Losing someone because of another person’s carelessness is hard enough without questions about insurance, reports and deadlines. We are sorry for your loss. This page explains how wrongful death claims work in Los Angeles, who can bring them and which deadlines apply, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney? B&D Law Group, APLC handles wrongful death cases across Los Angeles, and the first consultation is free.
Who can bring a wrongful death claim
A wrongful death claim may be brought by the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue, by the people who would be entitled to the decedent’s property by intestate succession. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren and parents who were dependent on the decedent, and some minors who lived in the decedent’s household for the previous 180 days and depended on the decedent for half or more of their support, may also bring a claim. The decedent’s personal representative can bring the claim on their behalf (Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60). Who qualifies in your situation depends on the facts, so we review it with you.
The medical examiner and other reports
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner is responsible by state law for inquiring into the circumstances, manner and cause of deaths within its jurisdiction, including suspected homicides, suicides and accidental deaths. It is located at 1104 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033, and can be reached at (323) 343-0512 on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Case information is available through the case search on the department’s website. If the death followed a traffic crash, the LAPD or the California Highway Patrol will also have a collision report, and the LAPD process is described in the next section.
Getting your Los Angeles collision report
For crashes inside the City of Los Angeles, the LAPD Records and Identification Division releases traffic collision reports to authorized people, such as those involved in the crash and their representatives, as provided in Vehicle Code section 20012. The LAPD says you can request a report online through LexisNexis or by mail to Los Angeles Police Department, Records and Identification Division, Document Processing Unit, P.O. Box 30158, Los Angeles, CA 90030. Its recorded line for questions or a status update is (213) 486-8130. Fees change, so check the LAPD’s current instructions before you pay. Crashes on state freeways, such as the 5, 10, 101 or 405, are generally investigated by the California Highway Patrol instead.
When the City of Los Angeles or another agency may be responsible
If a public agency’s road, vehicle or property may have contributed to the death, special claim rules apply. California does not allow a lawsuit against a public entity until a written claim has been presented and acted on (Government Code section 945.4), and a claim for injury or death generally must be presented within six months of the incident (Government Code section 911.2). The City of Los Angeles accepts claims through the Office of the City Clerk online, by mail or in person at 200 North Spring Street, Room 395, City Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90012; the city does not accept claims by email or fax (see also the City Attorney claims page). Claims involving state roads, LA County or LA Metro go to those agencies, so identify the right one early.
Deadlines and fault rules that apply to wrongful death claims
- Two years to file a lawsuit. Most California wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1).
- Six months for government claims. A written claim relating to a cause of action for death generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2).
- Shared fault reduces, but does not bar, a claim. California follows pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804).
How a Los Angeles wrongful death case usually moves
- Free consultation. You tell us what happened and we explain your options. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
- Investigation. We gather the reports, photos, witness information, insurance details and your medical records.
- Claim and negotiation. We present the claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Government claim if needed. If the City of Los Angeles or another public agency may share responsibility, we prepare the written claim before the six-month deadline.
- Lawsuit if needed. If the case does not settle, we file a lawsuit in the proper California Superior Court and keep pushing toward trial.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Los Angeles
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Los Angeles in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney cost?
The consultation is free. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Los Angeles?
Most California personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2).
Who can file a wrongful death claim in California?
Under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and issue of deceased children can bring the claim, or if there are none, the people entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession. Certain dependents, such as parents or stepchildren who were dependent on the decedent, and some minors who lived in the decedent’s household, may also qualify. The decedent’s personal representative can bring the claim on their behalf.
Does the medical examiner’s report matter?
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner investigates deaths within its jurisdiction, including accidental deaths, to determine circumstances, manner and cause of death. Its findings can be important evidence. Contact the department at (323) 343-0512 on weekdays, or use the case search on its website.
What if a public agency was involved in the death?
A written claim to the public entity generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2), and a lawsuit cannot be filed until that claim has been acted on (Government Code section 945.4). Tell us as early as possible if a city, county or state agency may be involved.
Related pages and nearby areas
More ways we help injured people across Los Angeles County:
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer
- Los Angeles truck accident lawyer
- Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer
- Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer
- Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer
- Los Angeles dog bite lawyer
- Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer
- California wrongful death attorneys
- Los Angeles personal injury attorneys
- Santa Monica personal injury lawyer
- Culver City personal injury lawyer
- Hollywood personal injury lawyer
- Inglewood personal injury lawyer
- Glendale personal injury lawyer
- Long Beach personal injury lawyer
- All California and Nevada areas we serve
Talk to a B&D Law Group attorney
B&D Law Group, APLC represents people hurt in Los Angeles from our Los Angeles office at 10700 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025. The consultation is free, and we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (310) 424-5252 or send us your case details.
Attorney advertising. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Agency procedures, fees and data on this page were checked against official sources in October 2026 and can change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.