{"id":1528,"date":"2026-10-23T03:34:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T03:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-138-224-95.nip.io\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-premises-liability-california\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T08:20:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:20:50","slug":"wrongful-death-premises-liability-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-premises-liability-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatal Fall Premises Liability Wrongful Death California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark chg-hero\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-70 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(32,36,46,1) 0%,rgba(32,36,46,1) 55%,rgba(32,36,46,0.7) 100%)\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"An investigator in a high-visibility vest places a numbered marker by a guardrail on a closed two-lane road at dawn.\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-investigator-in-a-high-visibility-vest-places-a-numbered-photo-16.jpg\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Premises Liability &amp; Wrongful Death | Bakersfield, California<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\" style=\"text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">When a Fatal Fall Happens on Someone Else&#x27;s Property, Your Family Deserves Answers<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Colvin Accident Lawyers represents families in Bakersfield and across Kern County after a deadly fall. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Request a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Request a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published October 22, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>A fatal fall on someone else&#8217;s property can lead to a California wrongful death claim when a dangerous condition caused the fall and the property owner or occupier was responsible for it. The claim belongs to eligible family members and the estate, not to the person who died. This guide explains what a family must be able to show, who may file, what damages may be sought, and which deadlines matter most. If you&#8217;re researching a fatal fall premises liability wrongful death California case for a loved one, you don&#8217;t need every answer yet.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Wrongful Death Claim From a Fatal Fall Is<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit brought because a person died from another party&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect. When the death follows a fall on property someone owns or controls, the case is often called premises liability.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/partners\/317.htm\">Judicial Council civil jury instructions<\/a> cover premises liability, negligence, comparative fault, and damages. These instructions show juries the standards used in cases like this.<\/p>\n<p>Common fatal fall settings include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Retail stores and grocery aisles<\/li>\n<li>Apartment complexes and shared stairways<\/li>\n<li>Parking lots and parking structures<\/li>\n<li>Workplaces and construction sites<\/li>\n<li>Private homes, including porches and balconies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A wrongful death claim differs from a personal injury claim in one important way. Eligible family members bring it because their loved one died. If the person suffered injuries before death, the estate may pursue those losses in a separate survival claim. Both claims can arise from the same fall.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a fall took someone you love, you may have a claim worth discussing, and our team is ready to listen whenever you are. Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Who Can File and What Damages May Be Sought<\/h2>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, a surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children may bring a wrongful death claim. If there is no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the decedent&#8217;s property through intestate succession may bring it. A personal representative may also file on the heirs&#8217; behalf.<\/p>\n<p>Dependent family members may qualify too. That can include a putative spouse (a person who believed in good faith the marriage was valid), stepchildren, parents, or a legal guardian if the parents have died. A minor who, at the time of the decedent&#8217;s death, had lived in the decedent&#8217;s household for the previous 180 days, and was dependent on the decedent for one-half or more of the minor&#8217;s support, may also qualify.<\/p>\n<p>In a wrongful death action, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a> distinguishes between &#8220;economic damages,&#8221; meaning objectively verifiable monetary losses, and &#8220;non-economic damages,&#8221; meaning subjective, non-monetary losses, as set out in <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>. Economic losses are objectively verifiable money losses, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, and burial costs. Non-economic losses are subjective, such as loss of companionship and emotional distress. The amount depends on who the heirs are, the decedent&#8217;s earnings and role in the home, and the evidence available.<\/p>\n<p>The survival claim is narrower. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.34.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.34<\/a>, recoverable damages are generally limited to losses the decedent suffered before death. Pain, suffering, and disfigurement are generally excluded, subject to the exceptions the statute lists. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.30.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.30<\/a>, the claim passes to the decedent&#8217;s successor in interest.<\/p>\n<h2>What Must Be Shown in a Fatal Fall Claim<\/h2>\n<p>Dangerous conditions often include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A wet or uneven floor with no warning sign<\/li>\n<li>Broken or missing handrails<\/li>\n<li>Poor lighting on stairs<\/li>\n<li>Unsecured railings or balconies<\/li>\n<li>Hazards left unrepaired after someone reported them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Evidence of notice can include prior complaints, inspection logs, maintenance records, surveillance video, and incident reports. Causation evidence can include medical records, coroner or autopsy findings, and a reconstruction of the fall.<\/p>\n<p>Fault works differently than many families expect. When more than one defendant is at fault, <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a> provides that each defendant&#8217;s liability for non-economic damages is several only and not joint, so each defendant is liable only for the amount of non-economic damages allocated to it in direct proportion to its percentage of fault.<\/p>\n<h2>How the Process Works From First Call to Resolution<\/h2>\n<p>The process usually moves from a first consultation to evidence gathering, a claim to the responsible party&#8217;s insurer, and a lawsuit if a fair resolution isn&#8217;t reached. Each step builds on the one before.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>First consultation.<\/strong> You share the basic facts, your relationship to the person who died, and any documents you already have.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence requests.<\/strong> Requests go out for incident reports, video, maintenance and inspection records, and the property&#8217;s own paperwork about the hazard. Acting early helps keep key records in view.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Records and witnesses.<\/strong> Medical, coroner, police, or fire records are gathered. Witness contact details and photos of the location are collected too.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demand and negotiation.<\/strong> A written demand goes to the responsible party and its insurer, followed by negotiation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit if needed.<\/strong> If the matter isn&#8217;t resolved, a lawsuit may be filed. It then moves through discovery and pretrial steps toward trial or settlement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Timelines vary with how complex the investigation is, what insurance is involved, and court schedules. Families should expect months, and often longer, rather than days.<\/p>\n<h2>Filing Deadlines and Claims Against Public Property Owners<\/h2>\n<p>A California wrongful death action generally must be brought within two years, under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 335.1<\/a>. Claims against a public entity start sooner. Public property can include a county building, a city park, or a transit facility. For a death claim against a public entity, a written government claim generally must be presented within six months, under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A lawsuit against a public entity generally cannot proceed until the claim has been presented and acted on, or deemed rejected. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=945.4.\">Government Code \u00a7 945.4<\/a> sets out that rule.<\/p>\n<p>These deadlines run from specific dates. Raising timing questions early gives the family more room to act. Waiting until every record arrives can cut into the time available.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Families Work With Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury law firm based in Bakersfield, California. Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page. The firm handles car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, train, dog bite, premises liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.<\/p>\n<p>Our team supports families through each stage of a fatal fall claim, from records requests to negotiation and, when needed, litigation. Families in Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi can contact the firm about their situation.<\/p>\n<p>The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Fall Wrongful Death Claims<\/h2>\n<h3>Can a family still sue if their loved one was partly at fault?<\/h3><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is a police report required?<\/summary><p>A police or fire report can help. A claim can also rest on witness accounts, photos, and the property&#8217;s own records.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What if the owner says the floor was just cleaned?<\/summary><p>A recent cleaning, or the lack of warning signs, is a fact to investigate. Video, maintenance logs, and witnesses can show what happened.<\/p><\/details><h3>Is a wrongful death claim a criminal case?<\/h3><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Who can file if there is no surviving spouse or children?<\/summary><p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, the decedent&#8217;s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children may file, or the decedent&#8217;s personal representative may file on their behalf; if there is no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the decedent&#8217;s property by intestate succession may file; and some dependent relatives may qualify as well.<\/p><\/details><h2>Talk With Colvin Accident Lawyers About Your Family&#8217;s Situation<\/h2>\n<p>If your loved one died after a fall on someone else&#8217;s property, you may be dealing with grief, hospital or coroner paperwork, and hard questions about how it happened. You don&#8217;t need every answer before you reach out. If you want to talk through the fall, the location, and the deadlines that may apply, contact Colvin Accident Lawyers today through the <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">contact page<\/a> or by phone.<\/p>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California &#8212; responsible for this site.<\/p>\n\n<\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Please consult a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How We Help Families After a Fatal Fall<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--phone\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free, Confidential First Consultation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call or contact us to talk through what happened. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Investigation of the Property<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We look into the condition that led to the fall, including maintenance records, inspection logs, and any warnings that were or were not posted.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--users\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support for Grieving Families<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We understand that a wrongful death case is about a loss first. We keep communication clear so your family can focus on what matters most.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Serving Kern County and Nearby Communities<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our office is in Bakersfield, and we represent families from Kern County and surrounding areas, including Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Evidence That Can Matter After a Fall<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Police and Fire Reports<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A police or fire report can help document the scene and the response. A claim can also rest on other evidence, so these reports are one piece of the picture.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Photos and Video<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Images of the surface, lighting, railings, or stairs can show conditions at the time. Surveillance video, when it exists, can be especially important.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Witness Accounts<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People who saw the fall or the condition beforehand can describe what they observed. Their statements can be recorded while memories are fresh.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Be Careful Before Speaking With the Property Owner&#x27;s Insurer<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An insurance adjuster may contact your family soon after a fatal fall. Before giving a recorded statement or signing anything, consider speaking with a lawyer. Talking with us first costs nothing and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Speak With Us Before You Sign<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Speak With Us Before You Sign<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--primary,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Speak With Donald Norman Colvin About Your Family&#x27;s Situation<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+16616161177\">Call Colvin Accident Lawyers or Request Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Call Colvin Accident Lawyers or Request Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/\">Wrongful Death Claims in Bakersfield and Kern County: A Family&#8217;s Guide to Filing<\/a><\/li><li>Fatal Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Claim Kern County<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- chg:section-siblings -->\n<nav aria-label=\"More in this section\">\n<h2>More in this section<\/h2>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-lawyer-lancaster-palmdale\/\">Wrongful Death Lawyer for Families in Lancaster and Palmdale<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-bicycle-crash-kern-county\/\">Fatal Bicycle Crash Wrongful Death Claims in Kern County<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-fresno-visalia\/\">Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Crashes in Fresno and Visalia<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fatal fall on someone else&#8217;s property? Learn who can file a California wrongful death claim, what damages may apply, and the deadlines that matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":355,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/fatal-fall-premises-liability-wrongful-death-california\/#service\", \"name\": \"Fatal Fall Premises Liability Wrongful Death Claims in California\", \"@type\": [\"Service\", \"FAQPage\"], \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"abstract\": \"How a fatal fall on someone else's property may support a California wrongful death claim: eligibility to file, damages, deadlines, and the claim process.\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"PeopleAudience\", \"audienceType\": \"Surviving spouses, children, parents, heirs, and personal representatives of a person who died after a fall on another's property\"}, \"keywords\": [\"fatal fall premises liability wrongful death California\", \"wrongful death slip and fall California\", \"property owner negligence wrongful death California\", \"wrongful death statute of limitations California\", \"who can file wrongful death claim California\", \"wrongful death premises liability Kern County\"], \"provider\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"areaServed\": [{\"name\": \"Bakersfield\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Kern County\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Fresno\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Visalia\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Lancaster\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Palmdale\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Delano\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Tehachapi\", \"@type\": \"City\"}], \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is a police report required?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A police or fire report can help. A claim can also rest on witness accounts, photos, and the property's own records.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What if the owner says the floor was just cleaned?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A recent cleaning, or the lack of warning signs, is a fact to investigate. Video, maintenance logs, and witnesses can show what happened.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Who can file if there is no surviving spouse or children?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Under Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60, the decedent's surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children may file, or the decedent's personal representative may file on their behalf; if there is no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the decedent's property by intestate succession may file; and some dependent relatives may qualify as well.\"}}], \"description\": \"Informational guide explaining how a fatal fall on another person's property can support a California wrongful death claim against a property owner or occupier. Covers what a family must be able to show (duty, dangerous condition, breach and notice, causation), who may bring the claim under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, categories of recoverable damages including survival claims, key filing deadlines including the two-year statute of limitations and the six-month government claim requirement for public entities, and the general steps from first consultation through resolution.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful death and premises liability legal services\", \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Donald Norman Colvin\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/donald-colvin-esq-bakersfield-personal-injury-attorney\", \"jobTitle\": \"Bakersfield Personal Injury Attorney\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/bakersfield.kernhigh.org\", \"https:\/\/www.calstate.edu\", \"https:\/\/www.wsulaw.edu\", \"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/nZfBxYtQQifX3osw5\"]}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"Colvin Accident Lawyers\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/\"}, \"reviewedBy\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Regina Absher\", \"jobTitle\": \"Personal Injury Paralegal\"}, \"inLanguage\": \"en\"}, {\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Wrongful Death Claims Bakersfield Kern County\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Fatal Fall Premises Liability Wrongful Death California\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claims-bakersfield-kern-county\/wrongful-death-premises-liability-california\/\"}]}]","chg_meta_description":"Fatal fall on someone else's property? Learn who can file a California wrongful death claim, what damages may apply, and the deadlines that matter.","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1528","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1528"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1528\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1664,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1528\/revisions\/1664"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}