Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney Narbeh Shirvanian discusses wrongful death cases and who can bring them. He notes that he has had the privilege of representing families during some of the most challenging periods of their lives, often following a loved one’s death in a car accident or other wrongful death incident. In such cases, those eligible to bring the claim are typically bloodline family members, recognized as the successors and interests to the decedent’s estate. If the deceased was married, the spouse may initiate the claim on behalf of the family. All potential plaintiffs must be properly named, or, for insurance purposes, waivers and agreements on allocation percentages must be executed.

In wrongful death cases, the focus is not on the decedent’s pain and suffering, though survivor considerations may be relevant. Instead, the inquiry centers on wrongful death damages, which include the loss of love, affection, society, comfort, financial support, guidance, funeral and burial expenses, and other related factors. In California, pain and suffering claims end with the decedent, making the primary evaluation the family’s loss of love and companionship due to the untimely death of their loved one.