Wrongful Death matters in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills sits at the center of some of the busiest corridors in Los Angeles. Drivers funnel onto the 405 near Century City, race through the Sunset and Wilshire intersections, and weave between valet stands and crosswalks in the Golden Triangle. When a driver, a property owner, or a company acts carelessly and someone is killed, the surviving family is left to face funeral costs, lost income, and an unimaginable absence all at once.
A wrongful death case cannot bring your loved one back, but it can secure accountability and the resources your family relies on. We approach these cases with the seriousness and compassion they demand.
How fatal incidents happen here
- High-speed collisions on the 405 and the surrounding interchanges near Century City
- Crashes at major intersections along Sunset Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard
- Pedestrian fatalities in crosswalks and near valet-heavy entries in the shopping district
- Fatal falls and unsafe conditions at hotels, restaurants, and commercial buildings
- Collisions involving commercial trucks, buses, and rideshare vehicles
Who can bring a wrongful death claim
California law decides who has the legal right to file. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, the deceased person's surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other dependents and heirs may bring a wrongful death action. The claim allows the family to recover for their own losses, while a separate survival action can pursue claims the deceased person could have brought. If a public entity contributed to the death, such as a dangerous roadway condition maintained by a government agency, you must first file a written government claim under Government Code section 911.2, generally within six months.
What a claim can address
- Funeral and burial expenses
- The financial support the deceased would have provided to the family
- The loss of household services, guidance, and companionship
- Medical costs incurred before the death through a survival action
- The value of benefits the family reasonably expected to receive
Compensation and how fault is weighed
Wrongful death damages fall into economic and non-economic categories. Economic damages cover measurable losses such as lost financial support, lost benefits, and funeral expenses. Non-economic damages recognize the loss of love, companionship, comfort, and moral support, which no formula can fully capture. California applies pure comparative negligence, so even if the person who died was partly at fault, the family may still recover, with the award reduced accordingly. Because each family's circumstances are unique, no responsible attorney will promise a particular outcome.
Deadlines and the court that hears your case
Most California wrongful death claims must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. When a public entity may share responsibility, the six-month government claim deadline under Government Code section 911.2 applies first and is much shorter, so early legal advice matters. Beverly Hills cases belong to the Los Angeles County Superior Court; Westside matters are typically heard at the Santa Monica Courthouse or the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown. From our Glendale office roughly 15 miles away, MMG Law Firm offers free, private consultations in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we handle wrongful death cases on contingency so your family pays no attorney fee unless we recover.
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.