Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman changed its name to Wisner Baum in January 2023.

Wrongful Death Lawyer Proven Track Record of Success

Reasons to Choose Us:

  • You Won't Pay Unless We Win
  • Over $4 Billion Won For Our Clients

Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorneys

Wisner Baum Prioritizes Kind, Compassionate Legal Counsel

sad family members grieving at a funeralAt Wisner Baum, we know that no one expects to suddenly lose a family member, life partner, or dear friend. Unfortunately, it does happen — sometimes because of another party’s negligence.

If negligence caused the untimely death of someone in your family, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek justice and compensation for this preventable tragedy. We know legal action is likely the last thing on your mind when you are mourning a loved one, so let our attorneys provide you with compassionate legal counsel and fight to bring the at-fault party (or parties) to justice on your behalf.

Contact Wisner Baum online or call (855) 948-5098 today to consult with our team of compassionate wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles, CA.

Accidents That Cause Wrongful Death

Any death that has occurred as a result of another party’s negligence is considered a “wrongful death” in the eyes of the law.

Thus, wrongful death claims can arise from many different accidents, including but not at all limited to:

Since wrongful death claims are so wide-ranging, it is essential to work with an attorney experienced in the specific type of accident that caused your loved one’s death. Wisner Baum is home to lawyers with decades of experience and skill litigating in a wide variety of practice areas. With varied backgrounds and areas of expertise, your case is in good hands with us.

Los Angeles Wrongful Death FAQ:

What Compensation Can I Receive in a Survival or Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In California, the representative of the estate of a decedent may recover compensation for damages beginning at the time the negligence took place up until the actual time of death, such as medical expenses, funeral bills, and punitive damages where appropriate. In addition, wrongful death claimants may recover damages including lost wages, mental suffering, and for the loss of the comfort, society, companionship, and guidance they would have received from their loved one.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Different states have different laws governing who may file a wrongful death lawsuit. In the state of California, widows, widowers, or registered domestic partners, and children of a decedent may be able to seek compensation in a wrongful death claim. Parents or siblings may also be able to file wrongful death lawsuit under certain circumstances.

If you are unsure if you are eligible to file a claim, consult with a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer as soon as you are able. Some cases may be governed by a statute of limitations, which specifies how long plaintiffs have to pursue a claim, so it is in your best interest to contact an attorney quickly.

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

In California, the statute of limitations allows wrongful death claimants two years from the date of death to file a claim. One common mistake that claimants make is waiting too long to begin legal action, believing the statute of limitations seems to extend far into the future and they will have time to address the matter later. It takes time to build a case and file a complaint, so the sooner your wrongful death lawyer can begin work, the better.

There could be additional deadlines you are required to meet as well. For example, an administrative claim must be filed in order to pursue legal action if your loved one died in an accident involving a government entity. You must file these claims six months from the date of the injury.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

In California, a wrongful death claim can be brought by the following individuals:
  1. Surviving spouse - The surviving spouse of the deceased person has the first right to bring a wrongful death claim.
  2. Domestic partner - If the deceased person had a registered domestic partner, the domestic partner may bring a wrongful death claim.
  3. Children - If the deceased person had children, the children may bring a wrongful death claim.
  4. Grandchildren - If the deceased person's spouse, domestic partner, or children are no longer living, the deceased person's grandchildren may bring a wrongful death claim.
  5. Other dependents - If the deceased person had other dependents who relied on them for financial support, such as stepchildren or parents, those individuals may bring a wrongful death claim.
  6. Personal representative - If there are no surviving family members who can bring a wrongful death claim, the personal representative of the deceased person's estate may bring the claim.

It's important to note that under California law, only one wrongful death claim can be filed for each deceased person. If multiple individuals have the right to bring a wrongful death claim, they must either join together in a single claim or file separate claims and coordinate their efforts.

Working with a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Los Angeles

Simply put, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Wrongful death attorneys will be able to help you avoid missing any important deadlines. They will also take additional steps to lay a strong foundation for your case, from assisting you in identifying the at-fault party to determining whether to file your case in a federal or state court. They will ensure your loved one’s probate estate is opened, when appropriate, and that any and all notice provisions are taken care of.

Wisner Baum’s legal team fights for the rights of wrongful death claimants and has a record of winning high-profile cases. We understand that nothing can make up for the loss of a family member, but if negligence was a factor in their untimely death, the party responsible should be brought to justice.

Call our Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys at (855) 948-5098 today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with our personal injury team.

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  • Toxic Torts $2.0 Billion Verdict

    In May of 2019, the jury in the case of Pilliod et al. v, Monsanto Company ordered the agrochemical giant to pay $2.055 billion in damages to the plaintiffs, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a Bay Area couple in their 70s.

  • Pharmaceutical Settlement $105 Million Settlement

    Wisner Baum obtained $105 million on behalf of multiple clients involved in a pharmaceutical negligence case.

  • Whistleblower Settlement $18 Million Settlement

    Wisner Baum secured an $18 million settlement against the Boeing Company for overcharging the U.S. government on aircraft maintenance.

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  • Commercial Truck Accident $15 Million Settlement

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    Wisner Baum secured a $8.5 million wrongful death verdict against the food industry company, Tyson Foods, for the wrongful death of a young man.

  • Best Law Firms 2023
    Best Law Firms 2023

    A ranking in The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” is widely regarded by both client and legal professionals as a significant honor. It is considered the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere.

  • The Truck Safety Coalition
    The Truck Safety Coalition

    Wisner Baum is proud to be a sponsor of The Truck Safety Coalition, a a group of caring individuals dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by truck-related crashes. Our support enables them to help families and save lives.

  • California Powerhouse
    California Powerhouse

    Law360 recognizes law firms that have a strong regional presence, working on important matters within their home state. “[Wisner Baum] possesses a David v. Goliath-sized slingshot while seeking justice for everyday citizens it believes were harmed or killed through corporate wrongdoing.”

  • Elite Trial Lawyers
    Elite Trial Lawyers

    NLJ and American Lawyer Media honor law firms and attorneys as Elite Trial Lawyers for their cutting-edge legal work on behalf of plaintiffs in practice areas ranging from mass torts to securities litigation.

  • Listed in Best Lawyers
    Listed in Best Lawyers

    Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.

  • AV Top Ranked Law Firm
    AV Top Ranked Law Firm

    Less than one-half of one percent of firms across the nation have achieved this ranking. A firm must have a high percentage of lawyers who have achieved the prestigious AV® Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

  • Verdicts Hall of Fame
    Verdicts Hall of Fame

    The National Law Journal inducted Wisner Baum into the Verdicts Hall of Fame for obtaining the $2 billion landmark verdict in the Roundup cancer case of Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto. The verdict was #1 in California and #2 in the U.S. in 2019 and is #9 in American history.

  • Super Lawyers
    Super Lawyers

    Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100
    National Trial Lawyers Top 100

    The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 recognized the law firms of Wisner Baum, the Miller Firm and Audet & Partners with the 2019 Trial Team of the Year award (in the Mass Torts category) for their work in the groundbreaking case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto Company.

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
    AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated

    An AV® rating reflects an attorney who has reached the heights of professional excellence. The rating signifies the highest legal ability, and very high adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.

  • Avvo 10.0 Rating
    Avvo 10.0 Rating

    Wisner Baum is proud to have all of its lawyers listed in Avvo, a legal directory connecting people in need of legal services with lawyers and connecting lawyers to lawyers. Eight of our attorneys have earned a 10.0 perfect rating with Avvo.

  • Top Jury Verdict in <br> CA and USA
    Top Jury Verdict in
    CA and USA

    TopVerdict.com ranks our $2 billion verdict in Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto as the biggest verdict in California and the second largest verdict in the U.S. in 2019. It is the ninth largest verdict in U.S. history.

  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
    Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers

    Published annually, the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list recognizes the “best of the best” in this area of the law through nominations, research, and review by a board of their peers.

  • Product Liability Practice Group of the Year
    Product Liability Practice Group of the Year

    In 2020, Law360 honored the law firms ”behind the litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry.” It recognized our success in several landmark cases.

  • Top Personal Injury Jury Verdict in California
    Top Personal Injury Jury Verdict in California

    In 2018, our $289 million Johnson v. Monsanto verdict was the largest personal injury verdict in California. TopVerdict.com also ranked it #2 among all verdicts in California and #10 in the nation.

  • Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
    Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

    The Bar Register is the definitive guide to the most distinguished law firms in America. It includes only those select law practices that have earned the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field.

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Firm Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying
  • I Can’t Imagine a Better Law Firm

    “Multiple lawyers recommended Wisner Baum to me and I have been consistently impressed with the quality of their work.”

    - Best Law Firms Survey
  • They Are About Changing the Systems...

    “Wisner Baum are not only amazing attorneys but more importantly, they are activists. They are about changing the systems which got us into trouble in the first place. They understand their role in the process of making change.”

    - Kim Witczak
  • Top Legal Minds in the Country

    “The Wisner Baum firm has some of the top legal minds in the country; they are driven, determined, trustworthy, ethical and passionate.”

    - From Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms
  • Diligent & Professional Representation

    “Thanks to your efforts I was able to recover from a tragic experience and turn my life around for the best.”

    - W.T.
  • Our Best Interest Was Always Number One on Your List

    “A special thank you to your Spanish-speaking staff for the extra effort put into this case. The language barrier was never a problem, and we are so very thankful to them. Your name holds much respect in our family.”

    - G.C. & C.C
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