Bay Area Wrongful Death Lawyer

The grief of losing a loved one never fully disappears. This is especially true when someone else’s negligence caused the death of the people you cared about. While no settlement or lawsuit can undo the loss, a wrongful death claim can hold the responsible party accountable and provide financial security for those left behind.

At Danko Meredith, we stand with families during the darkest times of their lives. Our experienced Bay Area wrongful death lawyers have spent decades fighting powerful corporations, insurance companies, and negligent entities on behalf of grieving spouses, children, and parents. We understand the emotional and financial weight of a wrongful death, and we don’t back down until justice is served. For a free consultation with proven wrongful death lawyers, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also reach our law office in Redwood City by calling (650) 453-3600

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Under California law, a wrongful death is when a person dies due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another party. These are civil claims brought by surviving family members who suffer emotional and economic harm due to their loss.

Wrongful death lawsuits can arise from a wide range of incidents, including car accidents, construction site falls, defective products, plane crashes, and wildfires. While the defendant may also face criminal charges in some cases, the wrongful death claim is separate; it’s about obtaining compensation, not punishment.

These claims give families a path to financial recovery, helping to offset funeral costs, lost income, and the profound loss of love, support, and companionship.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?

California law sets out strict guidelines about who is eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. Typically, the following individuals can file:

• The surviving spouse or domestic partner
• The deceased person’s children
• Parents or stepchildren who were financially dependent on the decedent
• If none of the above apply, other heirs under California’s laws of intestate succession

There are often multiple people who have a right to recover in a wrongful death case. Our Redwood City-based wrongful death attorneys work closely with families to ensure that all eligible parties are included and that the claim is filed properly.

How Danko Meredith Builds Powerful Wrongful Death Cases

Insurance companies and corporations will do everything they can to limit their liability. That’s why our skilled wrongful death lawyers treat every case as if it’s going to trial from day one. We have a decades-long record of advocating for grieving families and securing compensation from utility companies, major corporations, and even state entities.

• $50 Million Wrongful Death of a Child – A two-year-old child choked on a konjac gel candy that his father was unable to dislodge. The child suffered brain damage and died two weeks later. Our lawyers consulted Dr. Henry Heimlich, inventor of the Heimlich maneuver, and he stated that konjac gel would be difficult to dislodge from a young child’s airway. We uncovered documents that showed the candymaker knew about the choking hazard but marketed their product to young children regardless. The judge awarded $50 million, which included punitive damages. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration subsequently banned further import of konjac gel candies.
• $13.3 Million Fatal Small Plane Crash – The NTSB initially ruled that pilot error caused Dr. Ken Gottlieb’s fatal Cessna crash, but his family asked our law firm to investigate. Through forensic work, reviewing correspondence, and accident reconstruction, we learned that the plane’s mechanic performed undocumented maintenance on the pilot’s seat that caused it to slide into full aft position and jam during takeoff. This prevented Dr. Gottlieb from being able to reach the aircraft’s controls. After a seven-day trial, the jury awarded Dr. Gottlieb’s family $13.3 million, which is believed to be a record wrongful death verdict for a victim over age 65.
• $9.5 Million Fatal Cyclist/Pedestrian Accident – Chris Chandler was hit by a car and killed while crossing El Camino Real. Authorities claimed that Chris rode his bike into traffic in a possible suicide attempt, but witnesses stated he was walking his bike in the marked crosswalk. We uncovered documents that revealed the intersection was not safe, and the state knew about the dangers to pedestrians and cyclists but failed to address these concerns. The state’s highest pre–trial settlement offer was just $100,000; the jury unanimously awarded Chris’ family $9.5 million.

These are just a few examples of how we’ve helped families through one of the most challenging periods of their lives. At Danko Meredith, we’re ready to listen, and we’re ready to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. No matter who they are, we’re on your side.

What to Expect When You Call Our Law Firm

We know that reaching out to a wrongful death lawyer can feel overwhelming, especially during a time of intense grief. When you contact our Redwood City law office, you can expect:

• A free, confidential consultation
• A compassionate ear and honest guidance
• A thorough case evaluation with no pressure
• Clear next steps if we believe you have a claim

Our wrongful death attorneys only take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf. To request a free consultation with our Bay Area wrongful death lawyers, contact Danko Meredith today.

Wrongful Death vs. Survival Actions: What’s the Difference?

When a person dies because of someone else’s negligence, California law allows two distinct legal claims: a wrongful death claim and a survival action. While both may arise from the same tragic event, they serve different purposes and provide different compensation. Understanding the difference is essential to pursuing the full extent of recovery.

Wrongful Death Claims

Surviving family members file a wrongful death claim to compensate for the personal loss they’ve suffered. It focuses on the impact the death has had on the loved ones left behind.

Damages in a wrongful death claim may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support that the deceased would have contributed
• Loss of love, companionship, guidance, and care
• Emotional suffering and mental anguish

Only certain people can bring this type of claim, including spouses, domestic partners, children, and, in some cases, parents or other legal heirs.

What Is a Survival Action?

The estate of the deceased files a survival action to recover damages the person would have been entitled to if they had lived after the injury. These claims often apply when there is a delay between the injury and the time of death.

Damages recoverable in a survival action include:

• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Lost income between the time of injury and death
• Conscious pain and suffering experienced prior to passing

Unlike wrongful death claims, survival actions may also seek punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or extreme recklessness, such as in certain Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) wildfire cases where safety warnings were ignored.

Why You May Need to File Both a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action

These two types of claims are often filed together because they address distinct but equally important aspects of the loss.

For example, if a victim is catastrophically injured in a California wildfire caused by PG&E and later succumbs to their injuries, a survival action can recover compensation for the victim’s suffering and treatment. A wrongful death claim would compensate the family for their profound personal and financial loss.

At Danko Meredith, we have extensive experience pursuing both wrongful death and survival actions, especially in high-profile cases involving utility company negligence. Our Bay Area wrongful death attorneys ensure that every available avenue of compensation is pursued, so your family is not left to bear the burden alone.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?

California has strict time limits for filing wrongful death and survival actions, known as statutes of limitations. Unfortunately, if you miss them, you may lose your right to seek justice, no matter how strong your case may be.

General Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims

UnderCalifornia Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, surviving family members generally have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline applies regardless of the cause of death, whether it was due to a car accident, a workplace hazard, or a wildfire.

Deadlines for Survival Actions

A survival action, which is brought on behalf of the deceased person’s estate, has slightly different timing. It must be filed either:

• Within two years of the date of the injury that led to the death; or
• Within six months after the person’s death, whichever is later

This can create confusion, especially when the injury occurred some time before death or when the facts surrounding the incident are still being investigated. Our legal team helps families handle these challenges to ensure both claims are filed on time.

Special Rules for Claims Involving Government Entities

If a government agency is potentially liable, even shorter deadlines may apply. California law requires that a formal claim be submitted within six months of the incident in many cases involving public entities. Failure to meet this requirement can bar you from filing a lawsuit at all.

Do Not Wait: Act Promptly After the Loss of a Loved One

Our wrongful death lawyers understand that taking legal action may not be your first priority after losing someone you love. However, waiting too long can jeopardize your right to compensation. Valuable evidence may be lost, witnesses may become challenging to locate, and deadlines can pass quickly.

At Danko Meredith, our Bay Area wrongful death lawyers will handle every aspect of your claim with sensitivity and urgency. We’ll evaluate all applicable deadlines, gather key evidence before it disappears, and ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time.

If you believe negligence caused your loved one’s death, don’t delay. Contact our law firm in Redwood City as soon as possible to speak with our wrongful death lawyers.

Leading Causes of Fatal Injuries and Accidents

Our firm has handled wrongful death claims across a wide range of scenarios. The Bay Area’s bustling highways, construction zones, and proximity to wildfire-prone areas present many hazards.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Deadly crashes on U.S. 101, I-280, El Camino Real or Woodside Road frequently result in wrongful death claims. Distracted driving, intoxicated drivers, and unsafe road conditions all contribute to severe auto wrecks such as car accidents, semi-truck collisions, and fatal injuries to bicyclists.

Construction and Workplace Accidents

Falls from height, unsafe equipment, and negligent contractors make construction zones dangerous, particularly in places like Redwood City, Burlingame, and other parts of the Bay Area. Our wrongful death attorneys represent families of workers killed on the job when third-party negligence is to blame.

Aviation Accidents

Danko Meredith has a long history of representing victims in aviation disaster litigation. From minor plane crashes to fatal helicopter accidents, we leverage our in-house aviation knowledge, including attorney Mike Danko’s 4,000+ hours of flight experience, to uncover what went wrong.

Defective Products

Unsafe products, such as faulty medical devices, toxic chemicals, or hazardous auto parts, cause some wrongful deaths. When manufacturers prioritize profit over safety, our wrongful death attorneys hold them accountable under product liability laws.

Medical Negligence

Tragic medical errors, such as surgical mistakes, missed diagnoses, or medication overdoses, may rise to the level of wrongful death. These cases require a detailed review of medical records and expert testimony.

PG&E and Wildfire Wrongful Death Cases

One of the most devastating causes of wrongful death is California wildfires sparked by utility companies like PG&E. Many fatalities occur due to accidents during evacuation, smoke inhalation, or residents trapped by fast-moving flames.

PG&E has a long and tragic history of causing deadly wildfires due to failing power lines, poor vegetation management, and aging infrastructure. When these fires claim lives, surviving family members have the right to hold the utility accountable.

We’ve taken on PG&E in some of the largest utility-caused fire cases in California history. That includes working on litigation surrounding:

• The 2021 Dixie Fire
• The 2018 Camp Fire
• The 2015 Butte Fire
• The San Bruno gas pipeline explosion

These wildlife claims often involve large numbers of victims, detailed corporate defenses, and extensive expert analysis. Danko Meredith is one of the few firms with the resources, experience, and trial readiness to go the distance against PG&E and its army of lawyers.

Damages in a Wrongful Death Case: How Much Is My Claim Worth?

While no dollar amount can make up for your profound loss, compensation can ease the financial burden and create long-term stability for your family. In California, damages in wrongful death cases fall into two main categories:

Economic Damages

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost income and benefits the decedent would have provided
• Loss of future financial support
• Household services that the deceased would have performed

Non-Economic Damages

• Loss of love, companionship, guidance, and protection
• Loss of intimacy and support
• Emotional pain and suffering of surviving family members

Punitive Damages (Survival Action Only)

If your loved one survived for any time after the incident, and the conduct was particularly egregious, the estate may also seek punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct.

Our team of Bay Area wrongful death lawyers works with forensic economists, grief counselors, and life care planners to carefully calculate the full value of your claim.

Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a wrongful death case and a criminal case?

The government initiates a criminal case and focuses on punishing the wrongdoer. The goal is to establish guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” and if convicted, the defendant may face prison, fines, probation, or other penalties. These proceedings do not result in financial compensation for the victim’s family.

In contrast, a wrongful death case is a civil action brought by surviving family members or the deceased person’s estate. The goal is to secure monetary damages for the emotional, financial, and practical losses caused by the death. Civil wrongful death claims are separate from criminal proceedings and are governed by a lower burden of proof, requiring only that it is “more likely than not” the defendant’s conduct caused the death.

In many cases, both civil and criminal proceedings may occur. For example, if a person is killed in a DUI crash, the driver may face criminal charges while also being held civilly liable for damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Can I bring a wrongful death claim if the defendant wasn’t criminally charged?

Yes. A wrongful death claim can proceed even if the defendant was never charged with a crime or was found not guilty in criminal court. Civil lawsuits are independent of criminal cases and follow different rules of evidence and proof.

This often comes as a surprise to families. They may believe a lack of criminal prosecution ends their legal options, but that’s not true. Because the burden of proof is lower in civil court, families can often succeed in a wrongful death claim even if criminal charges failed or were never brought.

How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but many wrongful death cases resolve within 12 to 24 months. The timeline depends on several factors, including the strength of the evidence, whether the defendant accepts responsibility, and how complex the damages are to calculate.

Cases involving corporate defendants, such as PG&E or other large entities, may take longer, especially if they involve multiple victims, ongoing investigations, or technical questions about liability. If the case goes to trial, additional time is needed for discovery, depositions, motions, and court scheduling.

Our goal at Danko Meredith is to resolve your claim efficiently, but never at the cost of full compensation. Our wrongful death attorneys prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which gives us leverage in negotiations and ensures we’re ready if the case must be litigated in court.

What if multiple family members want to file a wrongful death claim?

This is very common in wrongful death cases. Under California law, multiple eligible heirs may have a right to compensation, including a spouse, children, dependent stepchildren, or sometimes even parents and siblings.

In most cases, the lawsuit is filed as a single claim on behalf of all eligible heirs, either by a personal representative of the estate or a lead plaintiff (party bringing the lawsuit). Any resulting settlement or court award is then divided among the claimants according to California’s wrongful death statutes or an agreed-upon distribution plan.

At Danko Meredith, our Bay Area wrongful death lawyers work closely with families to ensure every voice is heard and every rightful claimant receives their fair share. If disagreements arise, we help mediate and clarify entitlements, so your family can focus on healing rather than conflict.

Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Redwood Shores, CA

You deserve justice for the loved one you lost and accountability from those responsible. At Danko Meredith, we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with grieving families for decades, securing meaningful compensation and real answers.

Don’t wait to get the support you need. California’s two-year statute of limitations means time is limited. To speak with an experienced Bay Area wrongful death attorney, call our Redwood Shores office today at (650) 453-3600 or contact us online. Let us carry the legal burden while you focus on honoring your loved one’s memory.