Wrongful Death matters in Fresno
When a fatal crash on Highway 99 or a preventable act of negligence takes a loved one, no lawsuit can undo the loss. What California law can do is hold the responsible party accountable and provide for the family left behind. A wrongful death claim is a civil action, separate from any criminal case, brought by surviving relatives.
MMG Law Firm represents Fresno families in these claims from our Glendale base, managing the investigation, the insurance companies, and the court process with the sensitivity these cases demand.
Why fatal incidents happen on Fresno's roads and beyond
Fresno sits at the crossroads of major highways, and high-speed corridors carry the greatest risk of fatal collisions:
- Highway 99, the Central Valley's busiest north-south route, where speed and heavy truck traffic produce severe crashes
- State Route 41, connecting Fresno toward the foothills and Yosemite, with mixed commuter and tourist traffic
- State Route 168 toward Clovis and the mountains, and State Route 180 running east-west through the region
- Beyond traffic, fatal incidents also arise from unsafe premises, defective products, and other acts of negligence
Who can file and the law that controls it
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, only specific people have standing to bring a wrongful death claim. These generally include the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, if there are none, others entitled to inherit under California intestate succession, such as parents or siblings. Certain dependents may also qualify. Determining who has standing can be complex, and we help families sort it out early.
If a public entity contributed to the death, such as a dangerous road condition or a government vehicle, you must first file a written government claim under Government Code section 911.2, generally within six months. This deadline is much shorter than the standard filing period.
Cases and losses these claims address
- Fatal motor vehicle and truck collisions
- Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities
- Deaths from unsafe property conditions
- Deaths caused by defective products or dangerous conditions
Compensation available to surviving family
California wrongful death damages fall into economic and non-economic categories. Economic damages can include the financial support the deceased would have provided, funeral and burial costs, and the value of lost household services. Non-economic damages address the loss of the loved one's love, companionship, comfort, and guidance. A separate survival action may recover certain losses the deceased suffered before death. Under pure comparative negligence, any fault attributed to the deceased reduces but does not erase recovery. No result is ever guaranteed, and value depends on the specific facts.
Deadlines and the Fresno courthouse
Wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. When a public entity is involved, the six-month government-claim deadline under Government Code section 911.2 applies first and is critical. These cases are typically filed in the Fresno County Superior Court at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse in downtown Fresno. Acting promptly protects evidence and your right to file.
How MMG Law Firm supports Fresno families
We are based in Glendale, about 220 miles south of Fresno, and offer statewide representation without a local office, which we disclose openly. We handle most matters remotely through phone, email, and video, and we travel to Fresno for court appearances, depositions, and proceedings when needed. We coordinate the investigation, work with the insurers, and keep families informed at every step. Consultations are free and available in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.
Our attorney
How Mihran M. Ghazaryan helps with wrongful death
These are the matters Mihran M. Ghazaryan approaches with the most care. He identifies the family members California law allows to bring a claim, handles the process so the family doesn't have to relive it at every turn, and accounts fully for both the economic and the human losses — quietly, respectfully, and with the family's wishes leading the way.
Types of wrongful death matters we handle
Motor-vehicle fatalities
Includes pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and passenger fatalities. Federal regulations and CHP investigation drive the timeline.
Premises and workplace fatalities
Cal-OSHA reports become available later than family expects. We coordinate the investigation around their pace, not the agency's.
Medical-related deaths
MICRA limits and physician/hospital coordination create unique procedural rules. We work with consulting experts early.
Damages
What compensation can cover
Every wrongful death claim is different, but California law allows injured plaintiffs to seek several categories of damages. We build each one with documentation — medical records, wage statements, expert opinions — so nothing is left on the table.
Medical expenses
Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and the future treatment your providers say you'll need.
Lost wages
Income you lost while recovering — and, where the injury affects your ability to work, diminished future earning capacity.
Pain and suffering
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed how you live day to day.
Property damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other property damaged in the incident.
Out-of-pocket costs
Transportation to appointments, medical equipment, household help, and the other expenses an injury forces on you.
How we work
- 1
Free, no-pressure consultation
We listen first. We answer your questions. There is no fee for the initial conversation — and you decide whether to engage us at the end of it.
- 2
Investigation and evidence preservation
Police reports, scene photos, witness statements, vehicle data, surveillance video, medical records. The earlier we collect, the harder it is for the other side to reshape the story later.
- 3
Treatment, demand, and negotiation
We coordinate with your providers, document the full extent of damages — medical, lost income, pain — and present a demand backed by evidence. We push back firmly when an insurer lowballs.
- 4
Litigation when necessary
Most matters settle. When an insurer refuses to be reasonable, we file. Preparing every case as if it will be tried is what makes the settlement number move.
What to do right away
- Take the time you need before making decisions about a case.
- Preserve any evidence in your possession — vehicles, clothing, devices.
- Do not sign anything from the at-fault party's insurer.
- Be cautious of social-media posts; they will be reviewed.
- When ready, call us. The consultation is free and there is no rush.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Deadlines that matter
Most California personal-injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Miss the window and the court will almost always dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Claims against government entities are much shorter — generally a written claim within six months (Government Code §911.2). Crashes involving city vehicles, public buses, or dangerous public-road conditions can fall under this rule.
Exceptions exist in both directions — discovery rules, minors, continuing violations, out-of-state defendants — so don't assume your deadline has passed or that you have time to spare. Call (818) 539-7969 and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.