Managing Partner
California law gives a specific list of family members the right to file a wrongful death claim, and many people are surprised to learn that not everyone who loved the person who died actually qualifies to bring one.
If you lost your spouse, child, parent, or another close family member because of someone else’s carelessness or misconduct in the Los Angeles area, you’re likely trying to sort out which category fits your family on top of everything else you’re managing right now.
Working with a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney who has actually filed these claims in county courts can save you from guessing. Glotzer & Leib LLP handles these cases regularly, and we offer a free consultation. Call us at 747-241-8288 to talk through what happened.
A wrongful death claim in Los Angeles qualifies when someone dies because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, and California law gives specific surviving family members the right to sue for that loss.
The claim itself is a civil case, separate from any criminal charges the responsible party might face, and it exists to compensate the family for what the death cost them financially and emotionally.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 limits standing to file to a specific group:
Wrongful death claims in this county typically arise from car and truck collisions on major corridors like the 405 and the 10, pedestrian accidents in dense neighborhoods, defective products, medical errors, and unsafe conditions on someone else’s property.
Each cause of death produces a different set of records and a different timeline for preserving evidence before it disappears.
A qualifying claim needs proof that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased, that the defendant breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the death.
Los Angeles County courts expect that proof to come from documentation such as police reports, medical records, employment history, or expert analysis, not from an assumption that fault is obvious.
Sometimes, more than one party shares responsibility, and identifying every liable party early shapes how the entire claim gets built from the start.
A wrongful death case needs an attorney because the defendant’s insurance company starts working to limit the payout the moment a claim comes in, and the surviving family rarely has the resources or legal background to counter that on their own.
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators whose job depends on closing files for less than they’re worth, not neutral parties looking out for your interests.
Building a wrongful death case means establishing four separate elements:
Missing any one of these elements can sink a claim, regardless of how clearly at fault the other side seems to your family.
An attorney who has tried these cases in Los Angeles Superior Court knows what local judges expect from a damages calculation and how defense firms in this market typically argue their side.
Sometimes, the party at fault isn’t who you’d expect. A trucking company, a property owner, a product manufacturer, or a government entity can share liability alongside the individual directly involved, and each requires its own approach to notice and evidence preservation.
Claims against a government entity, for example, require a formal claim filed within a much shorter window than the deadline for private defendants, and missing it can end your case before it starts.
Insurance carriers change their approach once they know a firm is prepared to file suit rather than settle quietly. Adjusters who might offer a quick, low settlement to an unrepresented family often negotiate very differently once an attorney with trial experience is involved.
If your family is weighing whether to hire a lawyer after a loss, call Glotzer & Leib LLP at 747-241-8288 for a free consultation, and we’ll tell you honestly what your case needs.
California law allows surviving family members to recover several categories of damages tied to the loss of their loved one. These aren’t emotional add-ons; they’re recognized legal categories with real financial weight behind them.
The value of a claim depends heavily on the deceased’s age, earning history, and number of dependents, so two cases with similar facts can settle for very different amounts. A skilled attorney builds this calculation with input from economists or vocational experts when the numbers call for it, rather than relying on a rough estimate.
Two families who lost a spouse of similar age, for example, can end up with very different settlement values if one spouse was salaried with steady raises ahead of them and the other worked seasonal or freelance jobs with irregular income.
An economist can project lifetime earnings using tax records, industry wage data, and reasonable retirement assumptions, which gives a jury or an insurer a defensible number instead of a guess.
The same goes for household contributions; a parent who managed childcare, home maintenance, or a family business brought financial value that needs its own calculation, separate from a paycheck.
Glotzer & Leib LLP brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience to wrongful death and injury claims across Los Angeles County.
Our attorneys hold a 10.0 rating on Avvo and belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have won million-dollar verdicts or settlements. We’ve also received recognition from Super Lawyers, which named our firm a Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles, CA.
As a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer, Josh Glotzer built this firm around preparing every case as if it will go to trial, because insurance companies negotiate differently once they realize a firm won’t settle for less than a case is worth.
We’ve recovered $2.8 million for a family after a commercial truck accident, $1.6 million following an auto accident, $995,000 in a negligent security case, and $1.3 million in a medical malpractice matter.
Clients describe what that preparation looks like in their own words.
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
The wrongful death claims process starts with an investigation into what happened, moves into a demand sent to the responsible party’s insurer, and proceeds to negotiation or litigation depending on how that insurer responds. Most claims settle before trial, but a firm unwilling to file suit loses leverage in every negotiation it enters.
Investigation comes first, and it needs to happen quickly before evidence disappears. This typically includes:
Once the investigation establishes liability and damages, we send a demand package to the insurer or their attorney outlining what happened and what the claim is worth. The insurer either responds with a fair offer or disputes the claim, and how they respond shapes everything that follows.
If the insurer denies fault or undervalues the claim, we file suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, which opens formal discovery. Both sides exchange written questions, request documents, and take depositions, meaning sworn, recorded interviews of witnesses, experts, and sometimes the defendant.
Many wrongful death cases in this county also go through mediation before trial, where a neutral third party helps both sides evaluate the evidence honestly and work toward a settlement without the cost of a jury verdict.
Wrongful death cases move at different speeds depending on the court’s calendar and the defendant’s willingness to negotiate. You’ll get direct updates from your case team at each stage rather than tracking down someone new every time you call, and we’ll tell you honestly where your case stands rather than promising a timeline no one can guarantee.
Los Angeles juries also tend to weigh the loss of a working parent or young adult differently than insurers do in their initial offers, which is often where a properly prepared case gains its value.
We handle wrongful death claims arising from car and truck accidents, slip and falls, defective products, medical malpractice, and negligent security across Los Angeles County.
If your family member died because of someone else’s negligence or misconduct, call us and we’ll tell you directly whether we can take your case during a free consultation.
California generally gives surviving family members two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Claims against a government entity require a formal claim within a much shorter window.
Missing either deadline can end your right to recover, so earlier legal advice gives your case more room to develop properly.
Most wrongful death claims settle through negotiation before trial, but preparing your case as if it’s going to trial from the beginning gives us leverage an insurer can’t ignore. If a fair settlement doesn’t materialize, we’re prepared to take your case in front of a Los Angeles jury.
We handle wrongful death cases on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we recover money for your family. You won’t pay upfront legal fees, and we’ll walk through your specific situation before you decide anything.
California law limits standing to a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, grandchildren if the children have already died, and others who would inherit under intestate succession law. We’ll review your family’s situation during your consultation and tell you plainly who qualifies to bring the claim.
Losing a family member because of someone else’s carelessness leaves you with decisions no one prepares you for, and making them alone isn’t something you should have to do.
Glotzer & Leib LLP offers a free consultation to Los Angeles families considering a wrongful death claim, and we’ll tell you honestly what your case looks like before you commit to anything.
Our wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles have represented families throughout this county for decades, and we know what these cases require from day one. Call 747-241-8288 to speak with our office directly.
Glotzer & Leib LLP
714 West Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
GLOTZER & LEIB, LLP 714 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
