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What if the person who caused a wrongful death in El Segundo had no insurance?
If the driver who caused a wrongful death in El Segundo had no insurance, your own auto insurance policy may offer protection. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can provide financial recovery when the at-fault party lacks liability insurance. This coverage applies up to the limits of your own policy.
The purpose of UM coverage is to step in when the other driver cannot pay for the damages they caused. This can include economic losses like funeral expenses and lost financial support, as well as non-economic damages for the loss of companionship. It is an important part of a wrongful death claim when the at-fault driver is uninsured.
Where do you file a wrongful death claim in El Segundo?
You generally file a wrongful death claim for an incident in El Segundo in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 2.3, a personal injury case arising from an incident in El Segundo is filed in the Southwest District and assigned to the Torrance Courthouse. The Torrance Courthouse is located at 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503. The specific department is the Personal Injury Hub for that district, following a General Order effective May 17, 2024.
What steps should you take after a wrongful death in El Segundo?
After a wrongful death in El Segundo, you have several concrete steps to consider:
Gather documentation. Collect any police reports, medical records, death certificates, and insurance policy information. This documentation provides a factual basis for your claim.
Preserve evidence. If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, or any conditions that contributed to the death. Witness contact information is also valuable.
Keep detailed records of expenses. Track all costs related to the death, including funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, and any loss of income or support the family relied on.
Consult a lawyer promptly. A lawyer can explain your rights and the specific deadlines that apply to your situation, including the crucial six-month deadline for claims against public entities under California Government Code § 911.2.
Limit communication with insurers. Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters. Do not provide recorded statements or sign any documents without first speaking with your own attorney.
How long do you have to file a wrongful death claim, and what can you recover?
You typically have two years to file a wrongful death claim in California, according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. However, if the death was caused by a city, county, or other public agency in El Segundo, you must present a written claim within six months from the date of death under California Government Code § 911.2. Failing to meet this shorter deadline can prevent you from filing a lawsuit. If the person who passed away was a minor, the general two-year deadline is paused during their minority under California Code of Civil Procedure § 352, but this pause does not apply to the six-month deadline for claims against public entities.
California law allows recovery for several types of damages in wrongful death claims. These include economic losses, such as lost financial support, lost household services, funeral and burial expenses, and the value of lost gifts or benefits. Non-economic damages, like the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, training, and guidance, are also recoverable. For wrongful death claims filed on or after January 1, 2026, the pain and suffering the decedent experienced before death is not recoverable in survival actions, as stated in California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34.
What kinds of wrongful death cases does Casa Legal Los Angeles handle in El Segundo?
Casa Legal Los Angeles helps families in El Segundo who have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing. We handle various types of wrongful death cases, including those resulting from fatal car accidents, truck accidents, or motorcycle collisions. For example, if a family member died in a commercial truck collision on Sepulveda Boulevard, we pursue accountability for that loss. Our firm also assists with wrongful death claims arising from premises liability incidents, such as dangerous property conditions, or pedestrian accidents where negligence led to a fatality. While we are personal injury and employment law attorneys generally, our practice involves a significant focus on wrongful death claims, helping families in El Segundo find answers and pursue compensation. Families across Los Angeles County, including in Anaheim, Cerritos, and Downey, turn to us for help after such tragedies.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means you have a team dedicated to your family's wrongful death claim in El Segundo. We begin by listening to your story and thoroughly investigating the circumstances of your loved one's death. This includes collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts like accident reconstructionists or economists. We handle all communications with insurance companies, ensuring your rights are protected and you do not accidentally jeopardize your claim. We prepare all necessary legal documents and pursue negotiations for a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court. For instance, in an El Segundo truck accident case, this involves working with experts to establish liability and calculate damages. Our goal is to alleviate the legal burden from you so you can focus on healing. For more on our approach to personal injury, you can visit our main personal injury law page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action in California?
A wrongful death claim in California seeks to compensate the surviving family members for their own losses resulting from the death, such as lost financial support and companionship. A survival action, however, is brought by the estate of the deceased person and seeks to recover damages the deceased person suffered before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. For claims filed on or after January 1, 2026, California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34 does not allow recovery of the deceased person's pain, suffering, or disfigurement in survival actions.
Can I still file a wrongful death claim if my loved one was partially at fault?
You can still file a wrongful death claim even if your loved one was partially at fault for the incident that led to their death. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning the compensation awarded can be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the deceased person. For example, if the court determines the deceased was 20% at fault, the total damages awarded would be reduced by 20%.
How do public entity claims affect a wrongful death case in El Segundo?
If a public entity, such as the City of El Segundo, Los Angeles County, or a state agency, is responsible for your loved one's wrongful death, you must first file a formal administrative claim with that entity. This claim must be presented within six months of the death, as stipulated by California Government Code § 911.2. Only after the public entity responds (or fails to respond within 45 days) can a lawsuit be filed. This process is distinct from the typical two-year deadline for claims against private parties.
What if the deceased person was a minor?
If the deceased person was a minor, the core legal principles of a wrongful death claim remain the same. The parents or legal guardians can pursue compensation for economic and non-economic losses. However, the specific types of damages for children, such as lost future earnings, can be more complex to calculate than for an adult with an established career.
If your family has experienced a wrongful death in El Segundo, speak with us. Call Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529 for a confidential discussion about your legal options. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving El Segundo
Our attorneys represent clients throughout El Segundo and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a El Segundo claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in El Segundo is filed in Torrance Courthouse, Southwest District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in El Segundo
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in El Segundo (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).