Wrongful Death matters in Hanford
When a Family Loses Someone
Few events are as devastating as losing a family member to another's carelessness, whether in a crash on State Route 198, a collision with a dairy or freight truck on a rural road, or a preventable hazard on someone's property. Around Hanford and throughout Kings County, the same conditions that cause serious injuries, high rural speeds, heavy agricultural traffic, and dense winter tule fog, can also turn fatal in an instant. While no legal action can undo such a loss, California law allows certain surviving family members to seek accountability and compensation for the harm the death has caused them.
Who May File Under CCP 377.60
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 defines who may bring a wrongful-death claim. The right generally belongs first to the deceased person's surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children. If there is no surviving issue, the right may pass to those who would inherit under California's intestate succession rules, and in some circumstances it extends to others, such as a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent on the deceased. Determining who has standing can be complex, and we help families understand their rights and bring the claim in the proper parties' names.
What a Claim Can Recover
A wrongful-death claim seeks to compensate surviving family members for their losses, which may include funeral and burial expenses, the financial support the deceased would have provided, and the loss of the love, companionship, comfort, care, and guidance the family has suffered. A separate survival action may also recover certain losses the deceased experienced before death. These cases require careful documentation of both the economic and the human dimensions of the loss, and we work sensitively with families to present the full measure of what was taken from them.
Building the Case With Care
Establishing fault in a fatal incident demands a thorough investigation. We gather police and coroner reports, scene and vehicle evidence, and, where a truck or business is involved, records such as driver logs, maintenance histories, and safety records. Fatal crash victims in the area may be taken to Adventist Health Hanford, and those records, along with the coroner's findings, help establish what happened. We move promptly to preserve evidence before it is lost, knowing that a strong factual record is essential to holding the responsible party accountable.
Standing With Families in Kings County
When the responsible party or its insurer refuses to deal fairly, a wrongful-death lawsuit may be filed in the Kings County Superior Court in Hanford. We understand that grieving families need an advocate who will handle the legal burden while they focus on healing. MMG Law Firm represents families on a contingency basis, with no fee unless we recover, and we pursue full accountability and compensation under California law with the dignity these cases deserve.
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.