California Filing Deadline
2 yrs
California's general statute of limitations for personal-injury claims is two years from the date of injury. Miss it and the claim is usually barred.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1
North County San Diego · Wrongful Death
Some calls are the hardest call a family ever makes.
North County San Diego Wrongful Death Attorney
Some calls are the hardest call a family ever makes. We handle wrongful-death cases with the discretion and seriousness they require.
33% contingency · no fee and no case costs unless we win · Every new case is reviewed by an attorney personally
What you should know about wrongful death cases in North County San Diego.
We start every new case with the same posture: assume the insurance company will try to close fast and pay light. Our job is to slow it down, build the file properly, and force the carrier to value the claim correctly.
Most wrongful death files have a small handful of issues that decide value: liability evidence, the strength of treatment documentation, lost-wage proof, and the available insurance limits. We handle each of those personally rather than passing them through paralegals.
Why timing matters
The clock starts the day you're hurt.
California's deadlines are strict, and evidence like video and witness memories fades fast.
Calling early lets us preserve evidence and file on time, so the insurer can't use the calendar against you.
Government-Entity Deadline
6 mo
Claims against a city, county, Caltrans, NCTD, or any other public entity must be filed within six months, far shorter than the standard two years.
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2
Property Damage
3 yrs
Claims for damage to your car or other property have a three-year deadline, but injury claims run on the shorter two-year clock.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(c)
Wrongful Death · FAQ
Common questions about wrongful death cases.
Who can file a wrongful-death claim in California?
The decedent's surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and — if there are none — the persons who would inherit by intestate succession. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 lists the precise hierarchy.
What damages are recoverable for surviving family?
Economic damages (lost financial support, lost household services, funeral costs) and non-economic damages (loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, society). Separately, the estate can bring a survival action for losses the person had before death, such as medical bills and lost wages. For cases filed on or after January 1, 2026, a survival action generally cannot recover the person's own pain and suffering (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.34).
How long do I have to file a wrongful-death case?
Two years from the date of death for most wrongful-death claims. Medical-malpractice wrongful-death cases run under § 340.5 with shorter limits. Government cases require a six-month notice.
Is the case separate from any criminal proceeding?
Yes. Civil wrongful-death claims are independent of any criminal prosecution. The standards of proof differ — civil is preponderance, criminal is beyond a reasonable doubt — so families can recover civilly even when criminal charges fail.