dies because of another person's negligence or wrongdoing. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, surviving family members can seek money damages when a loved one's death was preventable. In simple terms, if someone else caused the death, the law says the responsible party should pay for the harm done to the family left behind.

You do not need to prove the death was intentional. Carelessness, recklessness, or a failure to follow safety rules can all be enough to support a wrongful death claim in Los Angeles or anywhere in California.

 

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury permanently changes the way a person lives. These injuries often prevent someone from working, caring for themselves, or doing the things they used to enjoy. The financial and emotional costs can last a lifetime.

Common catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can affect memory, thinking, and personality

• Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)

• Amputation or loss of a limb

• Severe burn injuries that require multiple surgeries and cause permanent scarring

• Major organ damage from high-impact accidents

If you or someone you love suffered any of these injuries in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California, a catastrophic injury attorney can help you understand what your case may be worth.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the busiest cities in the country, and serious accidents happen every day. The most frequent causes of wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims in the area include:

• Car, truck, and rideshare accidents. High-speed collisions on LA freeways and surface streets cause a large share of fatal and life-changing injuries.

• Medical malpractice. Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and birth injuries can all lead to death or permanent harm.

• Premises liability. Property owners who fail to fix dangerous conditions, like broken stairs, poor lighting, or structural hazards, can be held responsible when someone is seriously hurt or killed.

• Workplace accidents. Construction sites, warehouses, and industrial jobs carry serious risks, especially when safety rules are ignored.

Each of these situations may give rise to a wrongful death lawsuit in California or a catastrophic injury claim, depending on the facts.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

California law limits who is allowed to bring a wrongful death claim. Not just anyone can file, even if they were close to the person who died.

The following people have the legal right to file:

• Surviving spouse or registered domestic partner

• Surviving children (biological or adopted)

• Grandchildren, but only if the deceased person's children have also passed away

• Dependent stepchildren who relied on the deceased for financial support

• Personal representative of the estate, acting on behalf of the heirs

If the deceased had no surviving spouse or children, parents or siblings may qualify. An experienced wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles can review your situation and confirm whether you have standing to file.

 

What Compensation Can Families and Victims Recover?

Wrongful Death Damages

Wrongful death compensation in California covers two main categories of loss. Economic damages pay for the financial harm the family suffers because their loved one is gone. Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional losses that are harder to put a dollar amount on.

Economic damages may include:

• Lost financial support the deceased would have provided over their lifetime

• Funeral and burial costs

• Medical bills the deceased incurred before death

Non-economic damages may include:

• Loss of love, companionship, and comfort

• Loss of care, affection, and moral support

• Loss of guidance and protection, especially for surviving children

There is no cap on non-economic damages in most wrongful death cases. The exception is medical malpractice, where the MICRA cap (AB 35) sets the limit at $650,000 in 2026, increasing by $50,000 per year until it reaches $1,000,000 in 2034. For wrongful death cases involving car accidents, premises liability, or other general negligence, no damage cap applies.

Catastrophic Injury Damages

Victims of catastrophic injuries in California can recover significant compensation because the costs of these injuries are so high. A single spinal cord injury, for example, can require millions of dollars in lifetime medical care.

Catastrophic injury damages may include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitation, in-home care, and medical devices

• Future care costs calculated by life-care planning experts

• Lost wages and lost earning capacity if the victim can no longer work at the same level

• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life

• Punitive damages, which may apply in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct

A catastrophic injury lawyer in Los Angeles will work with medical experts and economists to calculate the true long-term cost of your injuries.

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

California gives you a limited window of time to take legal action. Missing the deadline usually means losing your right to file, no matter how strong your case is.

General rule: You have 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The same 2-year rule applies to most catastrophic injury claims (measured from the date of injury).

Government entity claims: If a government agency or employee caused the death or injury (for example, a city bus accident or a dangerous public road), you must file a government tort claim within just 6 months. After the claim is denied, you then have 6 months to file a lawsuit.

Minor children: The statute of limitations may be paused ("tolled") for minors until they turn 18. Even so, it is always better to talk to a wrongful death attorney near me as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Why Hire a Los Angeles Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Attorney?

Insurance companies do not make it easy to collect fair compensation, especially in high-value cases. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers whose job is to reduce what they pay, and they begin working on their defense immediately after an accident.

Wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims require:

• Expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economists

• Life-care planning to calculate future medical and support needs over a lifetime

• Thorough investigation to gather evidence before it disappears

Handling a case like this without an attorney puts you at a serious disadvantage. The best wrongful death lawyers in Los Angeles have the resources to go up against large insurance companies and corporate legal teams when a fair settlement is not offered.

Why Hakakian Law Group?

Hakakian Law Group, PC is a wrongful death and catastrophic injury law firm based in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, serving clients throughout California. Attorney Shawn S. Hakakian founded the firm with a straightforward philosophy: treat every client like family, and fight hard for the result they deserve.

Personalized attention on every case. Hakakian Law Group, PC is not a high-volume firm that passes your file from one associate to the next. Shawn Hakakian is personally involved in every case the firm takes on, so you always know who is handling your claim.

Free consultations with no pressure. You can speak directly with a wrongful death attorney in West Hollywood at no cost. The consultation is designed to answer your questions and help you understand your options.

No fee unless you recover money. Hakakian Law Group, PC works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and the firm only gets paid if your case results in a financial recovery. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.

Compassionate, responsive communication. Families dealing with a sudden death or a catastrophic injury are often overwhelmed. Hakakian Law keeps clients informed at every step and makes sure you never feel like just another case number.

 

If you are looking for a wrongful death attorney near me or a top catastrophic injury attorney in California who will give your case real, personal attention, Hakakian Law is ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles?

At Hakakian Law Group, PC the initial consultation is completely free. The firm works on a contingency fee, which means you pay no money upfront and owe nothing unless Hakakian Law Group, PC wins your case. This makes it possible for families to get experienced legal help without worrying about legal bills during an already difficult time.

 

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

A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family for their own losses, like lost financial support and loss of companionship. A survival action recovers damages for what the deceased person suffered before they died, such as pain, suffering, and medical bills.

One important 2026 update: SB 447, which temporarily allowed non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) in survival actions, expired on December 31, 2025. Survival actions in California are now limited to economic damages only.

 

Can I still file if the accident happened outside Los Angeles?

Yes. Hakakian Law Group, PC serves clients throughout California, not just in Los Angeles or West Hollywood. Whether the accident happened in the Bay Area, the Inland Empire, the Central Valley, or anywhere else in the state, the firm can review your case.

What should I do first if I lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence?

Start by saving any documents, photos, or records related to the accident and your loved one's death. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Contact a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and make sure you do not miss any filing deadlines.

Free Consultation: Talk to a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If your family is dealing with the loss of a loved one or a life-changing injury caused by someone else's negligence, Hakakian Law is here to help. Attorney Shawn S. Hakakian offers free consultations to families and injury victims across Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and all of California.

You will pay no fees unless Hakakian Law Group, PC recovers money for you. Call today or fill out the contact form to speak with an experienced wrongful death and catastrophic injury attorney who will treat your case with the personal attention it deserves.

 

Disclaimer: This post is considered attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.