Wrongful Death Lawyer in Burbank, California

Losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence leaves families facing grief, financial uncertainty, and unanswered questions at the same time. What begins as an unimaginable loss can quickly become a complicated legal and insurance process, especially when multiple parties are involved or insurers begin working to limit what they pay.

Kantzabedian Law Firm represents families in Burbank who have lost a loved one as a result of another party's negligence or wrongful conduct. These cases are handled with care and discretion, with a focus on identifying all responsible parties, documenting the full impact of the loss, and pursuing complete compensation on behalf of surviving family members. We speak English, Spanish, and Armenian.

We represent families in wrongful death cases throughout Burbank, including Downtown Burbank, Magnolia Park, Rancho District, the Media District, Toluca Lake, and surrounding areas.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Burbank

Burbank is a major employment and entertainment hub in the San Fernando Valley, with heavy traffic along its commercial corridors, significant truck and freight activity near the airport and studio facilities, and a dense mix of residential and industrial areas. The most common causes of wrongful death in Burbank include:

Car accidents on San Fernando Boulevard, Olive Avenue, Victory Boulevard, and the 5 and 134 freeways
Truck and commercial vehicle accidents near Burbank Airport and studio freight corridors
Pedestrian accidents at busy intersections and along major commercial streets
Motorcycle accidents involving driver inattention or failure to yield
Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft drivers in high-demand entertainment and airport zones
Workplace accidents on studio lots, construction sites, and industrial facilities
Premises liability involving unsafe properties, parking structures, or negligent security

Each case is evaluated based on its specific facts and the circumstances surrounding the loss.

Who May Be Responsible

Responsibility is not always limited to one party. Depending on the facts, liability may involve:

A negligent driver
An employer, if the driver or worker was acting in the course of employment
A rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft
A property owner or manager
A contractor or equipment manufacturer, in workplace accident cases
A government entity, in cases involving dangerous road or property conditions
Multiple insurance carriers

California follows a comparative fault system, meaning responsibility may be shared among more than one party.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California

Under California law, the following individuals may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim:

Surviving spouse or domestic partner
Surviving children
Grandchildren, if the deceased's children have also passed
Other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased

California also permits a separate survival action, which may be filed alongside the wrongful death claim to recover damages the deceased could have pursued had they survived, including pain, suffering, and lost wages from the time of injury to death.

Potential Compensation

Depending on the circumstances, compensation in a wrongful death case may include:

Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided
Loss of household services and contributions
Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of love, companionship, guidance, and moral support
Medical expenses incurred prior to the death
Through a survival action: the deceased's pain, suffering, and lost earnings

Time limits apply. California law generally provides two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Claims involving government entities often have shorter deadlines.

How These Cases Are Handled

Wrongful death cases require thorough investigation and careful preparation from the beginning, including:

Reviewing accident reports and available evidence
Identifying all liable parties and applicable insurance policies
Analyzing medical records and the circumstances surrounding the death
Documenting the full economic and non-economic impact on surviving family members
Preparing for resistance from insurance carriers and defense counsel

Each case is handled with an understanding of how it will be evaluated and challenged by the other side.

Wrongful Death Lawyer in Burbank, California