Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is life-altering. While no amount of money can ever replace what’s lost, California law gives surviving family members the right to seek accountability and compensation. One of the first questions we’re often asked is: “How much is a wrongful death case worth?”
Statistics Are Just the Starting Point.
In California, data from nearly 1,000 wrongful death cases between 2019 and 2024 shows:
• Average settlement: $973,000
• Median settlement: $290,000
Average jury verdicts tend to be even higher, often ranging from $1 million to $5 million depending on the circumstances.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. Each case is unique, and several critical factors determine where a case falls on the spectrum.
What Really Drives the Value of a Case?
There is no fixed formula. The facts of the incident, the background of the person who died, and the strength of the liability case all shape the outcome. So do the financial resources of the defendant and the skill of the legal team involved.
Key factors that influence case value include:
- The decedent’s age, health, and earning capacity
• Whether the decedent had children or dependents
• Evidence of conscious pain and suffering before death
• Insurance policy limits or corporate and government assets
• The experience and strategy of the legal team
When liability is clear, damages are high, and the defendant has the resources to pay, wrongful death results can reach into the tens of millions, especially with trial-ready counsel.
What You Can Control.
Families cannot change what happened. But they can choose how they respond and who represents them. One of the most important predictors of outcome is legal representation. Experience, preparation, and willingness to go to trial all matter.
Danko Meredith’s Wrongful Death Results.
We have secured some of California’s largest wrongful death results through both verdicts and settlements. These outcomes reflect not just the facts of the case but the work behind them—deep investigation, expert involvement, and strategic litigation.
Representative results include:
*$51 million – Death of father
*$50 million – Death of young child
*$23 million – Death of father
*$13 million – Death of retired husband
*$12 million – Death of retired father and husband
*$10 million – Death of adult son
These results were not handed out. They were built through evidence, expertise, and courtroom readiness. While not every case will reach these levels, they show what is possible when the facts support it and the right team is in place.
We’re Here to Help.
If you have lost a family member due to negligence, whether in an accident, crash, or disaster you may have a right to recovery. We can help you understand your options and pursue the justice your family deserves.