How to Choose a Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Los Angeles

A sudden death or permanent injury can make even a simple decision feel difficult. You may feel exhausted, scared, or unsure what to ask. Those reactions are normal, and you do not need to understand the law before speaking with an attorney.

This guide gives you a clear way to compare attorneys without asking you to make a rushed choice. Each section explains what to look for and what a strong answer should sound like in plain language.

A free consultation can help you learn whether you may have a case and what the next steps could involve. Hakakian Law Group charges no upfront attorney fee and receives a fee only when the firm recovers money for you. You can ask questions before deciding whether to move forward.

Wrongful death claim or survival action — what's the difference?

A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for losses suffered by certain surviving family members. For example, after a parent dies, eligible relatives may seek compensation for lost financial support, care, guidance, and companionship.

A survival action continues a claim the person could have brought if they had lived. For example, if your loved one suffered serious injuries before passing away, the estate may seek compensation tied to that period, including certain medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering when California law allows it.

Some families may have both claims, but different people may have the right to bring each one. A strong wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles should explain who can file, which losses each claim covers, and how the claims fit together. You should receive that explanation in plain language before you sign anything.

What to look for in an attorney

Use these six criteria to compare attorneys before you sign an agreement.

1. Contingency fees and upfront costs

A clear fee agreement explains what you pay and whether you owe anything if the attorney does not recover money.

  2. Trial experience

A strong attorney prepares cases for court instead of relying only on quick settlements.

  3. Wrongful death and survival action experience

The attorney should understand both claims and explain which one may apply to your family.

  4. Lifetime care cost planning

A catastrophic injury attorney should calculate future medical care, support, equipment, and lost income.

  5.Experience with vulnerable families

The attorney should know how to value claims involving children or a person who provided the family’s main income.

  6. Communication and responsiveness

The attorney should explain who handles your case, how often you receive updates, and how quickly the firm answers questions.

Comparing what matters, criterion by criterion

Use these six criteria to compare attorneys during a free consultation. Clear, specific answers usually tell you more than broad promises.

Contingency fee and no upfront cost. A contingency fee lets you hire an attorney without paying anything at the start, though you should still understand the percentage charged and how case expenses work. A strong answer explains every fee in writing before you sign. Hakakian Law  offers free consultations and works on contingency, so clients pay no upfront attorney fee and owe a fee only if the firm recovers money.

Trial experience versus a settle-only practice. Insurance companies may offer less when they believe an attorney wants to avoid court, and trial preparation can support negotiations even when a case settles. A strong answer includes relevant cases prepared for trial and names who would present your case in court, not a general claim that the firm litigates.

Wrongful death and survival action experience. A wrongful death claim addresses losses suffered by surviving family members, while a survival action addresses certain losses the person suffered before death, and one case may involve both. A strong answer explains which claims may apply, who may bring them, and what evidence each requires, backed by direct experience handling both types rather than general personal injury experience alone.

Lifetime care cost modeling. A brain injury, spinal cord injury, or permanent disability may require decades of medical care and daily support, and a settlement based only on current bills may leave major future needs unpaid. A strong answer comes from an attorney who works with medical and financial specialists to estimate future treatment, equipment, home care, and lost income. Hakakian Law has handled catastrophic injury cases involving lifetime care costs and can explain how the firm documents those needs.

Cases involving children or a sole income earner. A child's injury may affect education, development, and care needs for years, and the loss or disability of a main wage earner can change a family's long-term financial needs. A strong answer includes detailed questions about the family's daily life and future needs, plus an explanation of any special court steps or settlement protections that apply when a child receives compensation.

Communication and responsiveness. Families need timely updates because medical, insurance, and court decisions can be difficult to follow, and poor communication can leave you unsure about deadlines or major choices. A strong answer names your main contact, explains how often you will receive updates, and gives a reasonable response time. Shawn Hakakian provides personal, hands-on involvement so clients can understand who is handling important decisions.

Questions worth asking before you sign anything

You can ask these questions during a free consultation and write down each answer.

1. “Will I pay anything upfront, and could I owe case costs if you do not recover money for me?”
2. “Have you taken wrongful death or catastrophic injury cases to trial, and will you prepare my case for trial if needed?”
3. “Have you handled both wrongful death claims and survival actions, and which claim may apply to my family?”
4. “How will you calculate future medical care, lost income, home support, and other lifetime needs?”
5. “Have you handled cases involving an injured child or a family that lost its main income earner?”
6. “Who will work on my case each day, and how involved will the lead attorney be?”
7. “How often will I receive updates, and how quickly do you usually return calls or messages?”

Pay attention to how the attorney responds. A strong attorney should answer in plain language, explain any uncertainty, and avoid pressuring you to sign immediately. A firm’s willingness to address each question clearly during a free consultation gives you useful information about how it may communicate throughout the case.

Why families choose Hakakian Law for these cases

Hakakian Law Group gives families the hands-on attorney involvement described above. Shawn Hakakian takes a personal role in each case, stays involved as the claim develops, and helps clients understand their choices in plain language. Families can ask questions directly instead of wondering who handles major decisions.

The firm also handles catastrophic injury cases that require careful estimates of future care costs. A brain injury, spinal cord injury, or permanent disability may require medical treatment, home support, equipment, and lost income for decades. Hakakian Law Group builds those long-term needs into the claim rather than focusing only on current bills.

Hakakian Law Group combines personal attention with firm representation against insurers and other responsible parties. The firm keeps clients informed while gathering evidence, reviewing the full effect of the loss, and preparing the case for the appropriate next step. That approach supports families who need clear communication without placing more work on them during an already difficult time.

Talk to someone today, at no cost

You can contact Hakakian Law Group for a free consultation to discuss what happened and learn what options may be available. The conversation carries no obligation, and you pay no attorney fee unless the firm wins your case.

You do not need to compare attorneys or make legal decisions without help. Reaching out costs nothing, and a conversation can give you clear answers about what to do next.

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.