Sanger Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a family member because of someone else’s negligence is devastating — and it should never have happened. California law gives surviving family members the right to hold the responsible party accountable and recover compensation for the losses they will carry for the rest of their lives. The Wagner Law Group has fought for grieving families across California for over 42 years. We handle wrongful death cases with the care, urgency, and tenacity these situations demand. If you lost a loved one in Sanger due to someone else’s negligence, call us now.
Call us now at (833) 200-7111 for a free consultation, or Contact Us below and we will reach out to you.
Sanger Practice Areas
The Wagner Law Group handles personal injury cases across Sanger and Fresno County, including:
- Personal Injury
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Brain Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Nursing Home Elder Abuse
- Plane Crash
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by surviving family members when a person is killed due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of another party. California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 governs these claims and defines who may bring them and what they may recover.
Common causes of wrongful death in Sanger include:
- Car and truck accidents — Fatal collisions on Highway 180 and local roads caused by distracted, impaired, or reckless drivers.
- Motorcycle accidents — Riders struck by drivers who failed to yield or check blind spots.
- Pedestrian accidents — Victims struck by vehicles in crosswalks, parking lots, or along roadways.
- Workplace and agricultural accidents — Fatal injuries on farms, packing houses, and job sites throughout Fresno County.
- Premises liability — Deaths caused by dangerous property conditions that an owner failed to correct.
- Defective products — Fatal injuries caused by unsafe vehicles, equipment, or consumer products.
- Institutional and government misconduct — Deaths resulting from negligence or intentional misconduct by institutions, law enforcement, or government entities.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Under California law, the following may bring a wrongful death claim:
- A surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Surviving children of the deceased
- If there are no surviving children or spouse — surviving parents, siblings, or other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased
If you are unsure whether you have standing to file, call The Wagner Law Group. We will evaluate your situation at no cost and explain your rights clearly.
What Damages Can Surviving Families Recover?
California wrongful death damages are designed to compensate surviving family members for the full impact of their loss:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support — The income and financial contributions your loved one would have provided over their lifetime.
- Loss of household services — The value of domestic contributions the deceased made to the family.
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and society — The emotional and relational loss suffered by a spouse, children, or parents.
- Loss of guidance and mentorship — Particularly significant in cases involving the death of a parent of minor children.
- Pre-death pain and suffering — Through a related survival action, the estate may recover for conscious pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death.
Wrongful death cases involving highway fatalities, workplace deaths, or institutional misconduct in Sanger can result in significant recoveries. The Wagner Law Group will fight for every category of damages available to your family.
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action
In California, two separate claims are often filed together after a fatal accident:
- Wrongful death claim — Filed by surviving family members for their own losses: financial support, companionship, and grief.
- Survival action — Filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate for damages the deceased experienced before death: medical bills, lost earnings, and conscious pain and suffering.
Both claims can be pursued simultaneously. The Wagner Law Group handles both, ensuring your family and your loved one’s estate recover the maximum compensation available under California law.
What to Do After Losing a Loved One to Negligence
- Contact an attorney immediately — Evidence disappears fast. The sooner The Wagner Law Group is involved, the better your case is preserved.
- Preserve all documents — Medical records, police reports, autopsy reports, and any communications with insurance companies.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Their adjusters are working to limit what they pay your family.
- Document your losses — Keep records of funeral expenses, financial hardship, and all impacts on your family’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sanger Wrongful Death Lawyer
Who can file a wrongful death claim in California?
A surviving spouse or domestic partner and surviving children have priority. If there are no surviving spouse or children, other dependents — such as parents or siblings — may have standing. The Wagner Law Group will evaluate your specific situation during your free consultation and explain exactly who can bring a claim and what they can recover.
What damages are available in a California wrongful death case?
Surviving family members can recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of household services, and loss of companionship and guidance. A related survival action can recover pre-death medical bills and conscious pain and suffering on behalf of the estate. The Wagner Law Group pursues both claims to maximize your family’s recovery.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in California?
California’s statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of death. If a government entity was involved, you must file a government tort claim within six months. These deadlines are absolute — missing them permanently ends your right to recover. Call an attorney immediately.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?
A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family members for their own losses — financial support, companionship, and grief. A survival action is brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate for damages the deceased personally experienced before death, including medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Both are often filed together to maximize total recovery.
How much is a wrongful death case worth in California?
It depends on the deceased’s age, income, life expectancy, the number of dependents, and the circumstances of the death. Cases involving working adults with dependents regularly result in seven-figure recoveries. Cases involving egregious negligence or intentional misconduct may also support punitive damages. The Wagner Law Group will give you an honest assessment during your free consultation.
Why The Wagner Law Group
- No fee unless we win — you pay nothing upfront
- Over 42 years of experience representing California injury victims and their families
- $300 million+ recovered — including $72.4M against Walmart and $100M+ against PG&E
- Proven track record against institutions — we took on the City of Sanger and won a $5.25M settlement
- We go to trial — defendants know we will fight to the end, which drives better outcomes for families
- 5-star rated by clients across the Central Valley
- AV Preeminent rated — the highest possible rating for legal and ethical standards
If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Sanger, do not face this alone. Call The Wagner Law Group today at (833) 200-7111 for a free consultation, or Contact Us below.
