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Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer
Fresno sits at the crossroads of SR-99, 41, and 180, surrounded by packing houses, distribution hubs, dairies, and fast commuter corridors, so when drivers, trucking companies, or property owners cut corners, the consequences are often fatal. A wrongful death is not “just an accident”; it is a preventable loss that leaves families facing funeral costs, lost income, and a lifetime of emotional fallout. Bojat Law Group stands with Fresno families after a deadly crash, workplace incident, or other negligent act, taking over the investigation, insurance negotiations, and litigation strategy so you don’t have to do it alone. For a free, confidential case review, call (818) 877-4878—we’re available 24/7 and can meet by phone, video, or in Fresno by appointment.
Below, we break down how Fresno wrongful death claims work, who can file, deadlines you cannot miss, and how our team builds the strongest possible case for your family’s future.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim is a civil action brought when someone’s life is taken because another person, company, or entity chose speed, profit, or carelessness over safety.
In Fresno and across the Central Valley, wrongful death cases often stem from motor vehicle crashes on SR-99 and city corridors, truck accidents, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, workplace incidents, nursing facility abuse or neglect, unsafe property conditions, medical malpractice, defective products, and drunk or drug-impaired drivers. These claims are brought on behalf of surviving family members to recover losses such as funeral and burial expenses, medical bills tied to the final injury, lost wages and future earnings, loss of financial support, and the non-economic damages tied to grief, emotional pain and suffering, and the loss of a parent, spouse, or child.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 who qualifies for filing a wrongful death lawsuit?
California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 controls who can bring a wrongful death claim. Only specific people or the personal representative acting for them have the legal right to file.
In most Fresno and San Joaquin Valley cases, that includes:
- The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner
- The surviving children of the decedent
- If there are no surviving children: anyone who would inherit under California intestate laws (such as parents or siblings)
- A legally recognized putative spouse, their children, and stepchildren who were dependent on the decedent
- Other dependent minors who lived in the decedent’s household for at least six months before the death
- The personal representative of the estate, filing on behalf of all eligible heirs
If multiple family members qualify, they are generally expected to move forward in one unified wrongful death action not separate competing lawsuits. Sorting out who has standing is the first step, and it’s something our wrongful death lawyers walk families through carefully so no eligible survivor is left out.
Damages you can recover in wrongful death claims
In a California wrongful death claim, compensation is designed to stabilize your family’s future and reflect what was taken. Surviving family members may seek recovery for funeral and burial expenses, final medical expenses tied to the last injury or illness, the loss of the decedent’s financial support and benefits, and the loss of household services they provided every day but were never paid for.
Just as important are non-economic damages: the loss of love, guidance, companionship, comfort, emotional support, and the unique role that person held as a spouse, parent, child, or provider. In many cases, a related survival action can also pursue damages the decedent would have had if they had lived, including medical bills, lost wages between injury and death, and, in qualifying cases, punitive damages when a drunk driver, corporation, or other negligent party’s conduct crosses the line from careless to egregious.
Statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in California
In most California wrongful death cases, the deadline to file is two years from the date of death, under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. There are important exceptions:
- Medical malpractice wrongful death: generally the earlier of
- 1 year from when you knew (or should have known) the death was caused by negligence, or
- 3 years from the date of death.
- Claims involving government entities (dangerous public property, government vehicles, public hospitals, etc.): usually require a government claim within 6 months before a lawsuit can be filed.
Because Fresno-area cases often involve multiple parties — trucking companies, employers, property owners, public agencies — deadlines can overlap and get complicated fast. Speaking with a Fresno wrongful death attorney early helps protect your family from quietly losing your rights on a technicality. Call the Bojat Law Group personal injury lawyers at (818) 877-4878 today for a free, confidential consultation and learn how we can help.
Bojat Law Group handles wrongful death cases from car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, and workplace negligence throughout Fresno
Bojat Law Group represents families in some of the hardest cases Central Valley communities face, including:
- Motor vehicle and truck crashes: fatal collisions on SR-99, 41, 168, and rural roads; semi-trucks, agricultural trucks, delivery fleets, rideshare vehicles, and commercial transport.
- Pedestrian and bicycle fatalities: crosswalk impacts, school-zone incidents, shoulder and rural road strikes, failure to yield, and high-speed corridor crashes.
- Workplace incidents & industrial deaths: construction falls, “Fatal Four” events, equipment failures, toxic exposure, heat stroke, and other preventable incidents where employers or third parties ignored safety rules.
- Premises liability & negligent security: fatal falls, drownings, fires, structural failures (ceilings, balconies, railings), unsafe stairways, and violent acts made possible by inadequate security.
- Defective products & vehicles: unsafe machinery, defective cars, failed safety devices, and drug or product-related deaths.
- Nursing facility abuse or neglect: bed sores, malnutrition, infections, medication errors, and unattended falls leading to wrongful death in nursing homes or care facilities.
Whatever the setting — Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Hanford, Madera, Merced, Selma, Kerman, or any San Joaquin Valley community — our legal team focuses on identifying every negligent party, documenting the full impact on surviving family members, and pursuing maximum compensation under California law.
Why wrongful death attorney team at Bojat Law Group works on contingency fee
After a sudden loss, the last thing your family should worry about is “Can we afford a lawyer?” Bojat Law Group handles wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no hourly fees, no upfront retainers, and no out-of-pocket costs for the work required to prove your case. Our team advances the costs for investigators, accident reconstruction experts, forensic specialists, medical experts, life care planners, economic analysts, and court filings, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. If there is no settlement or verdict, you owe no attorney’s fee. This approach allows families in Fresno and across the Central Valley to stand up to insurance companies, trucking carriers, hospital systems, nursing facilities, and corporate defendants with a fully resourced legal team behind them.
Founding attorney Sasha Bojat has built a reputation for results and relentless advocacy on behalf of families and injury victims throughout California, with recognition from respected platforms such as Super Lawyers, Avvo, and the Better Business Bureau.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a crash, workplace incident, medical event, or any preventable tragedy, you can speak with Bojat Law Group’s wrongful death lawyers in a free, confidential consultation by calling (818) 877-4878.
Frequently Asked Questions
To successfully pursue a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove:
- The death was caused by another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct
- The death resulted in measurable damages to surviving family members
- The deceased would have been able to file a personal injury claim had they survived
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct. To receive punitive damages, the plaintiff must prove:
- The defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud
- Clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s conduct
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means:
- If the deceased was partially at fault, the recovery amount can be reduced proportionally
- The family can still recover damages even if the deceased was up to 99% responsible for the incident
Most wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
- No upfront costs to the family
- Attorney fees are a percentage of the final settlement or court award
- If no recovery is made, the family typically does not owe attorney fees
Common scenarios include:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Defective product incidents
- Criminal acts
- Premises liability
- Construction accidents
- Nursing home neglect or abuse
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“Sasha was absolutely amazing!! Very attentive, very communicative, and would always handle each interaction with white gloves. He worked with the very best to make sure I was taken care of and recovered accordingly. At the end of the day, he exceeded my expectations by a large margin. Thank you, Sasha!!”
Andrew Schmidt
“Bojat Law Group is a group that actually cares about its clients. They helped me with a case I would have lost if I had gone to anyone else. They provided a life changing experience and I will never go to a different law group in regards to personal injury.
They transparent this law group is one of a kind and I couldn’t be more grateful to have found them.”
Dylan Short
“Sasha was wonderful handling my case. Explained everything in detail where we could understand the process. My case was handled smoothly and efficiently. His eased all our worries when it came to getting compensation for my case. Very accommodating! Would recommend him to anyone.”
Bethany Braun
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