Redlands Wrongful Death Attorney

Representing Redlands Families in San Bernardino County Since 1973

When a death results from someone else’s negligence, families face an immediate collision of grief and financial pressure: medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and legal deadlines that don’t pause for mourning. Dolen, Tucker, Tierney & Abraham has represented Redlands families in serious injury and wrongful death matters since 1973, pursuing multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in cases filed right here in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Every wrongful death matter at our firm is handled by a designated attorney and case manager from the first day. That first meeting is with a licensed attorney, not a receptionist or paralegal, so your case is evaluated with experienced legal judgment from the outset. Our attorneys are Redlands residents who have practiced in San Bernardino County courts for decades, giving them direct familiarity with local judges, court procedures, and how these matters move through the Inland Empire.

Contact our Redlands wrongful death lawyer by calling (909) 473-4948 today!

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim Under California Law?

Under California law, a wrongful death claim arises when a person dies due to the negligent, reckless, or purposeful conduct of another party who owed the decedent a duty of care. Survivors must show that the defendant’s conduct caused the death and that the death resulted in measurable damages to surviving family members. These claims are governed by California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60.

Wrongful death claims often arise from, but aren’t limited to:

• Automotive accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Malfunctioning products
• Defective medicine or medical devices
• Medical errors
• Homicide

When you work with our wrongful death attorneys in Redlands, we can help you understand what evidence is needed and how to preserve it early in the process.

Who Is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 sets out a priority order for who may bring a wrongful death claim. Eligibility depends on the claimant’s relationship to the decedent and, in some categories, on financial dependence.

Generally, the following individuals are entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit:

• Surviving Spouses and Domestic Partners: A spouse or registered domestic partner has primary standing to file.
• Children and Issue of Deceased Children: Biological and adopted children are primary eligible claimants; grandchildren through a deceased child may also have standing.
• Stepchildren and Putative Spouses: These individuals may qualify under section 377.60(b) if they were financially dependent on the decedent.
• Parents and Legal Guardians: Parents or guardians may have standing if they were financially dependent on the decedent.
• Dependent Minors in the Household: A minor who lived with the decedent for at least 180 days immediately before the death and received at least 50% of their support from the decedent may also have standing under section 377.60(c).

All heirs with standing must be joined in a single wrongful death lawsuit. Determining eligibility isn’t always straightforward, particularly in blended families or situations where financial dependence must be demonstrated. Our wrongful death lawyer in Redlands can review your relationship to the person who passed away and explain how California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 applies to your situation.

Damages Available in a California Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Surviving family members are often left managing financial burdens they didn’t anticipate. A wrongful death claim can pursue compensation across two categories of loss.

Economic Damages

Economic damages available in a wrongful death claim include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Lost wages the decedent would have earned
• Lost child support
• Loss of benefits such as retirement or medical coverage
• Loss of expected inheritance

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages may also be available, including:

• Loss of love, companionship, and affection
• Loss of child-rearing support and moral guidance
• Loss of the decedent’s household services

In some cases, a companion survival action under CCP section 377.30 may be filed on behalf of the decedent’s estate to recover losses the decedent sustained before death. Punitive damages generally aren’t recoverable in a wrongful death claim alone, with one notable exception: where the defendant has been convicted of felony homicide, punitive damages may be pursued directly through the wrongful death action, and they may also be available through a survival action. Economic damages are calculated with reference to the decedent’s earning history, age, and projected contributions; non-economic damages involve a more detailed analysis of the depth of the family relationship.

How Our Redlands Wrongful Death Attorneys Approach These Cases

Insurance companies and defense teams are focused on minimizing payouts. Our firm is positioned to counter that directly: we combine plaintiff advocacy and institutional defense within the same practice, which means our attorneys have firsthand knowledge of how insurers, corporations, and public entities build their defenses in wrongful death litigation. We prepare cases with that reality in mind from day one.

Our trial attorneys approach every matter with litigation in mind from the beginning. Building a complete factual record, working with the right expert witnesses, and developing a compelling case narrative strengthens both the trial position and the leverage in settlement negotiations. Throughout the process, families aren’t left wondering where things stand. We respond to calls and messages typically within 24 hours, provide regular updates when something changes, and clients can reach our team by phone, email, or secure client portal at any point.

Filing Deadlines for Wrongful Death Cases in California

In most California wrongful death cases, survivors must file within two years of the decedent’s date of death under CCP section 335.1. Several exceptions apply based on the circumstances of the death:

• Medical Malpractice: The deadline is three years from the date of injury or one year from discovery of the injury, whichever comes first, under CCP section 340.5.
• Government Entities: When a public entity is responsible, a government tort claim must typically be filed within six months of the death.
• Discovery Rule: The deadline may be tolled if the cause of death wasn’t immediately apparent.
• Minors: A minor pursuing a claim for the death of a parent generally has two years from the date of turning 18.

Cases arising in Redlands are filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court. Acting promptly matters: evidence can become harder to preserve, witnesses become more difficult to locate, and court scheduling adds its own delays. We advise families to speak with an attorney even if they believe a deadline may have passed, because exceptions may apply based on the specific facts of their case.

Why Redlands Families Choose Dolen, Tucker, Tierney & Abraham

Families facing a wrongful death claim need attorneys who know these courts, understand how the opposing side thinks, and stay with them from the first call through resolution.

• Over 100 Years of Combined Experience in San Bernardino County: Our attorneys have practiced in local courts for decades and bring long-term familiarity with the judges, procedures, and legal environment of the Inland Empire.
• Documented Results in High-Stakes Cases: We have pursued multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in serious cases, reflecting our ability to handle complex wrongful death matters.
• Attorney-First Intake: The first person you speak with is a licensed attorney who evaluates your case from the outset, not a support staffer gathering intake information.
• Designated Team from Start to Finish: Every client is assigned one attorney and one case manager. That team doesn’t change mid-matter.
• Peer-Reviewed Credentials: Our attorneys hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and are listed in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.
• Rooted in Redlands: Every attorney at our firm lives and works in Redlands. That’s not a marketing point; it shapes how we understand local institutions, conditions, and the community we serve.
• Free Initial Consultations: We offer free consultations so families can understand their legal options before making any commitment, and payment arrangements are available where appropriate.

If a loved one has passed due to the negligence of another person, contact our Redlands wrongful death attorney by calling (909) 473-4948 today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

A wrongful death attorney helps families identify all responsible parties, gather and preserve evidence, manage filing deadlines, and negotiate with insurers. These are difficult tasks to manage while grieving. At our firm, a designated attorney and case manager handle your matter from intake through resolution, responding to questions typically within 24 hours and keeping you informed whenever something changes. Families shouldn’t have to navigate insurance companies and legal deadlines on their own.

How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take in California?

Case duration typically ranges from several months to over a year. The timeline depends on the number of liable parties, the availability and condition of evidence, insurance company cooperation, and whether the matter proceeds to trial. Cases filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court are subject to local court scheduling, which can add time. Our Redlands wrongful death attorneys can give you a realistic picture of the timeline based on your specific circumstances and manage the process so nothing is missed.