Wrongful Death Cases in Van Nuys, 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 Van Nuys 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 Van Nuys, including Sherman Way, Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, Lake Balboa, and surrounding areas.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Van Nuys
Van Nuys is one of the most dangerous areas in Los Angeles for traffic fatalities, recording among the highest number of deadly crashes in the San Fernando Valley. Its busy surface streets, high-speed corridors, and dense population create serious risks for residents, pedestrians, and workers throughout the area. The most common causes of wrongful death include:
- Car accidents on Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, and Sherman Way
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents along major freight corridors
- Pedestrian accidents at busy intersections and crosswalks throughout the area
- Motorcycle accidents involving driver inattention or failure to yield
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft drivers
- Workplace accidents on construction sites and industrial facilities
- Premises liability involving unsafe properties 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.
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