Riverside Wrongful Death Lawyers

Losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence is, in some ways, more devastating than losing a loved one to natural causes. For help seeking justice for your loved one’s passing, contact a Riverside wrongful death attorney.

Losing a loved one due to another’s negligence is an unbearable injustice. The loss of your loved one may mean that your family is left without the wages he or she brought in, as well as many other benefits. Worse, your loved one might have passed because of the careless actions of another person. If this is the case, you could be compensated for your losses. When dealing with a wrongful death claim, you want someone with empathy for your situation and the knowledge to guide you and your family.

A dedicated Riverside wrongful death lawyer from Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys is here to provide the compassionate guidance and powerful advocacy your family deserves.

Whether the tragedy resulted from a fatal car accident on the 91 Freeway, a workplace incident, or medical malpractice, we are committed to holding all at-fault parties accountable. Our experienced personal injury attorney team meticulously handles the complex legal process to secure the damages you need to go on without your loved one.

A lawyer from our firm will understand your situation and fight hard for the compensation you deserve, providing the financial security you need to move forward. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation today.

Compassionate Advocacy for Grieving Families in the Inland Empire

In the wake of a sudden, tragic loss, your family is navigating a time of profound grief and confusion. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, our role is to provide compassionate, clear guidance when the future seems most uncertain. A wrongful death claim is a legal path to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the financial stability your family needs to move forward. As your dedicated Riverside wrongful death lawyer, we shoulder the entire legal burden. We meticulously investigate the circumstances of your loss—from a tragic truck accident on the I-215 to an act of medical negligence—and handle all communications with aggressive insurance companies. A trusted personal injury attorney from our firm will ensure you understand your rights at every step, allowing you to focus on what matters most: healing together as a family.

The Kohan & Bablove Difference: A Commitment to Justice for Your Loved One

Choosing a law firm to represent your family after a devastating loss is a decision of immense trust. The Kohan & Bablove difference is our unwavering commitment to providing Riverside families with powerful, personalized, and effective legal representation. We are not just your lawyers; we are your advocates for justice.

A Legacy of Holding Negligent Parties Accountable in Riverside County

Our firm has built a legacy of holding negligent parties accountable in Riverside County. We have a proven track record of securing justice for families and are intimately familiar with the local court system, its judges, and the tactics used by defense attorneys in our community.

Your Case is Handled with Empathy and Direct Partner Involvement

Unlike other firms, your case is handled with empathy and direct partner involvement. You will work directly with a senior attorney who understands the sensitivity of your case, ensuring you receive the highest level of strategic insight and compassionate communication.

We Engage Premier Financial Experts to Demonstrate Your Family’s Full Losses

To build an undeniable case, we engage premier financial experts. These economists help us meticulously calculate the full, lifelong financial impact of your loss, from lost income to the loss of household services, ensuring no aspect of your damages is overlooked.

A Trial-Ready Reputation That Compels Higher Settlement Offers

We have a trial-ready reputation that compels higher settlement offers. We prepare every case as if it will be heard by a jury in a Riverside courtroom. This forces insurance companies to negotiate in good faith, knowing we are fully prepared to fight for the justice your loved one deserves.

Protecting Your Family’s Future: Critical First Steps

In the disorienting days following a tragic loss, thinking about legal matters is understandably the last thing on your mind. However, taking a few key steps now can be critical for protecting your family’s future and preserving your right to seek justice. The at-fault party’s insurance company begins building a defense immediately; these actions help you build your case for the truth.

Preserve All Evidence Related to the Fatal Incident

Evidence is the foundation of a successful wrongful death claim, and it can disappear quickly. It is vital to preserve all evidence related to the fatal incident. This includes any photographs or videos from the scene, the contact information of any witnesses, and the clothing your loved one was wearing. If a vehicle was involved in the fatal accident, it is crucial that it is not repaired or scrapped until it can be inspected by an expert. This physical evidence will be invaluable for your Riverside wrongful death lawyer to reconstruct the events and prove negligence.

Avoid Discussing the Case on Social Media Platforms

In today’s digital age, this is a non-negotiable rule. You must avoid discussing the case on social media platforms. Insurance companies will actively monitor the social media accounts of surviving family members, looking for anything that can be used against you. A seemingly innocent post about a family memory or an update on how you are coping can be twisted and taken out of context to argue that your family’s emotional and financial loss is less severe than you claim. The safest course of action is to refrain from posting about the incident and to set all profiles to private until the case is resolved.

Gather Important Documents Like Wills, Trusts, and Financial Records

While difficult, it is helpful to begin locating important documents. This includes your loved one’s will or trust, which can help establish who has the legal right to file a claim. You should also gather financial records, such as recent pay stubs or tax returns. These documents are essential for your personal injury attorney to accurately calculate the full economic damages, including the loss of future income your family has suffered.

Defer All Communication with Insurers to Your Legal Counsel

This is your most important legal protection. You must defer all communication with insurers to your legal counsel. The at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you quickly with a settlement offer. This first offer is a calculated tactic to settle your claim for a fraction of its true value, preying on your family’s grief and financial vulnerability. Politely decline to speak with them and state that your attorney will be in contact.

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in California?

Wrongful death is a unique type of court case because the victim—the would-be plaintiff—is not available for the trial. When a person’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another, California law specifies who has the legal right—or “standing”—to file a lawsuit. While wrongful death is a type of personal injury action, it must be filed vicariously by the victim’s survivors.

This legal framework is designed to ensure that those most directly affected by the loss have the primary right to seek justice, and understanding your position within this hierarchy is a critical first step.

The law gives first priority to the deceased person’s most immediate family members. These primary members of the family that are able to sue include the surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, and all surviving children. These individuals have the unequivocal right to file a claim to recover compensation for their own profound losses. This includes damages for the loss of financial support, love, companionship, guidance, and moral support they would have received from their loved one. A dedicated Riverside wrongful death lawyer will ensure that the rights of all eligible primary heirs are fully represented.

If the deceased person has no surviving spouse, partner, or children, the right to file a claim can then pass to other individuals. This can include the deceased’s parents or siblings, depending on who would be entitled to inherit the estate under California’s laws of intestate succession. Additionally, a putative spouse or stepchildren may also be eligible to file if they can prove they were financially dependent on the deceased.

A putative spouse is someone in a technically void marriage who had a good faith belief that the marriage was valid. Determining eligibility in these situations can be complex, making the guidance of a skilled personal injury attorney absolutely essential to protect your rights.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in the Inland Empire

A wrongful death can arise from any number of tragic, preventable incidents. In a major transportation and industrial hub like the Inland Empire, certain scenarios unfortunately occur more frequently. An experienced Riverside wrongful death lawyer understands the specific nuances of these local cases and knows how to build a powerful claim for justice.

Fatal Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents

The convergence of the 91, 60, and I-215 freeways makes our region a hotspot for devastating traffic accidents. The high volume of commercial truck traffic, combined with commuter congestion, leads to a high rate of fatal collisions. We meticulously investigate these crashes—whether they involve a big rig, a passenger car, or a vulnerable motorcycle rider—to hold negligent drivers accountable for the tragic loss of life they cause.

Medical Malpractice and Negligent Medical Care

When we entrust our loved ones to medical professionals, we expect a high standard of care. A wrongful death can occur due to a surgical error, a missed diagnosis of a treatable condition, a medication mistake at a local hospital, or neglect in a nursing home. Our firm works with top medical experts to prove when a healthcare provider’s negligence leads to a preventable death.

Premises Liability and Negligent Security

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. A wrongful death can result from a fatal slip and fall caused by an unaddressed hazard, a drowning in an unsecured pool, or from an act of violence that occurred due to negligent security at a commercial property or apartment complex. A dedicated personal injury attorney will fight to hold these property owners accountable for their failures.

Workplace Accidents and Construction Site Fatalities

The Inland Empire’s booming logistics and construction industries unfortunately see a high rate of workplace fatalities. While workers’ compensation may apply, a wrongful death claim can often be filed against a negligent third party. This could be the manufacturer of faulty equipment, a reckless subcontractor on a job site, or a negligent driver who causes a fatal accident in a work zone.

Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action: Understanding the Two Types of Claims

In the aftermath of a fatal incident, California law provides for two distinct but related types of legal claims: a wrongful death action and a survival action. Understanding the key differences is crucial, as a skilled Riverside wrongful death lawyer will often pursue both concurrently to ensure your family receives the full measure of justice available under the law.

Who is Entitled to Compensation in Each Type of Case?

The primary difference lies in who is being compensated for their losses. A wrongful death claim is filed by the surviving heirs (like a spouse or children) to compensate them for their own personal losses resulting from their loved one’s death. This claim addresses the financial and emotional voids left in the survivors’ lives. A survival action, on the other hand, is filed on behalf of the deceased person’s estate to recover the damages that the deceased themselves suffered from the moment of their injury until the moment of their death.

The Different Types of Damages Available in Each Claim

The damages sought in each claim are different. A wrongful death action seeks compensation for the heirs’ loss of financial support, love, companionship, household services, and guidance. A survival action seeks to recover the deceased’s medical bills incurred before death, their lost wages from the time of injury until death, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Notably, damages for the deceased’s own pain and suffering are generally not recoverable in a California survival action.

The Strategic Advantage of Filing Both Claims Concurrently

To achieve maximum justice, it is often necessary to pursue both claims at the same time. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of the tragedy are addressed—both the immense loss suffered by the family and the economic damages incurred by the victim before their passing. An experienced personal injury attorney is essential to navigate the complex procedural rules for filing and managing both types of actions effectively, ensuring that no potential avenue for compensation is overlooked.

Building a Powerful Case: Our Investigative Protocol

A successful wrongful death claim is built not on chance, but on a foundation of irrefutable evidence. The Riverside wrongful death lawyer team at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys employs a rigorous investigative protocol designed to uncover every critical fact and build an undeniable case on your family’s behalf.

Conducting a Thorough Investigation to Establish Clear Liability

Our investigation begins the moment you hire us. We go far beyond the initial police or coroner’s report, often visiting the scene of the incident ourselves to analyze conditions. We work swiftly to preserve crucial evidence, identify all potential defendants, and build an irrefutable case that clearly establishes liability and leaves no doubt as to the other party’s fault.

Securing and Analyzing Official Reports and Medical Documentation

The paper trail provides the core of your case. We immediately move to secure and scrutinize all official reports, from the CHP or Riverside Police Department report to OSHA findings in a workplace fatality. We also meticulously review every page of your loved one’s medical documentation, creating a clear and undeniable link between the negligent act and the ultimate cause of death.

Gathering Testimony from Witnesses and Consulting Specialists

We move quickly to identify and interview any witnesses, preserving their fresh memories of the event. To build the most powerful case, we also consult with a network of respected specialists. This includes medical experts to testify on the standard of care, accident reconstructionists to prove fault in a crash, and economists to calculate your family’s full financial losses.

The Legal Roadmap: Key Phases of Your Riverside Wrongful Death Claim

Navigating a wrongful death claim during a time of immense grief can feel overwhelming. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we provide a clear and structured path to justice. Your dedicated Riverside wrongful death lawyer will manage every legal detail, allowing your family to focus on healing. Our proven process is broken down into four distinct phases.

Phase 1: In-Depth Consultation and Strategic Case Planning

Your journey begins with a free, confidential consultation. This is more than just an intake meeting; it is a strategic planning session where you can share your story with a compassionate attorney. We will listen, provide an honest assessment of your legal options, and begin to formulate a customized strategy designed to achieve justice for your loved one. We will explain the legal process, answer your initial questions, and provide a clear roadmap for the path ahead.

Phase 2: Building Your Claim Through Diligent Evidence Gathering

Once you entrust us with your case, our team immediately mobilizes. This phase is dedicated to diligent evidence gathering to build an irrefutable claim. We secure the official police or coroner’s report, meticulously compile and analyze all relevant medical records, and promptly interview witnesses to preserve their testimony. We leave no stone unturned, gathering every piece of evidence necessary to establish clear liability and prove the full, comprehensive value of your family’s damages.

Phase 3: Initiating Legal Proceedings and the Discovery Process

If an insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, we do not hesitate to escalate. We initiate formal legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit with the Riverside County Superior Court. This begins the “discovery” phase, a critical stage where both sides exchange information under oath. Your personal injury attorney will expertly manage all aspects of this process, including depositions and document requests, using it as a strategic tool to strengthen your position and expose weaknesses in the defense.

Phase 4: Pursuing Maximum Compensation Through Settlement or a Trial Verdict

The final phase is focused on achieving the best possible outcome for your family. As highly skilled negotiators, we leverage the powerful case we’ve built to aggressively pursue a maximum settlement. Most cases resolve successfully at this stage. However, our reputation as fearless trial attorneys is our ultimate advantage. If the opposing side is unreasonable, we are always prepared to present your compelling case to a judge and jury to fight for the trial verdict you deserve.

Wrongful Death Damages in Riverside

While no amount of money can ever replace a loved one, a wrongful death claim is designed to provide your family with the financial security needed to navigate a future without their support and companionship. In wrongful death claims, damages awarded are typically meant to fill two needs: covering funeral costs or other medical expenses stemming from the victim’s death and providing compensation for the financial impact on the surviving family.

An experienced Riverside wrongful death lawyer will meticulously calculate all of your family’s losses to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you are owed under California law. While your settlement will not bring your family member back, it can make dealing with the tragedy of your loss easier.

Economic Damages (Lost Future Earnings, Funeral Costs, Medical Bills)

Economic damages are the tangible, calculable financial losses your family has suffered. This is the cornerstone of your claim and includes compensation for any monetary losses associated with the death.

This covers the full value of the future income and benefits your loved one would have earned over their lifetime, the loss of household services they provided, any medical expenses incurred before their passing, and the full costs associated with their funeral and burial. We work with financial experts to project these lifetime losses accurately.

It’s important to note that compensation is often based on your loved one’s earning potential. This can be helpful for those who have lost children or elderly family members, as well. However, if the decedent didn’t provide income, you will likely receive less compensation for this specific economic loss, but your claim for other damages remains valid.

Non-Economic Damages (Loss of Companionship, Love, and Support)

Non-economic damages are designed to acknowledge the profound, intangible losses that are often the most difficult to bear.

This is compensation for the loss of your loved one’s love, companionship, comfort, affection, moral support, and guidance. For a child, it is the loss of a parent’s wisdom and care; for a spouse, it is the loss of a life partner. Getting fair compensation is rarely easy, especially while dealing with such trauma, but having a compassionate personal injury attorney on your side can make a significant difference. We know how to powerfully articulate the depth of this immense and personal loss.

Punitive Damages (Awarded to Punish Extreme Recklessness)

In rare cases where the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness, malice, or fraud, punitive damages may be awarded through a separate survival action.

These damages are not intended to compensate your family for a loss but are designed to punish the defendant for their egregious conduct and to deter similar behavior in the future. We will always investigate whether the defendant’s conduct was so reprehensible that it warrants pursuing these additional, punishing damages.

Preparing for Your Free Consultation: What to Discuss with Our Team

Your free consultation is a critical first step. It is your opportunity to gain clarity and confidence, and our chance to understand the unique details of your case. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we believe in empowering you with knowledge from our very first meeting. A dedicated Riverside wrongful death lawyer will proactively guide you through these key discussion points.

How do you choose the right wrongful death attorney in Riverside?

Look for a firm with a proven track record of winning significant wrongful death cases in Riverside County, strong client testimonials, and extensive trial experience. The right attorney will focus exclusively on personal injury law and will demonstrate both empathy for your loss and the tenacity to fight for you.

What is your firm’s philosophy on handling such sensitive cases?

This question reveals a firm’s character. A compassionate firm will emphasize clear, patient communication and a commitment to shouldering the legal burdens to allow your family to grieve. Their philosophy should balance aggressive legal strategy with genuine empathy for your family’s situation.

How do you assess the total monetary value of our family’s loss?

A detailed answer should involve a discussion of both economic damages (lost income, etc.) and non-economic damages (loss of love and companionship). A top-tier attorney will explain their process for gathering evidence and using financial and economic experts to project lifetime losses and justify the full value of your claim.

What is your communication policy for case updates?

You should never be left wondering about the status of your case. Ask about their communication policy and how often you can expect updates. Will you have direct access to your attorney? A clear, client-focused communication plan is a hallmark of a reputable firm.

What level of involvement will be expected from our family?

Understanding your family’s role is important. While your attorney will handle all legal complexities, negotiations, and paperwork, your involvement is key. This typically includes providing documents and information as requested and being available for key decisions. A good lawyer will clearly outline these expectations.

Our Financial Commitment: No Fees Unless We Recover for Your Family

At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we believe that grieving families in Riverside should never have to worry about the cost of seeking justice. We provide elite legal representation on a contingency fee basis, removing all financial burdens and risks from your family during this incredibly difficult time.

A Simple Guide to Our Contingency Fee Agreement

Your dedicated Riverside wrongful death lawyer operates on a contingency fee. This means our legal fee is entirely contingent on securing a financial recovery for your family. If we do not win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing in attorney fees.

We Cover All Litigation Expenses, So You Pay Nothing Out-of-Pocket

Wrongful death cases can be expensive to litigate. We cover all litigation expenses, from court filing fees to hiring financial experts, so you pay nothing out-of-pocket.

Our Fee is a Percentage of the Money We Recover for You

Our payment is simple and transparent. Our fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the total financial compensation we secure for your family. We only get paid when you do.

The Statute of Limitations: An Unforgiving Deadline for Wrongful Death Claims

In California, the law sets a strict time limit, the statute of limitations, for filing a wrongful death claim. For most cases, you have just two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit. However, this deadline can be much shorter. Claims against government entities—if a public agency was responsible—can require formal action within only six months. Missing this non-negotiable deadline means you permanently forfeit your right to seek any compensation. It is absolutely critical to contact a dedicated personal injury attorney immediately to protect your family’s claim.

Consult with a Riverside Wrongful Death Attorney

If your loved one suffered from an accident that took his or her life, you deserve compensation to help you recover and maintain your day-to-day life. If you’re interested in filing your claim with the help of our firm, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we want you to receive the compensation you need for the difficulties you have been through.

Our firm also offers a free, no-strings-attached consultation with a Riverside wrongful death lawyer. If you have a question or concern about your case, contact us. We can be reached through our online contact form below, or you can give us a call at 949.535.1341.