{"id":6274,"date":"2026-11-05T01:45:33","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T01:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/child-wrongful-death-lawyer-california\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T08:47:40","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T08:47:40","slug":"child-wrongful-death-lawyer-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/child-wrongful-death-lawyer-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Wrongful Death Lawyer California | Colvin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/span>\"An
\n

Child Wrongful Death | Bakersfield, California<\/p>

When a child dies, your family deserves clear answers and steady support<\/h1>

Colvin Accident Lawyers represents families in child wrongful death cases arising from car, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite and premises accidents. Your first consultation is free, confidential and comes with no obligation to continue.<\/p>

Request your free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Request your free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published November 4, 2026<\/p>\n\n

\n\n\n

Can a parent bring a wrongful death claim after a child dies in a crash? In certain cases, yes. California law sets out who may sue for a death caused by another person’s wrongful act or neglect, and parents can be on that list. Colvin Accident Lawyers is a child wrongful death lawyer<\/a> California families can reach from its base in Bakersfield. We represent families after car, truck, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes involving children. This page explains who may file, what a claim can include, and what to expect next.<\/p>\n

Who Can Bring a Child Wrongful Death Claim in California?<\/h2>\n

Parents can bring this claim in some situations, depending on the facts. Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 377.60<\/a> names who may assert a claim for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect. The first group includes a decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children. If there’s no surviving issue, the people who would inherit the decedent’s property may sue.<\/p>\n

Certain others can sue even outside that first group, if they were dependent on the decedent: the putative spouse, children of the putative spouse, stepchildren, parents, or the legal guardians of the decedent if the parents are deceased. The statute lists the putative spouse, children of the putative spouse, stepchildren, parents, and, when parents have died, legal guardians. A minor can also sue in some cases. The minor must have lived in the decedent’s household for the previous 180 days and depended on the decedent for one-half or more of the minor’s support.<\/p>\n

Time limits matter. The California Courts Self Help Guide<\/a> notes that personal-injury suits generally must be filed within two years of the injury. For a death caused by another’s wrongful act, the two-year period appears in Code of Civil Procedure \u00a7 335.1<\/a>. If a public entity such as a city or county may be responsible, a claim must be presented within six months under Government Code \u00a7 911.2<\/a>. An early call helps you sort out which deadlines apply.<\/p>\n\n

\n

If a crash took your child, you don't have to face the deadlines and paperwork alone. Colvin Accident Lawyers can help you talk through your options. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Gloved<\/figure>\n

Crashes Involving Children We Handle<\/h2>\n

We handle child wrongful death claims from car, truck, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes. Each type raises its own questions about who may be responsible.<\/p>\n