Bakersfield Wrongful Death Attorneys
Not every tragic death warrants a wrongful death claim. To find out if you have a case after the loss of a loved one in Bakersfield or Kern County, call the compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyers team at Chain | Cohn | Clark at 661-616-9829.
Chain | Cohn | Clark is a personal injury law firm—so nearly everyone we meet is going through something. But nothing quite compares to the loss of a spouse, child, or parent—a life cut short by senseless, avoidable negligence.
A drunk driver losing control. A sheriff’s deputy driving recklessly. A loved one neglected in a facility you trusted. Safety precautions brushed off at work.
No amount of compensation can replace the love, companionship, or guidance of a family member who’s been taken from you. A wrongful death claim can fill in gaps in your finances or help pay for child care. But the driving force behind most wrongful death cases is accountability—a desire to make those at fault take responsibility.
And in doing so, we hope for change:
- Maybe more people will take a cab home from the bar.
- Maybe the police department will train its officers differently.
- Maybe assisted living facilities will take notice and shape up.
- Maybe more job sites will take safety protocols seriously.
And maybe another family won’t have to feel what you’re feeling right now.
Our law firm has handled many high-profile wrongful death lawsuits, helping grieving families receive compensation for their loss, hold negligent parties accountable, and begin to heal.
We know how to …
- Investigate an accident and gather evidence of who was at fault
- Retain experts to testify on your behalf
- Meet filing deadlines and handle the complicated paperwork involved in car accident claims
- Document your injuries—physical and emotional—in ways the insurance companies can’t refute
- Negotiate a fair settlement and, if necessary, argue your case in court
Considering a Wrongful Death Claim?
Get a Free Consultation
Your loved one deserves justice.
To ensure that justice is within everyone’s reach, we offer new clients a free consultation—and we don’t charge any fees up front. You don’t pay anything unless we reach a settlement or win a verdict on your behalf.
We also offer free, no-obligation consultations, so contact us today for a free review of your case.
Client Stories
We can tell you what it’s like to have Chain | Cohn | Clark’s attorneys representing you in a wrongful death lawsuit. But the best people to tell you about our law firm are those we’ve already helped.
People like:
Mark, whose mother was killed when a sheriff’s deputy ran a red light: “I knew that a wrong had been done,” Mark says. “Something needed to be done.” He goes on to say, “We were grieving as a family, and I had enough on my mind. Not having to deal with the legal end of it was comforting.”
Denise, whose daughter was hit and killed by a drunk driver: “Not only are they doing a good job—what they went to school to do, what they want to do—but at the same time, it’s about the people,” Denise says. “I just feel honestly from their heart, they are truly there for you.”
John, whose father died as a result of mistreatment in a nursing home: “I was looking more to send a statement to the skilled nursing facility that they shouldn’t be behaving in such a manner that’s going to harm people,” John says. With Chain | Cohn | Clark, he continues, “I finally felt like I had somebody on my side… an advocate who could fight on behalf of my father.”
Case Results
Chain | Cohn | Clark has obtained more multimillion-dollar case outcomes than any other Kern County law firm. Overall, we’ve brought in almost a billion dollars in compensation for our clients. Our wrongful death case results include:
$8.8
million
Car accident: for a father killed by a speeding police officer
$6
million
Truck accident: for a father killed by a drowsy truck driver
$4.15
million
Workplace accident: for a worker killed in an oilfield accident
$3.4
million
Motorcycle accident: for a man killed when a police officer drove into his path
What Types of Wrongful Death Cases Does Chain | Cohn | Clark Handle?
Chain | Cohn | Clark is Kern County’s leading personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm. That means we can handle wrongful death claims that fall under many different personal injury practice areas, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents
- Work-related accidents, including construction, industrial, agricultural, or oilfield accidents
- Premises liability, including accidents at places of business or on government property
- Elder abuse, including neglect and lack of care
- Police misconduct, including police-involved shootings or beatings
- Product liability, including accidents involving defective products or products with inadequate instructions or warnings
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$11
million
Auto Accident
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
$9
million
Industrial Accident
$8.8
million
Police Misconduct
$8
million
Pedestrian Accident
$7.5
million
Pedestrian Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
A wrongful death is when a person dies because of someone’s deliberate or negligent actions. It’s not a death by natural causes—it’s a preventable death that occurs because of someone’s irresponsible or illegal actions.
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil legal proceeding to recover financial damages. Many wrongful death cases also involve criminal charges, which are handled separately.
The California Code of Civil Procedure provides a very specific list of people who can file a wrongful death action. In most cases, those who file suit are relatives of the victim: a spouse, parents, children, or grandchildren. Depending on various circumstances, a few other parties can also file. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible to file a wrongful death suit, contact us.
In general, the time limit (statute of limitations) on filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death. However, if your family member died because of medical malpractice, you only have one year to file. And if your suit is against a government entity, you may need to file within six months of the date of death.
The best way to ensure that you take action within the statute of limitations is to contact a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
In wrongful death litigation, you may receive two types of damages:
- Economic damages cover support you would still have if your family member had not been killed, including:
- Past and future income the deceased would have earned
- Past and future household services the deceased would have provided
- Funeral expenses and other related costs
- Noneconomic damages compensate families for things that can’t easily be assigned a dollar value, including:
- Loss of consortium (i.e., loss of the benefits of being married)
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, protection, and moral support
- Loss of training and guidance
We can’t tell you exactly how much compensation you’ll receive. There are many variables involved. For example, compensation may be different for a couple who lost a child versus a husband who lost a wife. Another factor is the age of the victim.
The best way to learn more about the potential value of your case is to contact a wrongful death lawyer.
Why Hire Chain | Cohn | Clark?
Wrongful death lawsuits are complex. You don’t need any additional complications in your life while you’re grieving (and perhaps coping with financial stress).
Chain | Cohn | Clark is a local law firm. Most of our lawyers are Bakersfield or Kern County natives. We’re plugged into our community, and we care about what happens here. That means we care about what happened to you, too.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with our attorneys:
Personal attention
You’ll meet your lawyer at your first appointment. Other staff may be in the meeting, but you’ll meet the attorney handling your case face-to-face.
Communication
We’ll keep you updated on what’s happening with your case—from our investigation to expert witnesses and court filings. Although we’ll handle the paperwork and negotiations, you’re still in control. We keep you informed so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
Support
We can’t bring back the one you’ve lost. But we will help you hold those responsible for their death accountable.
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