To choose a lawyer for a wrongful death claim, look for someone who has handled wrongful death cases from start to finish as lead counsel, has real trial experience, communicates honestly about strengths and weaknesses, and treats your family's loss with genuine care. Meet with more than one attorney, ask direct questions about their experience, and be wary of anyone who promises a result or pressures you to sign.
A Hard Decision at the Hardest Time
Losing someone because of another person's negligence changes a family forever. In the middle of that grief, you suddenly face insurance companies, paperwork, legal questions and decisions with lasting consequences. One of the most important is choosing the attorney who will tell your loved one's story.
If you have started looking for a wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles, you have probably noticed that every firm says it is experienced, compassionate and successful. The challenge is separating marketing from substance. Choosing a wrongful death attorney is not about the cheapest fee or the biggest billboard. It is about experience, courtroom skill and the kind of care that can carry your family through a very difficult chapter.
For this guide, we spoke with Donn Christensen, Managing Attorney at Insider Accident Lawyers, about what families should look for.
Why the Choice Matters So Much
Wrongful death cases are more complex and more emotional than most injury claims. According to the CDC, unintentional injury was the third most common cause of death in the United States between 2018 and 2024, with 194,449 deaths recorded. Behind each of those numbers is a family.
These cases often involve several defendants, detailed investigations, expert witnesses, medical records, economic analysis and deeply personal testimony. Every decision along the way can affect the outcome. Donn says families should start with one basic question: "The first thing they should do is make sure they're speaking with someone who's got experience in the area."
Experience means more than years in practice. It means taking wrongful death cases from beginning to end, understanding their particular legal issues, and knowing how to build a case that is ready for trial.
Look Past the Advertising
Commercials and slick websites say little about a lawyer's ability. Ask direct questions instead. Donn suggests these:
"Have you done this before? Were you lead counsel? Did you handle the case from the beginning until the end? Did you try it to a verdict?"
The answers show whether you are talking to someone who has actually litigated wrongful death cases or someone who worked on them from the sidelines. Many firms advertise dozens of practice areas. Your family's case deserves a lawyer with real wrongful death litigation experience. Our list of questions to ask a personal injury lawyer can help you prepare.
Trial Experience Changes the Negotiation
Most wrongful death claims settle before trial. But here is the insider reality: insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to pick a jury and which prefer a quick settlement, and they factor that into what they offer.
"You want people who've really been in court and actually picked a jury and gotten to trial and succeeded to handle your case," Donn says. A trial lawyer prepares every case as if it will be heard by a jury. That preparation often leads insurers to make fair offers, because they see the risk of facing that lawyer in court. If a lawyer has never tried a wrongful death case to verdict, ask why.
Do Not Choose on Price Alone
With funeral costs, lost income and sudden financial strain, it is natural to worry about legal fees. But focusing only on the fee can be an expensive mistake. Donn is blunt about it:
"The worst thing you can do is focus on negotiating down the fees. You would be better off paying more to a lawyer who's experienced and successful than negotiating a much lower fee with a lawyer who's never done it before."
As he puts it, "Twenty percent of nothing is nothing." And he compares it to another life-changing choice: "You wouldn't go to a discount brain surgeon." A lawyer's ability to build and win the case should matter far more than a slightly lower contingency percentage.
Trust and Chemistry Matter
Wrongful death cases can last months or years. You will talk with your lawyer often, make big decisions together and revisit painful memories. "Litigation is a team sport," Donn says. "You need to feel like you trust your lawyer and that they're being transparent and open with you."
Families sometimes assume the lawyer with the biggest reputation is automatically the safest choice. Not necessarily. "Every lawyer is not right for every plaintiff," Donn says, and if the connection is not there, "You're still better off hiring someone else who works with you or connects with you." Your attorney will learn intimate details about your loved one's life, your family relationships, your finances and your grief. You need to be comfortable sharing them. If something feels off at the first meeting, listen to that instinct.
Compassion Is Essential
Families are not just hiring someone to file paperwork. They are trusting someone to tell the story of a person they loved. "The loss of a loved one is really one of the most emotional things anyone can ever go through," Donn says. His warning sign is simple: "If they seem to consider this as just another case, that's a red flag."
A lawyer who understands the depth of your loss is often better at conveying it to insurers, opposing counsel and, if necessary, a jury.
Honesty Builds Credibility
Jurors evaluate the people presenting evidence, not just the evidence. "Be genuine with juries. Tell them the truth as you know it and be authentic," Donn advises. That authenticity starts at the first consultation. Does the lawyer answer hard questions honestly? Do they discuss weaknesses as well as strengths? Are they making promises no one can keep?
No lawyer can ethically promise a specific outcome. What they can offer is thorough preparation, candid advice and commitment. "It's important that you feel your lawyer is genuine and honest and transparent, because that's how a jury is going to see the lawyer too," Donn says.
Communication Should Be a Priority
Poor communication is one of the most common complaints clients have about lawyers, and grieving families should not have to wonder what is happening with their case. "I'm a big fan of trust between the lawyer and the client. It's got to be two ways," Donn says. He tells clients, "If you have anything that you feel I need to know, call me," and reassures them, "If it's important to you, it's important to us." Quick, open communication also helps the case, because important information reaches the legal team while it can still be used.
Good Lawyers Listen
Many consultations are dominated by a lawyer listing credentials. Donn cautions against lawyers who are just waiting for their turn to talk: "Too many lawyers let people talk but they're not really hearing them." He notes that "Clients will tell you really important things unintentionally because they don't recognize it's important." Careful listening can uncover witnesses, documents and timelines that later become key evidence. After your consultation, ask yourself whether the lawyer truly listened to your family's story. If not, keep looking.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Promising a specific settlement amount
- Pressuring you to sign right away
- Treating your loved one's death as a routine file
- Being vague about wrongful death experience
- Avoiding questions about trial history
- Failing to explain the legal process clearly
- Taking days or weeks to respond to basic questions
- Rushing you through the consultation
In Donn's words: "Anybody who treats one of the most important events of your life as just another file is not the right person to handle a wrongful death case."
What to Bring to Your First Meeting
You do not need to have everything organized, and a good firm will help gather what is missing. But bringing what you have helps the lawyer give you a more useful assessment:
- The death certificate and any coroner or autopsy report
- The police, CHP or incident report, or at least the report number
- Photos, videos and names of any witnesses
- Medical and hospital records from before the death, if there was treatment
- Funeral and burial bills
- Information about your loved one's income, such as pay stubs or tax returns
- Any letters, emails or calls from insurance companies
It also helps to write down, in your own words, who your loved one was: their role in the family, their work, their routines and what their absence has meant. Those details are not just personal. They are part of how the family's loss is presented to an insurer or a jury.
Be Careful With Early Insurance Contact
Families are sometimes contacted by an insurer within days of a death, occasionally with a quick offer. An adjuster may seem sympathetic, but their role is to evaluate and limit the company's exposure. Before giving any recorded statement or signing anything, talk with a lawyer. A release signed in the first weeks after a loss can end the family's claim before anyone understands what really happened.
Know the Deadlines
While you take the time to choose carefully, keep an eye on the calendar. California wrongful death claims have strict filing deadlines, and some claims, especially those involving government agencies, move on a much shorter timeline. Our article on how long you have to file a wrongful death claim in California explains the rules.
What the Case Is Really About
Wrongful death claims are sometimes misunderstood as being about money. In reality, financial compensation is the only remedy the civil justice system can offer. No verdict can bring back a parent, spouse or child. Compensation provides stability for the family and holds negligent people and companies accountable.
"You don't get a second chance at these," Donn says. He sees these cases as especially significant because "you want to make sure that people who are responsible for someone dying prematurely don't get away with it." Whether the case involves a reckless driver, a dangerous property or neglect in a nursing home, holding the responsible party accountable can push them toward safer practices that protect other families. As one example of our past work, our firm obtained a $1,000,000 result in a motorcycle versus tractor-trailer wrongful death case. Every case is different, and past results do not predict future outcomes.
Speak With Insider Accident Lawyers
Choosing a wrongful death attorney means choosing someone to investigate what happened, stand up to insurers and speak for your family during unimaginable grief. Focus on experience, trial readiness, honesty, compassion and trust, and do not be afraid to ask hard questions. You can learn more about our firm, call 424-INSIDER, or request a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story and explain your options in plain language. You pay no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you.
