MMGLaw Firm

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San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a family member to someone else's negligence is devastating, and no legal claim can undo that loss. MMG Law Firm helps San Diego families pursue accountability and financial security after a wrongful death.

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Wrongful Death matters in San Diego

Fatal incidents in San Diego can arise anywhere people gather and travel, from high-speed crashes on the 5, 8, and 15 to collisions on the Coronado Bridge, falls at commercial venues, and tragedies on the roads near Mission Valley and downtown. The circumstances differ, but the family is left to navigate both grief and a complex legal process. California law sets out who may bring a wrongful death action through standing under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, generally the surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other dependents or heirs. Insurers and defendants often dispute who has standing or contest the cause of death, and California's pure comparative negligence rule can reduce a recovery by the decedent's share of fault. A wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and if a government entity is involved, a written claim is usually due within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Wrongful death cases connected to San Diego are generally filed in the San Diego County Superior Court, with civil litigation handled at the downtown Central Courthouse. From its Glendale base, MMG Law Firm represents San Diego and statewide families, handling much of the case by phone, email, and a secure document portal and traveling to San Diego for court as needed. Consultations are free and available in English, Armenian, and Russian, and the firm works on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.

Types of wrongful death matters cases 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, 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.

More practice areas in San Diego

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San Diego Wrongful Death FAQ

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