California Wrongful Death Lawyers
Over 60 Years Combined Experience
- 500M+ Recovered for Clients
- No Win, No Fee
- Free Consultations Available 24/7
Speak With a Wrongful Death Attorney
We understand this is a difficult time. If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.
There is no obligation, and everything you share is confidential.
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Financial Future Protection
Guidance At Every Step
Answers, Accountability, and Justice
Wrongful Death Case Results
$4.3M
Settlement
Wrongful Death — Motorcycle Collision
$18M
Verdict
Wrongful Death — Pedestrian Collision
$5.5M
Verdict
Wrongful Death — Motor Vehicle Collision
After a Wrongful Death, You’re Facing More Than Just Grief
Financial Pressure
- Funeral and Burial Expenses
- Hospital Bills
- Loss of Financial Support
Legal Uncertainty
- Not Knowing Your Rights
- Hiring the Wrong Lawyer
- Legal Costs
- Stress of Navigating the Legal System
Emotional Stress
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Companionship
- Loss of Parental Guidance
You Don't Have to Fight These Battles Alone
What Sets Us Apart in California Wrongful Death Cases
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our work is focused on helping families who have lost someone in a vehicle-related wrongful death. That focus allows our wrongful death attorneys to handle each case with care, experience, and a thoughtful strategy centered on protecting your family’s rights.
Proven Results in Wrongful Death Cases
- Successful outcomes in complex and high-stakes wrongful death claims
- Millions recovered for surviving spouses, children, and families
- Experience litigating against insurers, corporations, and public entities
- Trial-ready attorneys when fair settlement is refused
Personal, Compassionate Representation
- Direct support by experienced attorneys
- Clear, honest updates throughout the process
- Respect for your family’s grief, privacy, and timeline
- Advocacy that honors your loved one’s life and legacy
No Financial Burden During a Difficult Time
- No upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses
- All case costs advanced by our firm
- You owe nothing unless compensation is recovered
- Contingency representation designed to reduce stress, not add to it
Support When You Need It Most
- Free, confidential consultations
- Available to meet at your home or another convenient location
- English and Spanish-speaking staff
- Guidance through legal, financial, and practical next steps
We understand this is not just a legal matter—it’s a deeply personal loss. Our role is to shoulder the legal burden so your family can focus on healing.
We Serve All of California
Client Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 157 reviews Posted on Lorena ReyesAugust 13, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve seen firsthand how hard the team at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers works for their clients. They’re professional, communicate well, and truly go above and beyond. You can tell they genuinely care and treat their clients like people, not just cases. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a personal injury lawyer.Posted on Mena AdelAugust 9, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best in business very easy to communicate with and the best results in no time , before you know it your case will be closed and you got paid , big shoutout to sherif , hope and emily for their help they the bestPosted on Ana BarillasJuly 15, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional. Communicative, friendly and thorough. Highly recommend.Posted on Jose Manuel MorenoJuly 12, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Me puse en contacto con esta empresa después de estar involucrado en una disputa por daños a la propiedad en South Gate. Andrés me ayudó en el proceso de reclamaciones y pude resolver el problema en cuestión de días. ¡Agradezco esta empresa y volveré si alguna vez lo necesito! Excelente ServicioPosted on Judith MorenoJuly 12, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hello everyone, I just wanted to write how happy I am with this team, especially Andre’s! I contacted this firm after being involved in a Property Damage dispute in South Gate. Having no legal knowledge at first was causing me a lot of uncertainty until I got in contact with this firm. Andres assisted me in the claims process and I was able to resolve the issue in a matter of days!! He was knowledgeable, disciplined, and dependable in his work. I appreciate this firm and will be coming back if I ever need it. 🙌Posted on Daniel ThompsonJune 9, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience from start to finish. They took our case when other firms declined us. All the staff from our case Attorney to all the firms' associates were always professional and so very nice. We were always given best advise but never pressured to proceed in any certain direction. They made us like family!Posted on Patricia EscobarMay 21, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hi, so I have no idea where to begin. Thanks to El Dabe Ritter law office my life has completely changed!!!! My brother previously got into a car accident and his lawyer Hope was able to get him a great settlement and he recommended I call her once I had gotten into a huge accident myself, I was hit on the driver side of my car and sustained an injury to my neck and upper back ! One of the best decisions I have ever made was trusting their law office!!!not only were they able to get me a great settlement, but they gave me more than they initially estimated I would receive !!! so that’s how I know they will fight to give you every last dollar that you deserve!!! The staff of this law office is so insanely kind I spoke with Emelyn As well in the last days Of retrieving my payment and she was beyond lovely and so helpful and truly went above and beyond what I expected!! I’m so grateful to have chosen El Dabe! My lawyer Hope directly took care of me with this case, and there are no words for her kindness and knowledge!!!! if you Got into a bad accident call El Dabe Ritter!!!! You will not regret it!!!!! I am recommending them to everyone I know !!!!!Posted on Bryan MenaMay 14, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After a car accident left me with a painful, persistent neck injury, I turned to El Dabe | Ritter Trial Lawyers. Emelyn S. was fantastic throughout the entire process. She was always there to answer my questions, providing much-needed reassurance, and was particularly skilled at dealing with the tricky parts like health insurance liens. Even when facing a notoriously stingy car insurance company and navigating claims with large health insurance providers, her (and the firm's) professionalism and dedication were key in securing a settlement. This truly made an incredibly challenging situation much more manageable.Posted on Monica RosasApril 22, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excelente servicio y trato de este Despacho de abogados El Dabe Ritter Trail Lawyers, estoy muy agradecida con El Dabe, Kris, Kat, Giovanni, Emelyn y cada una de las personas que trabajaron en mi caso. Me siento muy feliz y satisfecha con el resultado. Muchas gracias!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼Posted on AURELIO CHAVARRIAApril 7, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Its always nerve racking picking a attorney to represent you, its always the what if they take off with the money, what if they not legit, are they gonna take long, will they give you the best out come and most money for what you deserve? Well after looking through Yelp i found el dabe , and i was nervous at first but after going to physical therapy ( dont miss appts , will lower your money lol) and waiting, they maximized my settlement money and was happy with my outcome. Emelyn and andres helped through out my case and made it easy, good communication through out the case. If you have doubts on choosing someone to represent , choose el dabe ritters theyll get you rightVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Wrongful Death Claim Timeline
1. Free Consultation
2. Case Investigation & Strategy
3. Negotiation w/ Insurance Company
4. Compensation
What is the Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
California law gives you two years to file a wrongful death suit.
However, accidents involving government entities have just six months to file.
Government entities include:
- City
- County
- State
- Public transit
Missing the deadline can permanently prevent you from filing a claim in court, no matter how strong the case is. That’s why families are often encouraged to speak with a wrongful death attorney as early as they’re able, even while still grieving.
Common Questions About California Wrongful Death Cases
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Surviving Family Members?
Economic Damages
- Lost future income and financial support
- Lost benefits (health insurance, pension, etc.)
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills from the accident
Non-Economic Damages
- Loss of love, companionship, and emotional support
- Loss of guidance and mentoring (especially for children)
- Loss of consortium (for surviving spouse)
- Loss of training and education
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we win your case. No win, no fee.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is different. We’ll evaluate your losses, such as: medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future damages to determine your case’s value.
Do I have to go to court?
In personal injury, about 96% of the cases settle out of court.
However, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial if needed.
Our trial-ready attorneys do not hand off your case to another unvetted attorney or law firm.
We got your back from start to victory.