Experienced wrongful death attorney for grieving families
Experienced wrongful death attorney for grieving families
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you may be overwhelmed by grief, questions, and uncertainty about what to do next. You do not have to navigate this alone.
The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. is a California personal injury law firm with extensive experience handling wrongful death claims arising from car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, slip and fall incidents, and other negligence-based events. Our attorneys are civil suit lawyers focused on helping families pursue justice and accountability through the civil court system.
Over more than 20 years of advocating for the injured, our firm has handled 20,000+ cases won and settled with a 99% success rate. These are historical results that reflect our past work and do not guarantee any particular outcome in a new matter, but they do reflect the depth of our experience and commitment to our clients.
Wrongful death claims are civil cases handled by wrongful death attorneys and civil suit lawyers. They are separate from any criminal charges a prosecutor may bring, and they focus on financial accountability for the harm caused to your family.
Families pay $0 owed unless we win — you pay nothing unless we recover for you. Based in California, we regularly represent families across the state, including major metro areas like Los Angeles and Irvine.
Get a free, confidential case evaluationCall us or submit a short contact form anytime to speak with a wrongful death attorney about your options.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why work with a wrongful death lawyer at our firm
Wrongful death claims ask families to manage complex legal issues at one of the hardest moments of their lives. Our role is to shoulder the legal and investigative burden so you can focus on grieving and rebuilding, while we work to protect your rights and pursue accountability through the civil justice system.
Focused wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience
Wrongful death cases are among the most complex matters personal injury attorneys handle. They often require detailed investigation, input from expert witnesses, and careful analysis of losses such as financial support, household services, and companionship. Our injury attorneys regularly handle fatal car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and serious slip and fall incidents, applying experience as accident lawyers and civil suit lawyers to navigate insurance company tactics and civil court procedures without promising any specific outcome.
Thorough investigation and evidence preservation
A wrongful death attorney coordinates accident reconstruction, secures police reports, and obtains medical and coroner records to build a clear picture of what happened. The same investigative rigor used by car accident attorneys and motorcycle accident attorneys is applied to fatal auto accident and truck accident claims, including locating and preserving surveillance footage, scene photos, vehicle data, and key witness statements. Acting quickly helps protect critical evidence and witness memories that can fade or be lost over time.
Strategic negotiation with insurers and defendants
Experienced personal injury lawyers evaluate liability and damages, prepare detailed demand packages, and negotiate with insurance carriers and defense counsel. While the firm’s history includes 20,000+ cases won and settled, prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future wrongful death case. The goal is to pursue fair compensation under the law for eligible surviving family members through careful documentation, clear communication, and informed negotiation strategy.
Trial-ready representation when settlement is not possible
Some wrongful death claims must be filed as lawsuits in civil court if insurers dispute liability or the extent of damages. Our civil lawyers and lawsuit lawyers prepare every case as if it may go to trial, from gathering testimony to analyzing wrongful death statutes and jury instructions. This courtroom readiness can strengthen our position in negotiations and ensures that, when necessary, your case is positioned to be presented clearly and professionally to a judge or jury.
How a wrongful death claim typically moves forward
When you are grieving, it can be hard to imagine adding a legal claim to everything else on your plate. This overview is meant to give you a calm, step-by-step sense of what the process may look like so you know what to expect and how the firm can guide you.
The legal team handles the procedures and deadlines at each stage, while you focus on your family and your own well-being.
Step 1: Free consultation with a wrongful death attorney
A family member can contact the firm for a free, confidential consultation to talk through what happened and ask questions. An attorney listens to your concerns, helps identify potentially responsible parties, and discusses whether a civil wrongful death claim may be appropriate. This conversation is informational only and does not obligate you to move forward.
Step 2: Case evaluation and legal strategy
The legal team reviews accident reports, medical records, and any available evidence to assess liability and the strength of a potential wrongful death claim. This evaluation may draw on the firm’s experience handling car collisions, commercial truck incidents, and premises cases such as slip and fall events, depending on how the fatal incident occurred. From there, the attorneys outline a strategy tailored to your circumstances.
Step 3: Investigation and evidence gathering
If you decide to proceed, the firm may conduct a deeper investigation. This can include gathering witness statements, obtaining expert opinions, inspecting the scene, and requesting business or maintenance records in premises liability matters. Preserving evidence early and coordinating with qualified experts, when needed, helps build a clear picture of what occurred.
Step 4: Filing claims and negotiating with insurers
The firm notifies insurance companies, submits any necessary claims, and prepares a detailed demand package explaining liability and the harms and losses being claimed. Injury attorneys then negotiate with insurers and, when involved, defense counsel. The goal is to pursue a resolution that reflects the evidence, without promising any particular settlement result.
Step 5: Filing a wrongful death lawsuit if needed
If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, the firm may file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court within the applicable statute of limitations. Civil litigators then handle pleadings, discovery, and pre-trial motions, keeping you informed about what each phase means and what to expect at key decision points.
Step 6: Resolution through settlement or trial
Many wrongful death cases resolve through settlement at some point in the process, while others may proceed to trial for a judge or jury to decide liability and damages. No outcome is guaranteed, and each matter depends on its specific facts and evidence. Throughout, the firm’s role is to prepare thoroughly, advise you on options, and advocate for your interests.
Wrongful death claims vs. other personal injury and accident cases
Wrongful death claims are a specific type of civil case that arise when a person loses their life because of someone else’s negligence or misconduct. They share many features with other claims handled by a personal injury attorney, but there are important differences in who files the claim, what losses are addressed, and how the case is structured.
Working with a wrongful death lawyer who is also part of an experienced personal injury law firm can help ensure that both wrongful death and related injury claims are organized correctly and pursued with care, without suggesting that any type of case is easier to resolve than another.
What it costs to hire a wrongful death attorney
Families working with The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. do not need to pay upfront legal fees to pursue a wrongful death claim. The goal is to allow you to focus on your family while the firm handles the legal process.
No fee unless we win
The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. handles wrongful death cases on a contingency basis described only as no fee unless we win. This means families pay $0 owed unless we win, or stated another way, you pay nothing unless we recover for you. Legal fees are only owed if the firm successfully obtains a recovery, as outlined in the written representation agreement.
What is included in representation
Representation in a wrongful death matter typically includes investigation of the facts, legal research, preparation and filing of claims, and negotiation with insurers and other parties. When necessary, the firm may file and litigate a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. In many cases, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. advances the costs of pursuing the claim, subject to the specific terms of the representation agreement, without requiring families to pay those costs upfront.
Discussing costs during your free consultation
During your initial consultation, a wrongful death lawyer will explain how the no fee unless we win arrangement works, answer questions about potential case expenses, and review the written representation agreement with you. You are encouraged to ask any questions you have so you can make an informed decision, and contacting the firm for a consultation does not obligate you to move forward with representation.
Illustration representing a contingency-based legal fee agreement, without money symbols or currency imagery.
Wrongful death attorney FAQs
Who can file a wrongful death claim in California?
State law generally allows certain close family members—such as a spouse, domestic partner, children, or, in some situations, other dependents—to bring a wrongful death claim. In some cases, the personal representative of the estate may file on behalf of eligible heirs. Exact eligibility depends on the statute and the family’s specific circumstances, so it is important to speak with a wrongful death attorney about who has the legal right to file.
How long do I have to bring a wrongful death lawsuit?
Wrongful death claims are subject to a statute of limitations, which usually gives families a limited number of years to file a lawsuit. Certain factors, such as the type of defendant or when the death was discovered, can affect how long you have. Because missing a deadline can prevent a claim from going forward, families are encouraged to contact a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to review timing issues.
Do I need a personal injury attorney or a wrongful death lawyer for my case?
Wrongful death lawyers are personal injury attorneys who focus on cases involving a fatal injury. The same firm may also handle related matters as car accident attorneys, truck accident attorneys, motorcycle accident attorneys, or slip and fall attorneys when the underlying incident involves those types of accidents. Choosing a firm with experience in both wrongful death law and the specific kind of accident involved can help ensure your family’s questions are addressed.
What types of accidents can lead to a wrongful death claim?
A wrongful death claim can arise from many kinds of preventable incidents, including car collisions, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle impacts, dangerous property conditions (such as unsafe stairs or inadequate security), and other events caused by negligent or wrongful conduct. An attorney can review the facts to help determine whether the circumstances may support a wrongful death claim.
Will my wrongful death case have to go to trial?
Many wrongful death cases resolve through settlement negotiations with insurance companies or other defendants, without a trial. However, some cases do proceed to trial when liability, causation, or the amount of damages is disputed. No attorney can promise a specific result, but a wrongful death lawyer can explain the options in your case and prepare for litigation if settlement discussions do not lead to a resolution.
How is a wrongful death claim different from a survival action?
A wrongful death claim is generally brought for the losses suffered by surviving family members, such as the loss of financial support and companionship. A survival action, by contrast, focuses on certain damages the deceased person could have pursued if they had lived, such as medical expenses or pain and suffering before death, and is usually brought by the estate. In some situations, both types of claims may be filed together, and a personal injury law firm can help families understand which options may apply to their situation.
Speak with a wrongful death lawyer today
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one and wondering about a potential wrongful death claim, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. is here to listen and provide guidance.
You can speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney in a free, confidential consultation, where your questions are treated with care and respect. Our firm is a California personal injury law firm that has handled more than 20,000 cases won and settled over more than 20 years, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
You pay nothing unless we recover for you. Call now or use our contact form to learn about your options under California wrongful death law.
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