---
title: "Wrongful Death Lawyer | Northern CA | Frank Penney"
source: https://penneylaw.com/wrongful-death
---

> California wrongful death attorneys helping families seek justice after losing a loved one. $1 billion+ recovered. Free consultation.

# Wrongful Death Lawyer

Compassionate Support for Grieving Families

Legal review by [Frank D. Penney](https://penneylaw.com/frank-d-penney/), founding attorney · Last updated October 7, 2026

## Seeking Justice for Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones

Losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence is devastating. The grief, confusion, and financial uncertainty that follow can feel overwhelming. At Frank Penney Injury Law, we understand the profound pain your family is experiencing, and we're here to help you seek the justice your loved one deserves.

With over $1 billion recovered and more than 30 years of experience, our wrongful death attorneys have helped countless families hold negligent parties accountable. We handle every aspect of your case with compassion and dedication, allowing you to focus on grieving and healing.

## What Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

Get an instant, no-obligation estimate of your wrongful death claim value, then call (888) 888-0566 for a free, personalized review.

**Disclaimer:** The estimate provided by this calculator is based on general statistical data and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Case values vary significantly based on individual facts and circumstances. This tool does not create an attorney-client relationship. For a personalized assessment, call us at [(888) 888-0566](tel:8888880566) or [submit a free consultation request](https://penneylaw.com/contact).

Powered by [Case Value Calculator](https://casevalue.law/states/california?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=powered_by)

## Results That Speak for Themselves

Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims across California. A sample of our case results:

$10.5M

Wrongful Death

$4.5M

Motorcycle Accident

$3.4M

Truck Accident

$2.41M

Auto Accident

$1.2M

Pedestrian Accident

Any case results shown represent individual experiences and outcomes. These results are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. Individual results may vary based on the unique circumstances of each case. [See full disclaimer](https://penneylaw.com/disclaimer).

## Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Our experienced attorneys handle all types of wrongful death cases, fighting to hold negligent parties accountable.

### Fatal Car Accidents

Holding reckless and negligent drivers accountable for fatal collisions.

### Workplace Fatalities

Seeking justice when unsafe working conditions cause death.

### Medical Malpractice Deaths

Pursuing claims against healthcare providers whose negligence caused death.

### Product Liability Deaths

Holding manufacturers accountable for defective products that cause fatalities.

### Nursing Home Negligence

Fighting for justice when elder abuse or neglect leads to death.

### Fatal Truck Accidents

Pursuing claims against trucking companies and drivers for deadly crashes.

### Pedestrian Fatalities

Seeking compensation for families who lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents.

### Construction Accidents

Holding contractors and property owners responsible for fatal construction site incidents.

## Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim

California law specifies who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased loved one.

### Eligible Family Members

- **Surviving Spouse or Domestic Partner** The deceased's legal spouse or registered domestic partner has primary standing to file.
- **Children** Both biological and legally adopted children may file a wrongful death claim.
- **Grandchildren** If the deceased's children are also deceased, grandchildren may be eligible.
- **Other Dependents** Those who were financially dependent on the deceased may have grounds to file.

### Compensation You May Recover

- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Loss of future income and benefits
- Loss of companionship and support
- Loss of household services
- Pain and suffering of survivors

## Why Choose Frank Penney Injury Law

When you're grieving the loss of a loved one, you need a law firm with compassion, experience, and dedication to fight for your family.

### Compassionate Approach

We understand the emotional toll of losing a loved one. Our attorneys treat every family with empathy and respect, providing support during this difficult time while aggressively pursuing the justice you deserve.

### Proven Track Record

With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, we have the experience and results to back up our reputation. We've helped countless families receive compensation for their tragic losses.

### No Upfront Costs

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all costs so you can focus on your family without financial worry.

### Thorough Investigation

We conduct comprehensive investigations to establish liability and build the strongest possible case. We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists.

### Maximum Compensation

Insurance companies know we're willing to take cases to trial. This leverage helps us negotiate maximum settlements that truly reflect the value of your loss.

### Local Expertise

With offices and service areas across California, we know the local courts, judges, and procedures. This local knowledge gives our clients a strategic advantage in their cases.

## Why You Need a Wrongful Death Attorney

You're allowed to pursue a wrongful death claim without a lawyer, but families often face well-funded insurance carriers and defense teams whose goal is to minimize payout. An experienced attorney can protect your family from avoidable mistakes and pursue the full value of your loss.

### Preserving Evidence Before It Disappears

Key evidence can vanish fast — surveillance video gets overwritten, vehicles are repaired or destroyed, cell phone records expire, and witnesses become harder to locate. A lawyer can send preservation letters, coordinate inspections, and work with investigators and experts to protect your case.

### Identifying All Responsible Parties

Wrongful death cases are often more complex than they appear. Responsibility may extend beyond the obvious party to include employers, vehicle owners, contractors, property owners, manufacturers, and even government entities. Finding every liable party and every available policy is one of the biggest drivers of recovery.

### Valuing the Claim Completely

Insurance companies may quickly offer a settlement that sounds helpful but fails to account for the long-term financial and household impact of the loss. A wrongful death lawyer will build a damages model supported by income records, benefits documentation, and testimony about the value of lost care and companionship.

### Managing Deadlines and Legal Requirements

Most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of death under California law. Some cases have even shorter deadlines — especially when a government agency may be involved. An attorney can spot these issues early and keep the case compliant.

### Shielding Your Family From Stress

A strong legal team can take over communications, paperwork, negotiation, and litigation tasks so you can focus on your family while knowing the case is being handled professionally and respectfully.

## Would You Need to Go to Trial?

Many wrongful death cases are resolved through settlement, but you should be prepared to go to trial if necessary — because that preparation is often what drives meaningful settlement offers.

Going to trial may be necessary when the defense disputes fault, minimizes the family's losses, or offers a significantly low sum. At Frank Penney Injury Law, we prepare every case as if it's going to trial, which gives us leverage at the negotiating table and ensures we're ready if the case does go to court.

### Important: Survival Actions

In some cases, additional claims may exist alongside wrongful death — for example, a "survival" action tied to harms suffered before death. The availability and scope of those claims can be technical under California law, which is another reason families benefit from experienced counsel.

## California Wrongful Death Law: What You Need to Know

Wrongful death claims have their own rules about who may sue and what can be recovered. Here are the essentials.

### Two-Year Filing Deadline

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, a wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within **two years** of the death. If a government entity is involved, a claim can be due in as little as **six months**.

### Who Can File

California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 limits who may bring a wrongful death claim — typically the surviving **spouse or domestic partner, children, and certain dependents**. A related 'survival action' (§ 377.34) lets the estate pursue the losses the victim suffered before death.

### Damages Available

Families can recover economic damages (lost financial support, funeral and burial costs) and non-economic damages (loss of love, companionship, and guidance). California's **pure comparative negligence** rule applies to reduce, not bar, recovery.

Have questions about a loss in your family? Read the latest [California accident news](https://penneylaw.com/accident-news) or explore our [injury law blog](https://penneylaw.com/blog), and see how we can help. We serve families in [Sacramento](https://penneylaw.com/sacramento), [Roseville](https://penneylaw.com/roseville), [Oakland](https://penneylaw.com/oakland), and across Northern California.

## Wrongful Death FAQs

### Who can file a wrongful death claim in California?

California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 limits who may sue, typically the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and certain financial dependents. If there is no surviving family in those categories, others who would inherit may be eligible.

### How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in California?

You generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney quickly.

### What damages can my family recover in a wrongful death case?

Families can recover economic damages such as lost financial support and funeral and burial expenses, and non-economic damages such as the loss of the deceased's love, companionship, and guidance. A separate survival action may recover losses the victim suffered before death.

### How much does it cost to hire Frank Penney Injury Law for a wrongful death case?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.

## What Our Clients Say

Real five-star reviews from clients on our Google Business Profile.

> Was involved in a car accident not my fault and I called Penney and they got me in right away. Josh my lawyer at Frank Penney fought hard for me. They were able to get me 5 times the settlement originally offered by State Farm. Couldn't be happier.

> I was assigned to Mark McCauley and have been impressed with his work-ethic and caring demeanor since our very first meeting. Over the last 18 months, I have had extensive treatment all because Mark was willing to push even when my insurance company resisted. I will continue to recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to anyone that is in need of an exemplary attorney.

> If you have been in an auto accident, seek out Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. They are the best at what they do. A very special thanks to Joshua Boyce — my guiding star, the man in my corner, and an incredible and caring human being.

> My case was a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle and car — I broke my femur. In the end, the opposing party was negligent and I won the case and earned the maximum settlement offered by the opposing insurance company. Stop looking around and choose Frank Penney Injury Lawyers.

> I feel so blessed to have had Frank Penney Injury Lawyers represent me after I was injured in an auto accident. I was a victim of a hit and run and I am so thankful I found them to help. My attorney, Mark, was so responsive and made sure I received updates on my claim.

> From the very beginning, the team was professional, compassionate, and always made me feel like a priority. Frank and his staff truly cared about my recovery and worked hard to make sure I received a fair settlement. I'm so grateful for their dedication and highly recommend them to anyone in need of a reliable and trustworthy personal injury lawyer!

> Working with Frank Penney as my personal injury attorney has been an amazing experience. He's dedicated and fights hard for his clients. I would highly recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and his team to anyone needing a trustworthy and powerful firm.

> Mark McCauley was just astounding. He fought hard for me and my settlement was more than I thought possible. If you are looking for a personal injury attorney, make them your first call.

> I can't say enough about Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and all the hard work they put into winning my case. I am very impressed on how they got such a great settlement for me and my daughter. They will be my personal injury lawyer for life.

> Frank Penney and his team seriously came through for me. I got rear ended on the freeway, and had no idea what to do next. They handled everything — paperwork, calls, negotiations — and when the settlement hit, I was astonished.

> While stopped at a red light, a very high speed motorcycle went into the back of my car, completely totaling my vehicle and creating significant injuries for me. From the very first call to Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, I felt sympathy, compassion and a desire to help me. I could not have asked for a better legal team in my corner.

> After I was injured in a substantial rear-end collision, the other insurance company fought hard to avoid accepting responsibility — but James and Priscilla fought both harder and smarter on my behalf. I was shocked when my case ultimately went all the way to trial, but James delivered a solid victory — a victory that not only met but exceeded our last demand.

> Joshua, at Frank Penny Injury Lawyers, handled my very complex injury case as if I was part of their family. His dedication and thoroughness resulted in a settlement that will help me overcome the injuries and complications I had suffered. Thanks again, Frank Penney and Staff.

> I was in a car accident and rear ended. My chiropractor actually referred me to Frank Penney! They lined me up with the medical help I needed and negotiated a great settlement for me in a timely manner. Highly recommended.

> Me and my husband got into a car accident back in October 2020. We went with Frank Penny Injury Lawyers because they're only the best around! We closed our case without having to go to court. Thank you Frank Penny Injury Lawyers — we were very pleased!

Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of past clients and are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. [See full disclaimer](https://penneylaw.com/disclaimer).

## Contact Frank Penney Injury Lawyers Today

If you believe your loved one's death was caused by negligence or misconduct, you don't have to carry the legal burden alone. During a free consultation, our team can help you understand:

Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win

Over $1 Billion Recovered | 30+ Years of Experience

## Related Practice Areas

### Car Accidents

### Truck Accidents

### Motorcycle Accidents

### Slip and Fall

### All Practice Areas