Best Wrongful Death Attorney in Los Angeles, CA 2024

The sudden death of a person you love is an indescribable pain. The loss becomes even more tragic when it is due to someone else’s negligence, and the emotional trauma is further on the top due to the need to fight for justice. If you are in Los Angeles and want to find the best wrongful death attorney (or variations like Los Angeles wrongful death attorney, wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles, etc.), you have reached the right place.

In this post, we will clear the path and give you the way to the top wrongful death attorneys in LA for 2024. We will examine their experience, track record, and client reviews so that you can get the representation you deserve during this tough period.

Best Wrongful Death Lawyers in Los Angeles

If you’re looking for the best wrongful death lawyers in Los Angeles, here are some notable options:

• Nigel Burns
• Lindsay Burton
• Hazel S. Chang
• Carl E. Douglas
• Shane Hapuarachy

Nigel Burns

Nigel Burns is a big name in the world of wrongful death lawyers in Los Angeles. His law firm, The Law Offices of Nigel Burns, is known for the whole wrongful death cases. The pain and financial load of families who lost a loved one due to negligence is an extremely hard experience, and Nigel Burns and his team are aware of the emotional trauma and financial burden that families face in such situations.

Here are some key points about Nigel Burns and his practice:

1. Experience and Background:
   • Nigel Burns has over 15 years of experience as an attorney.
   • He graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
   • He is known for being a zealous and conscientious advocate who prioritizes his clients’ needs.
2. Notable Verdicts and Settlements:
   • Medical Malpractice: Nigel Burns secured a $1.4 million verdict in a medical malpractice case against the County of Los Angeles.
   • Automobile Wrongful Death: He achieved a $4.25 million policy limits settlement in an automobile wrongful death case.
   • Elder Abuse/Probate: Nigel obtained a remarkable $12.5 million settlement in an elder abuse and probate matter.

Lindsay Burton

Lindsay Burton is a plaintiff’s civil litigation lawyer at B|B Law Firm LLP. Her career has been the advocate of the people who have suffered losses due to the wrongful actions of others. Here’s more about her and some of her notable achievements:

1. Experience and Background:
   • Personal Injury: Lindsay represents plaintiffs in personal injury cases, including wrongful death claims.
   • Employment Law: She handles matters related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage violations, and overtime violations.
2. Awards and Recognition:
   • Super Lawyers Rising Star (2019-2023)
   • Daily Journal Top Verdicts (February 2020)
   • Top 10 Under 40 Personal Injury Attorneys (2023)
   • Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys (2019 & 2023)
3. Winning Cases:
   • While specific cases aren’t listed on the B|B Law Group website, Lindsay has obtained countless successful verdicts and settlements on behalf of her clients.

Hazel S. Chang

Hazel S. Chang, Esq. is a well-experienced attorney at Wilshire Law Firm who has a long list of personal injury cases at the end of which there are wrongful death claims. Let’s delve into her background, experience, and notable achievements:

1. Background and Education:
   • Hazel is a San Francisco native who earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Riverside, before graduating with her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law.
   • She has over twelve years of diverse legal experience, including extensive case management and trial preparation.
2. Prominent Settlements:
   • Hazel’s impressive settlements include:
     • A $2 million bus vs. pedestrian settlement
     • A $2 million auto vs. auto settlement
     • A $1.2 million auto vs. auto settlement
     • Two separate $1 million auto vs. auto settlements.

Read More,:

• Best Car Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
• Top Personal Injury Lawyers in Los Angeles
• Best Slip and Fall Lawyers in Los Angeles
• Best Dog Bite Lawyers in Los Angeles

Carl E. Douglas

1. Background and Career:
   • Carl Edwin Douglas was born on May 8, 1955, in New Haven, Connecticut.
   • He graduated from Dorsey High School in Crenshaw, Los Angeles.
   • Douglas earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of California, Berkeley.
2. Notable Cases and Achievements:
   • In the case of Patricia Anderson vs. General Motors, Douglas secured a historic verdict. General Motors was ordered to pay a record $4.9 billion in damages when two women and four children were trapped inside a 1979 Chevrolet Malibu, and the gas tank exploded on Christmas Eve of 1993. This remains one of the largest verdicts in personal injury history.
   • As lead counsel in a seven-week trial against the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Douglas helped the victim’s family obtain a verdict of $8 million concerning the wrongful death of an unarmed African-American man.

Shane Hapuarachy

Shane Hapuarachy is a partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices, where he handles wrongful death cases and cases involving individuals who have suffered serious injuries. His approach to litigation mirrors his approach to life: Success is achieved through strategic thinking, hard work, and an openness to taking risks.

Here are some key points about Shane Hapuarachy:

1. Background and Career:
   • Shane earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Loyola Law School.
2. Career Highlights:
   • Over the course of his legal career, Shane has secured several seven-figure verdicts and settlements against various entities, including:
     • A $9.1 million premises liability case involving a critical injury at an apartment complex due to the landlord’s failure to install a handrail (January 2020).
     • A $7.5 million negligence case resulted in injury due to a public agency’s negligent design of a thoroughfare (June 2020).
     • A confidential mid-seven-figure settlement was reached in a medical malpractice case involving a hospital’s failure to monitor a stroke patient (July 2019) adequately.
     • A $1.19 million verdict in a construction defect case related to a negligently installed wheelchair ramp (February 2019).
     • A $2 million verdict in a Civil Rights/Section 1983 case against the LAPD regarding excessive force leading to a fatal shooting (March 2017).

How to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in LA?

We are here to find the right Los Angeles wrongful death attorney for your case, but such a horrible event happens anywhere. This section is intended for you to acquire a basic knowledge of wrongful death lawsuits, no matter where you are, and that is the same for all people. This is a bridge across state lines because the fight for justice should not be restricted by geography.

Who Can File?

In most states, including New York, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This is typically a spouse, child, or court-appointed representative.

What Needs to be Proven?

The core of a wrongful death case hinges on demonstrating two crucial aspects:

1. Negligence Caused the Death: You’ll need to establish that the death resulted from another party’s negligence. This could be due to a car accident, medical malpractice, or any situation where someone’s carelessness led to the fatality.
2. Damages Were Suffered: The lawsuit seeks compensation for the losses stemming from the death. This can encompass medical expenses, lost income (if the deceased financially supported others), and emotional distress for surviving family members.

How can I find the best Wrongful Death Attorney in Los Angeles?

Here are some tips to help you find the best wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles:

• Look for Experience: Wrongful death cases are complex. Prioritize attorneys with a proven track record handling similar cases in Los Angeles.
• Seek Referrals: Personal recommendations are invaluable. Talk to friends, family, or colleagues who may have had positive experiences with wrongful death attorneys in LA.
• Schedule Free Consultations: Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations. This allows you to discuss your case, gauge their understanding of wrongful death law, and assess their communication style.
• Focus on Communication and Trust: A good attorney will be empathetic to your situation and keep you informed throughout the legal process.
• Consider Contingency Fees: Many wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.

What types of damages are eligible for a Wrongful Death lawsuit in LA?

In Los Angeles, a wrongful death lawsuit can recover two main categories of damages for surviving family members:

1. Economic Damages: These are concrete and measurable financial losses resulting from the death of your loved one. Examples include:
   • Medical Expenses: Any medical bills incurred for your loved one’s care before they passed away.
   • Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity: The financial support your loved one would have provided if they hadn’t died, considering future promotions and raises.
   • Funeral and Burial Expenses: Costs associated with funeral arrangements and burial plots.
   • Loss of Household Services: The value of the services your loved one provided around the house, such as cleaning, cooking, or childcare.
2. Non-Economic Damages: These are intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify but are still recognized by the court. Examples include:
   • Loss of Love, Companionship, and Society: The emotional pain and suffering of losing a loved one’s companionship, guidance, and love.
   • Loss of Consortium: For spouses, the loss of intimacy, affection, and physical relations with their deceased partner.
   • Loss of Parental Guidance: For children, the loss of their parent’s love, guidance, and support.
   • Mental Anguish: The emotional distress and mental suffering caused by the death of a loved one.

What Needs to be Proven in a Wrongful Death Case?

To win a wrongful death case, you’ll need to demonstrate that:

• The death of your loved one occurred.
• The death was caused by the negligence of the defendant (the party being sued).
• The surviving family members have suffered damages due to the death (financial losses and emotional distress).

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