{"id":1562,"date":"2026-10-23T05:54:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-138-224-95.nip.io\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/how-families-pay-wrongful-death-case-california\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T08:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T08:13:33","slug":"how-families-pay-wrongful-death-case-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/how-families-pay-wrongful-death-case-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrongful Death Lawyer Bakersfield: How Families Pay Costs"},"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 beside 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-20.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)\">Wrongful Death Lawyer | Bakersfield, CA<\/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)\">Losing a loved one? Understand how a wrongful death case is paid for before you decide anything.<\/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 helps families in Bakersfield and Kern County understand the fee and cost terms in plain language. 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 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\/\">Request your 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 23, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>How do families pay for a wrongful death case in California? Usually through insurance or other responsible parties, such as a driver&#8217;s liability policy or a property owner&#8217;s coverage. This guide explains who may file, what losses families can claim, how fees and case costs work, and which deadlines apply. If you&#8217;re researching this for a loved one, you&#8217;re not alone in the questions you have.<\/p>\n<h2>What a Wrongful Death Claim Is and Who Can Bring One<\/h2>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhelp.courts.ca.gov\/civil-lawsuit\/personal-injury\">wrongful death claim<\/a> is a lawsuit filed after a person dies because of another party&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect, and it may be asserted only by the persons listed in the statute, or by the decedent&#8217;s personal representative on their behalf. Cases often arise from fatal car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, or bus crashes, dog attacks, premises incidents, and catastrophic injuries that lead to death.<\/p>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.60.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.60<\/a>, these people may bring the claim:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner, who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.<\/li>\n<li>If they were dependent on the decedent: the putative spouse, the putative spouse&#8217;s children, stepchildren, and parents, or the legal guardians of the decedent if the parents are deceased.<\/li>\n<li>A minor who lived in the decedent&#8217;s household for the previous 180 days and got at least half their support from the decedent.<\/li>\n<li>A personal representative acting on behalf of these people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A survival claim is different. It belongs to the decedent&#8217;s estate and covers losses the decedent suffered before death. Families often hear both terms, so it helps to know which one applies.<\/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 you&#x27;re researching this for a loved one, you&#x27;re not alone in the questions you have. 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\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a-woman-kneels-by-a-gravestone-in-a-sunlit-cemetery-showing-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A woman kneels by a gravestone in a sunlit cemetery, showing grief.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What a Family Can Recover Under California Law<\/h2>\n<p>Families can recover economic losses and non-economic losses. Economic losses are objectively verifiable money losses. They include medical expenses, burial costs, and loss of earnings, as defined in <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Non-economic losses are subjective and not measured in money. The law lists loss of society and companionship and loss of consortium as examples. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/partners\/317.htm\">CACI civil jury instructions<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>Pain and suffering works differently in a survival claim. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.34.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.34<\/a>, the decedent&#8217;s personal representative generally cannot recover damages for pain, suffering, or disfigurement. The statute makes narrow exceptions for actions granted a preference under Section 36 before January 1, 2022, and for actions filed between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=377.61.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 377.61<\/a>, damages may be awarded that, under all the circumstances, may be just. They may not include survival damages. The court also decides how an award is shared among the people entitled to bring the claim.<\/p>\n<p>Fault matters too.<\/p>\n<p>How much a claim is worth depends on the facts and evidence in that case.<\/p>\n<h2>How Attorney Fees and Case Costs Work<\/h2>\n<p>The firm&#8217;s written fee agreement states the fee and how case costs are handled. Colvin Accident Lawyers offers a free first consultation, which is confidential and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&amp;sectionNum=6147.\">Bus. &amp; Prof. Code \u00a7 6147<\/a>, a contingency fee contract must be in writing, and the client gets a signed duplicate. It must state the contingency fee rate and how costs affect the fee and the client&#8217;s recovery.<\/p>\n<p>Case costs are out-of-pocket expenses. They can include records fees, investigation, accident reconstruction, medical record retrieval, filing fees, and fees for outside reviewers.<\/p>\n<p>Read the fee and cost terms in writing before you decide. Ask questions about any line you don&#8217;t understand.<\/p>\n<h2>Where Settlement and Verdict Money Comes From<\/h2>\n<p>Most settlement money comes from liability insurance, up to the policy limits. The at-fault driver&#8217;s policy, a vehicle owner&#8217;s policy, a trucking company&#8217;s policy, or a property owner&#8217;s policy may pay.<\/p>\n<p>Several parties may be involved, and each may carry its own coverage. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=1431.2.\">Civil Code \u00a7 1431.2<\/a>, each defendant pays its share of non-economic damages in proportion to its fault.<\/p>\n<p>Uninsured motorist coverage may matter. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, the family&#8217;s own policy may apply. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&amp;sectionNum=11580.2.\">Ins. Code \u00a7 11580.2<\/a>, that coverage insures the insured, his or her heirs, or legal representatives for all sums within the limits established by law that they are legally entitled to recover for bodily injury, including death, from the owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle not owned or operated by the insured or a resident of the same household.<\/p>\n<p>Public agencies have a shorter window. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&amp;sectionNum=911.2.\">Gov. Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>, a claim relating to a death must be presented not later than six months after the cause of action accrues. This can apply to a bus operated by a public agency.<\/p>\n<p>The court decides how any award is divided among the people entitled to bring the claim.<\/p>\n<h2>Timeline and What to Expect Step by Step<\/h2>\n<p>A wrongful death case usually moves through five steps, from the first consultation to a lawsuit if one is needed.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Consultation.<\/strong> The family shares the death, the incident, and its questions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence.<\/strong> Preserve police reports, photos, vehicle or device data, witness statements, and medical and autopsy records.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claim.<\/strong> Identify the responsible parties and their insurers, then present the claim.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Negotiation.<\/strong> Insurers respond, and each offer is measured against the damages categories above.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit.<\/strong> A lawsuit is filed when needed. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>, within two years: an action for assault, battery, or injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Timelines vary from case to case. Acting early gives the family more time to gather evidence.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Families Work With Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield, California. Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this site.<\/p>\n<p>Our team includes support staff and attorneys who handle wrongful death matters. We handle car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite, premises liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.<\/p>\n<p>Families in Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi can contact the firm. A wrongful death matter can involve a surviving spouse, children, and parents at once, and each may ask different questions.<\/p>\n<p>Our approach is to put fee terms in writing and explain each step in plain language. We answer family questions directly.<\/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\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a-forensic-investigator-examines-evidence-on-a-city-street-a-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A forensic investigator examines evidence on a city street at night.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Questions Families Ask About Paying for a Wrongful Death Case<\/h2>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do we have to pay anything up front?<\/summary><p>The written fee agreement explains the fee and whether the family owes any costs advanced by the firm.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a family still file if the person who died was <a href=\"https:\/\/static.case.law\/cal-3d\/20\/html\/0725-01.html\">partly at fault<\/a>?<\/summary><p>Yes, in most cases.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does a dog bite claim work differently?<\/summary><p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&amp;sectionNum=3342.\">Civil Code \u00a7 3342<\/a>, a dog owner is liable for damages to a person bitten in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of the dog&#8217;s past behavior, but this does not authorize suits against a governmental agency using a dog in military or police work in the circumstances the statute sets out.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long do families have to file?<\/summary><p>For an action for assault, battery, or injury to or death of an individual caused by another&#8217;s wrongful act or neglect, the deadline is two years under <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&amp;sectionNum=335.1.\">Code Civ. Proc. \u00a7 335.1<\/a>.<\/p><\/details>\n<p>If a loved one died in a crash, an attack, or another incident, the bills, funeral costs, and lost income can add up. Colvin Accident Lawyers can talk through your family&#8217;s options with you. <a href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/a> to start that conversation.<\/p>\n<p>Donald Norman Colvin, 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\">What families can expect from our first conversation<\/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--chat\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A free, confidential first consultation<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We listen to what happened and answer your questions about the process. There is no obligation to continue after the consultation.<\/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\">A written fee agreement<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any fee arrangement is put in writing so you can review it before you decide whether to move forward.<\/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--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clear answers about costs<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain whether the family would owe any costs advanced by the firm, so there are no surprises later.<\/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\">Based in Bakersfield<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Colvin Accident Lawyers is located in Bakersfield and focuses on families across Kern County and nearby communities.<\/p><\/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\">Ask about costs before you sign anything<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you agree to any fee or cost arrangement, ask for the terms in writing and read how costs advanced by the firm are handled. Our team will walk you through the agreement line by line.<\/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\">Ask us about costs<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/contact\/\">Ask us about costs<\/a><\/div><\/div>\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\">Common questions about paying for a wrongful death case<\/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\"><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\"><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do we have to pay anything up front?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your written fee agreement explains the fee and whether the family owes any costs advanced by the firm. We review those terms with you before you decide.<\/p><\/details><\/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\"><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can we still reach out if the person who died was partly at fault?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every situation depends on its facts. Contact us for a free consultation so we can review the circumstances of your loss and explain what applies to your family.<\/p><\/details><\/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\"><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does a dog bite or premises case work differently?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different types of injury and loss have different facts and legal issues. Our team can explain how the fee and cost terms work for your specific matter.<\/p><\/details><\/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\"><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What happens during the consultation?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We ask about what happened, the people involved, and your concerns. You can ask us anything about the process, and the conversation is confidential.<\/p><\/details><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\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\">Get clear answers about how your family&#x27;s case would be paid for<\/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 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 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-claim-process-california\/\">How a Wrongful Death Claim Works in California | Colvin Accident Attorneys<\/a><\/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-claim-process-california\/wrongful-death-claim-city-county-california\/\">Wrongful Death Claims Against a City or County Road Owner<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/death-after-crash-injuries-wrongful-death-california\/\">Death Weeks After a Crash: Claims in California | Colvin Accident Attorneys<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/bus-crash-wrongful-death-claim-california\/\">Bus Crash Wrongful Death Claims in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-bicycle-crash-claim-california\/\">Fatal Bicycle Crash Claims in California<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/wrongful-death-claim-process-california\/fatal-dog-attack-lawsuit-california\/\">Fatal Dog Attack Lawsuits in California<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who can file a California wrongful death claim, what damages the law allows, how fees and case costs work, and the deadlines families must know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":177,"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\/wrongful-death-lawyer-bakersfield\/#service\", \"name\": \"Wrongful Death Claim Representation in California\", \"@type\": [\"Service\", \"FAQPage\"], \"about\": [\"California wrongful death claims\", \"Wrongful death damages under California law\", \"Attorney fees and case costs in wrongful death matters\", \"Statute of limitations for wrongful death in California\", \"Government claim deadlines for wrongful death against public entities\", \"California pure comparative fault\"], \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"PeopleAudience\", \"audienceType\": \"Surviving spouses, children, parents, and other heirs of a person who died in a vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog attack, or premises incident in California\"}, \"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\": \"Kern County, California\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Bakersfield, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Fresno, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Visalia, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Lancaster, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Palmdale, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Delano, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Tehachapi, California\", \"@type\": \"City\"}], \"description\": \"An informational guide to how families pay for a California wrongful death case. It explains who may bring a claim under Code of Civil Procedure 377.60, the economic and non-economic losses recoverable under California law, how attorney fees and case costs are presented under a written fee agreement, where settlement and verdict funds typically come from, and the statute of limitations and government claim deadlines that apply.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful death 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\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Do we have to pay anything up front?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The written fee agreement explains the fee and whether the family owes any costs advanced by the firm.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can a family still file if the person who died was partly at fault?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, in most cases.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Does a dog bite claim work differently?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Under Civil Code \u00a7 3342, a dog owner is liable for damages to a person bitten in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of the dog's past behavior, but this does not authorize suits against a governmental agency using a dog in military or police work in the circumstances the statute sets out.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How long do families have to file?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"For an action for assault, battery, or injury to or death of an individual caused by another's wrongful act or neglect, the deadline is two years under Code Civ. 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