How much is my burn injury claim in Orange worth?

In Orange, there is no set number. Your claim depends on the severity of the burn, the surgeries ahead of you, the scarring left behind, lost income, and other accident-related expenses. We have gone up against manufacturers and insurers who tried to minimize burns like yours, including in the case that produced the first jury verdict against an e-cigarette company in the country.

How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in California?

California generally gives you two years from the date of the injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 . If a government agency caused the burn, that window can shrink to as little as six months, so contact us as soon as you can.

What court handles a burn injury lawsuit filed in Orange, California?

Orange County Superior Court hears civil burn injury lawsuits from Orange at the Central Justice Cente r in Santa Ana, which the court lists as the civil courthouse serving the city.

Do I still have a case if a defective product caused my burns?

Yes. Manufacturers can be held responsible when a defective or exploding product injures someone, even if you never expected it to catch fire. If your situation raises a different question, ask us directly. We answer every one ourselves.

Home » Laguna Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer

Laguna Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer

Experienced Laguna Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer

Table of Contents

What a Laguna Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Do for Surviving Family Members

Losing someone you love because of another person’s carelessness, a defective product, or an unsafe workplace changes everything. You are left facing funeral costs, lost income, and questions nobody has answered yet, all while trying to hold your family together.

A Laguna Beach wrongful death lawyer at Bentley & More LLP can take over the investigation and insurance negotiations so you can focus on your family instead of paperwork. Because a wrongful death claim represents the most severe form of personal injury under California law, securing a dedicated personal injury lawyer ensures your family’s financial recovery accounts for all past and future losses.

Co-founded in 2016 by Gregory L. Bentley and Keith P. More, the firm built its practice around catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. Both founders were named to the 2026 Super Lawyers list. Insurers know that we’re not afraid to go to trial, even though many of our cases settle first. Understanding how to find a good personal injury lawyer in California is crucial when seeking fair financial recovery after a devastating loss.

Reach out and let’s talk about what happened and your family’s next steps.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Fatal Accidents and Negligent Conduct We Pursue for Laguna Beach Families

Every wrongful death case starts with a specific, preventable failure. We investigate claims arising from:

Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle collisions along Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Canyon Road, and other roads
Pedestrian accidents in crosswalks and on coastal trails
Defective vehicles, machinery, or consumer products
Unsafe property conditions at hotels, rentals, or hillside buildings
Workplace falls and construction site accidents
Dangerous road design or maintenance failures involving a city or state agency

These cases may involve more than one at-fault party. Sorting out who carried a legal duty and who broke it takes a detailed investigation before any claim is filed.

What California Law Allows a Family to Recover

California does not let the party responsible for a death escape financial accountability just because the victim cannot testify. Under Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 377.60, a surviving spouse, domestic partner, child, or other close dependent can bring a wrongful death claim against the party who caused the death.

Families can pursue compensation for:

Lost financial support
The loss of household services
Funeral and burial costs
Lost Companionship and guidance

You have a limited window to act. Under Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1, most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of death. If a government agency, such as a city or Caltrans, played a role in the death, the deadline can shrink to just months, so early legal help matters.

How Our Laguna Beach Wrongful Death Attorneys Build a Case

Bentley & More LLP has earned a Tier 1 ranking from U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” list. We apply the same investigative approach we use at trial to wrongful death claims from the start. Rather than accepting an insurance company’s early account of what happened, we gather accident reconstruction evidence, witness statements, and company or government records before settlement talks begin.

The firm’s work on government liability cases, including claims against state and local road authorities, means our team understands the shorter notice deadlines that can apply when a public agency is involved.

Wrongful Death Settlements

We have handled wrongful death cases before. Every case is unique, and prior case results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Our wrongful death cases include:

A $16 million settlement in a wrongful death claim after a crane operator’s negligence caused a fatal worksite accident
A $26 million settlement after a family of four was rear-ended on the freeway, resulting in one death and three catastrophic injuries
A $12 million settlement when a woman on her honeymoon was killed by a vehicle on the Venice Beach Boardwalk

Each of these results depended on the specific facts and evidence developed in that case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death lawyer in Laguna Beach?

Bentley & More LLP offers a free consultation, and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and attorney fees come only from money recovered for your family.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?

The surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children have the first right to file. If none exist, other relatives who would inherit from the person who died, such as parents or siblings, may qualify instead. Some dependents may also qualify.

Where is a wrongful death lawsuit filed for a death that happened in Laguna Beach?

Wrongful death cases arising in Laguna Beach are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. Limited and unlimited civil matters for the county, including wrongful death cases, are handled at the court’s Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

What compensation can my family recover in a wrongful death case?

Families can recover lost financial support, lost household services, funeral and burial expenses, and compensation for the loss of a loved one’s companionship and guidance.

Will my case have to go to trial?

Many wrongful death cases settle before trial, but insurance companies respond differently to a firm known for taking cases to a jury. We prepare every case as though it will be tried, because that preparation often shapes how insurers treat a claim.

What if more than one party was responsible for the death?

It is common for a crash or workplace accident to involve more than one negligent party, such as a driver and a government agency responsible for road design. We investigate every potential source of compensation before filing suit.

Every family’s situation is different, and these answers are a starting point rather than a substitute for discussing the specific facts of your loss with an attorney.

Put a Laguna Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer to Work for Your Family

You should not have to manage an insurance investigation while grieving. A Laguna Beach wrongful death lawyer at Bentley & More LLP can take on that work, from gathering evidence to pursuing every party responsible, so your family can focus on healing. Consultations are free, and there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Client Testimonials

“I can’t thank Bentley & More enough, especially Steve. After my dad’s passing in a car accident, they secured a settlement we are so grateful for. From the start, they made sure we were taken care of, handling everything so we didn’t have to worry. Steve went above and beyond, always there when we needed support, and it was such a relief knowing we were in good hands. If you’re looking for a firm that truly cares, Bentley & More is the one. Highly recommend them!” – Kevin Jimenez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Google reviews.

Bentley & More LLP Office

Address: 4931 Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 870-3800

Laguna Beach, CA Related Wrongful Death Resources

Laguna Beach, CA Wrongful Death Legal Resources

About Laguna Beach, CA

Laguna Beach is world-famous for its dramatic coastal cliffs, vibrant arts community, and scenic public areas like Main Beach and Heisler Park. However, congested traffic along Pacific Coast Highway and winding canyons leads to severe motor vehicle and pedestrian fatalities, with over 12,500 fatal and injury collisions reported annually across Orange County according to California Highway Patrol SWITRS data. Local traffic safety officials continue to implement road engineering upgrades and active safety enforcement programs. These vital community safety initiatives help protect residents, commuters, and tourists throughout the coastal enclave.