How long do I have to file a Burbank wrongful death claim?

In most cases the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the death under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a public entity may be responsible, a government claim generally must be presented within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Because that deadline is short, contact a lawyer as soon as you are able.

How much is my Burbank wrongful death case worth?

There is no fixed amount, and no lawyer can ethically promise a number. Value depends on factors such as the deceased person's income and support to the family, funeral costs, the nature of the relationship, and the strength of the evidence. We discuss these factors privately during a free consultation.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in California?

Under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, standing usually belongs to a surviving spouse or domestic partner and the deceased person's children. When there is no surviving spouse or children, other heirs who would inherit under California law, and certain dependents, may qualify. We help identify the proper family members to bring the claim.

Do I have to go to court for a wrongful death case?

Not always. Many wrongful death claims resolve through negotiation or settlement. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are prepared to file suit and pursue the case in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney?

MMG Law Firm handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee, so there is nothing to pay upfront and no fee unless we win. The consultation is free and available in English, Armenian, and Russian.

Burbank Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a family member because of someone else's negligence is devastating, and the legal questions that follow can feel impossible while you are grieving. California law lets certain surviving family members bring a wrongful death claim to recover for their loss. MMG Law Firm, based in Glendale just minutes across the Burbank border, offers free and compassionate consultations in English, Armenian, and Russian on a contingency basis.

Wrongful Death matters in Burbank

Burbank sits at one of the busiest junctions in the region, where the Golden State Freeway (the 5) meets the Ventura Freeway (the 134) at the I-5/SR-134 interchange. High-speed merges, heavy commuter and studio traffic, and congested surface streets near the media district mean that fatal collisions are a real and tragic risk for the families who live and work here.

As a firm based in neighboring Glendale, MMG Law Firm understands these roadways and the local agencies and courts that handle them. We move carefully and quickly to preserve evidence while giving grieving families the space and respect they deserve.

Why fatal crashes happen near Burbank

High-speed merging and lane changes at the I-5/SR-134 interchange
Rear-end and chain-reaction crashes in heavy stop-and-go traffic on the 5 and 134
Pedestrians and cyclists struck on busy surface streets in and around the media district
Impaired, distracted, and fatigued driving during long commuter hours
Commercial trucks and large vehicles sharing crowded freeway lanes

Who can bring a wrongful death claim in California

California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 sets out who has legal standing to file a wrongful death claim. That typically includes a surviving spouse or domestic partner, the deceased person's children, and, when there is no surviving spouse or issue, other heirs who would inherit under California intestacy rules. Certain dependents may also qualify. Determining the proper plaintiffs early is important so the claim is brought correctly.

When a public entity may share responsibility, for example because of a dangerous roadway condition or a government vehicle, a claim must first be presented to that entity, and Government Code section 911.2 generally allows only six months to file that government claim. Missing it can bar an otherwise valid case.

What a wrongful death claim can address

The loss of the deceased person's financial support and household contributions
Funeral and burial expenses
The loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, and guidance
In some cases, a related survival action for losses the deceased experienced before death

Compensation in a wrongful death case

No amount of money can replace a loved one, and no outcome can be guaranteed. A successful claim may seek economic damages such as lost financial support, lost benefits, and funeral costs, along with non-economic damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and affection. California's pure comparative negligence rule means recovery may be reduced if the deceased was partly at fault, but it is not automatically barred.

Deadlines and the court that hears Burbank cases

A wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a public entity is involved, the six-month government-claim deadline under Government Code section 911.2 comes first and is much shorter. Burbank cases fall under the Los Angeles County Superior Court and may be heard at the Burbank Courthouse. From our Glendale office minutes away, MMG Law Firm offers free, no-pressure consultations in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.