San Diego Wrongful Death Attorney

Can a San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyer Help You?

The wrongful death of a loved one brings difficult decisions no family should have to make. Who should answer for what happened? What legal steps can be taken? How will the financial impact be managed?

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire helps those who have lost loved ones in San Diego understand their options when negligence leads to a loss. A wrongful death claim may provide compensation for expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income. More than that, it ensures the at-fault party is held to account.

Our attorneys have experience handling cases involving vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, and other situations where preventable mistakes led to tragedy. Every case is different, and we take the time to understand the details so we can provide the best legal guidance.

If you are considering a San Diego wrongful death lawsuit, we are available to discuss your case. Call (619) 489-8680 or contact us online for a free consultation.

“Vince Bartolotta is an excellent attorney who really goes above and beyond for his client, I’d trust him with anything, do not hesitate to call him.“

—D.R., San Diego, CA | Client

What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligence or misconduct leads to another person’s passing. This can include:

• A hospital’s failure to diagnose a life-threatening condition,
• A distracted or impaired driver causing a fatal crash,
• An employer ignoring safety rules at a construction site, or
• A manufacturer selling a defective product that leads to fatal injuries.

Certain situations are straightforward—such as when a driver runs a red light and causes a deadly accident. More complex matters require a thorough review to establish fault, especially in medical malpractice or workplace incidents. That’s where experienced attorneys step in, ensuring that evidence is gathered, witnesses are interviewed, and the right parties answer for their actions.

California law limits the time you have to file a wrongful death claim, which means waiting too long can impact your ability to seek justice. If you have questions about whether your situation qualifies, we’re ready to help.

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in San Diego

Some accidents are unavoidable, but others happen because someone cuts corners, ignores safety rules, or fails to take responsibility. When that leads to tragedy, families deserve a legal team that holds those at fault accountable.

For decades, our firm has helped local families in wrongful death cases involving:

• Traffic collisions—fatal wrecks involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians caused by reckless or impaired drivers.
• Medical malpractice—loss of life due to misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors, or failures in care at pharmacies, clinics, or military hospitals.
• Workplace hazards—safety violations at construction sites, warehouses, and other workplaces that resulted in preventable deaths.
• Defective products—faulty vehicles, medical devices, prescription drugs, and household products that led to fatal injuries.
• Unsafe property conditions—accidents in stores, apartment buildings, and public spaces caused by hazardous conditions.
• Elder neglect and abuse—fatal injuries caused by mistreatment or lack of supervision in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Boating and aviation accidents—incidents involving operator negligence, mechanical failure, or unsafe conditions on boats and aircraft.
• Wildfires and floods—cases where preventable deaths occurred due to poor safety measures or delayed emergency response.

Wrongful death cases are about more than legal claims—they bring attention to negligence that should have never been ignored. Families come to Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire because they want the truth and a law firm that will fight for it.

What Compensation Can a San Diego Wrongful Death Attorney Help You Pursue?

When someone else’s negligence takes a life, families are left with more than grief. Funeral costs, medical bills, and lost income create hardship in an already difficult time.

Families may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses related to treatment before passing,
• Funeral and burial costs,
• Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned,
• Loss of companionship and emotional distress, and
• Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence.

Filing a wrongful death claim is about ensuring that the party at fault—not the family—takes financial responsibility for the harm caused. Whether the liable party is a hospital, a business, a trucking company, or another entity, the legal process exists to ensure accountability.

Studies show that working with a San Diego wrongful death lawyer can improve the chances of securing full compensation for losses such as funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.

Some decisions are too important to put off. If someone else’s negligence led to your loved one’s passing, you have the right to seek justice. You don’t have to know every detail right now—that’s our job. What matters is making sure you take action while there’s still time.

Call a San Diego wrongful death lawyer at (619) 489-8680 or contact us through our website for a free case review.

Verdicts and Settlements in San Diego Wrongful Death Cases

Families who lose a loved one due to negligence often face unexpected expenses, uncertainty about their legal rights, and the need for legal action. While no case can undo a loss, a fair settlement or verdict provides financial stability and ensures those at fault take responsibility.

Our firm has fought for families throughout San Diego County, securing results in wrongful death cases involving medical malpractice, vehicle crashes, and elder abuse. Some of our case results include:

• $5.99 million jury verdict. A misread biopsy slide delayed a cancer diagnosis. By the time the mistake was found, treatment was no longer possible. Our attorneys proved the medical provider’s failure led to a preventable loss.
• $2.5 million settlement. A commercial truck rear-ended a vehicle, causing it to catch fire. The driver was trapped and did not survive. The trucking company was held responsible for the unsafe conditions that led to the crash.
• $465,000 settlement. An elder abuse case involving an 84-year-old who fell from a wheelchair after being left unattended. The nursing home was forced to take responsibility for its negligence.

These cases are about demanding change from hospitals, corporations, and insurance companies. When wrongful actions result in a preventable death, legal action ensures there are consequences.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

California law lays out specific rules about who can bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, the people who have the first right to file include:

• A spouse,
• Children, or
• A registered domestic partner.

When none of these family members step forward, others may have the right to file. This can include:

• Parents,
• Siblings,
• Stepchildren or alleged spouses who depended on the deceased for financial support, or
• Minors who relied on the deceased for at least half of their financial needs.

California’s wrongful death laws follow succession rules, meaning the right to file a claim generally goes to those who would inherit from the person’s estate. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, speak with a wrongful death lawyer in San Diego about your legal rights.

“When someone walks into our office after losing a loved one, we don’t start by talking about lawsuits or settlements. We ask about the person they lost—who they were, what they meant to their family, what’s been taken from them. Because that’s what this is really about.

Families come to us because something preventable happened, and now their world looks different. Whether it was a reckless driver on the 5, a mistake at a San Diego hospital, or an unsafe job site, they want accountability. They want answers. Our role is to make sure they get both.”

—Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. | Founding Partner at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire

What Our San Diego Wrongful Death Lawyers Do for You

A wrongful death affects families in ways that go beyond the legal claim. Medical bills, funeral expenses, and the sudden loss of income create immediate concerns, while unanswered questions about what went wrong add to the emotional toll.

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we take on the legal work so families can focus on their personal needs. Every case is different, but here’s how we help:

• Investigating what led to the loss. Whether it was a high-speed crash on the 805, a preventable medical mistake, or an accident on the job in Mission Bay, we gather records, talk to witnesses, and bring in experts to get the facts.
• Assessing financial impact. We calculate lost wages, outstanding medical expenses, funeral costs, and how the loss affects a family’s future.
• Negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance providers try to settle cases quickly and for as little as possible. We step in to make sure families aren’t pressured into accepting less than they should.
• Taking the case to court when needed. If the other side refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to present the case to a  judge and jury. Our attorneys have handled cases across San Diego County and know what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable.

These cases take time, and families should always know what to expect. We work to keep clients informed so they never feel lost in the legal system.

Why Choose Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire?

Losing a loved one because of someone else’s actions is painful, and there’s no way to undo that loss. But holding the responsible party accountable can bring closure to your family.

For over 40 years, our San Diego wrongful death law firm has stood beside those seeking justice, from Chula Vista to La Jolla, who are facing some of the hardest times in their lives. Wrongful death cases require a legal team with the experience and resources to stand up to insurance companies, hospitals, corporations, and other liable parties. We know the courts and judges, and what it takes to fight for fair compensation under California law.

If you’re looking for lawyers who will take your case seriously and put in the work it deserves, call (619) 489-8680 or contact us online to set up a consultation. Let’s talk about how we can support you through this time.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents