Wrongful Death matters in Redding
When a Redding Family Loses a Loved One
Few legal matters are harder than a wrongful death case. In and around Redding, these tragedies often follow high-speed collisions on Interstate 5, on the mountain stretches of State Route 299 and State Route 44, or in crashes involving commercial trucks moving through this freight corridor. They can also arise from unsafe premises, defective products, or workplace incidents. Whatever the cause, the law allows certain surviving family members to seek accountability.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, a wrongful death claim may be brought by a spouse, domestic partner, children, and in some cases other dependents. A separate "survival" action under section 377.30 may allow the estate to recover certain losses the decedent experienced before death. We handle both with care, and we always communicate with families in plain language — in English, Armenian, or Russian — so they understand each step.
What a Wrongful Death Claim Seeks
California wrongful death damages are meant to compensate the family for their losses, which can include funeral and burial expenses, the financial support the loved one would have provided, the loss of household services, and the loss of love, companionship, comfort, and guidance. These cases require careful documentation, and we work with the family to assemble it respectfully and thoroughly. We never make promises about outcomes; we focus on building the strongest, most honest case possible.
Where a public entity may have contributed — for instance a dangerous condition on a state highway — a much shorter government-claim deadline applies, which makes early legal advice especially important.
Compassionate, Statewide Representation
If a fair resolution is not reached, suit is filed at the Shasta County Superior Court on Court Street in downtown Redding. Attorney Mihran M. Ghazaryan is based in Glendale and handles Shasta County wrongful death cases throughout California. We work remotely so grieving families do not have to travel, and there is no upfront cost — fees come only from a recovery.
Handling the Practical Burdens for the Family
Beyond the legal claim, families coping with a sudden loss face immediate practical pressures — funeral arrangements, unpaid bills, and the disruption of losing a provider. We try to ease that burden by handling the insurance communications, evidence gathering, and paperwork ourselves, so the family can grieve. We coordinate the necessary records from Mercy Medical Center Redding or the coroner, work with the family at their pace, and communicate in English, Armenian, or Russian. Our goal is to pursue accountability thoroughly and honestly while treating each family with the respect this kind of case demands.
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.