Why Families in Redding Trust Reiner & Frankel, LLP, for Their Wrongful Death Case
Redding is home. It is where families spend their weekends at Shasta Lake, walk across the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, and build their lives in the shadow of Mount Shasta. When tragedy strikes in a place this close-knit, you deserve a legal team that understands both the community and the law.
We are that team. Here is what sets us apart:
- Four decades of results. We have successfully represented thousands of clients with catastrophic injuries and wrongful death cases throughout Northern California and beyond.
- Proven results. We have recovered over $600 million for our clients, including the largest single-plaintiff jury verdict in Shasta County history.
- Trial-tested lawyers. We are not a settlement mill. If an insurance company refuses to offer what your family deserves, we take the case to trial. Our willingness to step into a courtroom is one of the reasons our cases resolve favorably.
- Local roots, national-caliber resources. While out-of-town firms may chase cases in Shasta County, they do not know our courts, our judges, or the local professionals whose testimony carries weight with juries here. We do.
- Honest, candid communication. We will tell you the truth about the strength of your case from the very first conversation. That is a promise.
Large law firms from Sacramento and the Bay Area advertise heavily in this region, but they do not have the relationships we have built over 40 years in Northern California. When your family’s future depends on a wrongful death case, local knowledge matters.
Call us today for your free case evaluation.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, a wrongful death claim arises when a person dies because of another party’s wrongful act or negligence. In simple terms, if someone else’s carelessness or intentional misconduct caused your loved one’s death, the law allows certain family members to file a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation.
A wrongful death case is separate from any criminal charges. Even if no one is prosecuted for the death, your family may still have the right to file a civil claim. Civil cases use a lower standard of proof, meaning the evidence required to win is different from what a prosecutor would need in a criminal courtroom.
Common situations that lead to wrongful death claims in the Redding area include:
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Big rig accidents
- Drowning incidents
- Premises liability
- Elder abuse and neglect
- Defective products
Each of these situations shares a common requirement: there must be fault or negligence, a resulting death, and a source of recovery such as insurance or an at-fault party with assets.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Redding?
California law limits who may bring a wrongful death case. Under CCP Section 377.60, the following individuals have standing to file:
- The deceased person’s surviving spouse or registered domestic partner
- The deceased person’s children or grandchildren (if the children are also deceased)
- Anyone who would be entitled to the deceased person’s property under California’s intestate succession laws (the rules that apply when someone passes away without a will)
In some cases, additional people may qualify. Those who were financially dependent on the deceased, such as a putative spouse (someone who believed in good faith they were legally married), stepchildren, or parents, may also have the right to file a wrongful death claim if they can show that dependency.
The law requires that all eligible family members be included in a single wrongful death action, so identifying every potential claimant early in the process is important. Our team works carefully with families to make sure no one’s rights are overlooked.
What Compensation Can Families Recover?
California’s wrongful death statute, CCP Section 377.61, allows courts to award damages that are “just” based on the circumstances of the case. While every situation is unique, compensation in a wrongful death claim generally falls into two categories.
Economic damages address the financial impact of the death on surviving family members:
- Loss of the deceased person’s expected income and financial contributions
- Loss of benefits such as health insurance or pension plans
- The value of household services the deceased would have provided
- Funeral and burial expenses
Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional toll:
- Loss of the deceased person’s love, companionship, comfort, and moral support
- Loss of guidance and nurturing for surviving children
- Loss of the marital relationship and consortium for a surviving spouse
In certain situations, a related legal action called a survival claim may also be filed. A survival claim allows the deceased person’s estate to recover losses the person suffered before death, such as medical bills and, in limited circumstances, punitive damages.
Our attorneys evaluate every angle to make sure your family’s case accounts for every category of loss.
The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in California
In California, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is generally two years from the date of death, as set forth in CCP Section 335.1. If the claim involves a government entity, such as a city vehicle or a public road defect, the timeline is even shorter. Families typically have only six months to file an administrative claim with the government agency before a lawsuit can proceed.
Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your family from seeking compensation, regardless of how strong the case may be. That is why reaching out to a wrongful death attorney in Redding sooner rather than later is so important. The earlier we begin, the better we can preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and build the strongest possible case for your family.
How We Handle Wrongful Death Cases: Our Process
We know that calling a law firm during a time of grief takes courage. We make the process as straightforward and respectful as we can.
- Your first contact with our firm. When you call us, you will speak with someone who listens. We will ask some initial questions about what happened and gather enough information to begin evaluating your situation.
- An attorney contacts you. One of our attorneys will follow up personally to discuss the details of your case. This is not a sales call. It is a conversation between you and a lawyer who wants to understand what your family has been through.
- We provide an initial assessment. After reviewing the facts, we will give you an honest evaluation of whether you have a viable wrongful death claim. We will explain what the law says, what your options are, and what you can realistically expect. If we do not think we can help, we will tell you that directly.
- Investigation and case building. If we take your case, our team goes to work immediately. We gather evidence, consult with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and financial analysts, and build a comprehensive demand package documenting the full scope of your losses.
- We send a demand to the at-fault parties. We present the responsible party and their insurance company with a detailed demand supported by the evidence we have assembled. Many cases resolve at this stage because the other side recognizes the strength of our preparation.
- Litigation and trial, if necessary. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we take the case to court. We are trial lawyers with the resolve and resources to see a wrongful death case through to a jury verdict. Our willingness to go to trial is not a slogan. It is how we practice law, and it is one of the reasons insurance companies take our demands seriously.
Throughout this process, we keep you informed and involved. You will always know where your case stands.
A Commitment to This Community
Our connection to Redding and Shasta County goes well beyond the courtroom. Over the years, we have given back to the community by providing child safety seats, bicycle helmets, life vests, and flotation devices to local families. We live and work here because we care about the people in this region.
When a wrongful death occurs on Shasta Lake, along the Sacramento River, on Interstate 5, or in a local care facility, the families affected are our neighbors. We take that responsibility seriously.
FAQs Answered by Our Redding Wrongful Death Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the questions families in Shasta County commonly ask about wrongful death claims.
How long does a wrongful death case typically take to resolve?
Every case is different. Some wrongful death claims settle within several months once the evidence is assembled and negotiations begin. Cases that go to trial may take a year or longer. The timeline depends on factors like the complexity of the case, the number of parties involved, and whether the other side is willing to negotiate in good faith.
Can I file a wrongful death claim if the person responsible was never charged with a crime?
Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action, which operates independently from the criminal justice system. The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case. Even if prosecutors chose not to file charges, your family may still have a strong civil claim.
What if my loved one was partially at fault for the accident?
California follows a comparative fault rule, meaning that compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the deceased. However, being partially at fault does not automatically disqualify your family from recovering damages. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you understand how comparative fault might apply in your situation.
Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire a wrongful death attorney in Redding?
At Reiner & Frankel, LLP, we handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
Can grandparents or siblings file a wrongful death claim in California?
California’s wrongful death statute is specific about who has standing to sue. Grandparents may file if they would inherit under intestate succession laws, meaning there are no surviving spouse, children, or grandchildren. Siblings generally do not have standing unless they were financially dependent on the deceased and meet specific legal criteria. We can help you determine whether you qualify.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action?
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, such as lost income and companionship. A survival action, by contrast, recovers damages the deceased person suffered before death, such as medical expenses and, in limited circumstances, punitive damages. In many cases, both claims can be filed together.
How is a wrongful death settlement divided among family members?
Under California law, the court determines how the awarded amount is distributed among the eligible claimants. The division considers each person’s relationship with the deceased and the extent of their individual losses. Having experienced legal counsel helps make sure the allocation process is handled fairly.
Let Our Redding Wrongful Death Law Firm Help Your Family Move Forward
No amount of money can replace someone you love. But a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability for your family, hold the responsible party accountable, and bring a measure of justice during an incredibly difficult time.
Reiner & Frankel, LLP offers personalized legal representation tailored to your family’s needs. No two cases are alike, and we treat every family with the individual care and attention their situation deserves. With more than four decades of experience, over $600 million in recoveries, and a deep commitment to Northern California, we have the knowledge, resources, and resolve to take on even the most complex wrongful death cases.
Reiner & Frankel, LLP – Redding Office
2851 Park Marina Dr STE 200
Redding, CA 96001, United States
Phone: (530) 241-0290
