The Dr. Lawyer Law Group
Arizona Wrongful Death Lawyers
Your loved one’s story deserves to be heard.
Losing someone you love is difficult enough. When another person’s negligence caused their death, we help you understand your options and seek accountability for your family.
No fees until we win.
Understanding your options
A path to accountability after a devastating loss.
A wrongful death claim is a civil action that may arise when another person or business causes a death through a wrongful act or negligence. Under Arizona law, the conduct must also be something the person who died could have brought an injury claim for had they survived.
At The Dr. Lawyer Law Group, we listen to your family’s story and examine the circumstances of your loved one’s death. Dr. Shah’s background in both medicine and law informs our approach to the medical questions that can be central to these cases.
Arizona law: A.R.S. § 12-611
Who can bring a claim
Understanding your family’s right to file.
Arizona law identifies who may bring a wrongful death action and who may benefit from it. The person who files and the people entitled to recover are not always the same.
Surviving family
A surviving spouse, child, or parent may bring an action. These family members are also the statutory beneficiaries for whom the claim is brought.
Guardians & representatives
A guardian or the deceased person’s personal representative may also bring an action as provided by law. If no spouse, children, or parents survive, the claim is brought on behalf of the estate.
We can help you understand who should bring the claim and whose losses it may address.
Arizona law: A.R.S. § 12-612
How these cases arise
Different circumstances. A deeply personal loss.
Determining who may be responsible starts with understanding what happened. Wrongful death claims can arise in circumstances such as these:
Car & truck accidents
A fatal collision may lead to a claim against a negligent driver or other responsible parties. The investigation examines how the crash occurred and whose conduct contributed to it.
Medical malpractice
A claim may arise when care falls below the applicable standard and causes a patient’s death. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nursing homes, or rehabilitation facilities.
Defective products
When a defective product causes a death, a manufacturer or another responsible party may be liable. These cases require a careful review of the product, the defect, and how it caused the harm.
Compensation for your family
Recognizing the full impact of your loss.
No amount of money can replace a loved one. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for the financial and personal losses experienced by eligible survivors.
Financial losses
- Lost financial support your loved one would have provided
- The value of lost household services
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
- Reasonable medical expenses related to the fatal injury
Personal losses
- Loss of companionship and affection
- Loss of care, protection, and guidance
- Survivors’ grief, sorrow, and mental suffering
The damages available depend on each survivor’s loss and the facts of the case, including who paid or is responsible for expenses. We work with your family to explain the impact of your loved one’s death in settlement discussions or at trial.
Arizona law: A.R.S. § 12-613. See also the State Bar of Arizona’s civil jury instructions on personal injury damages (PDF).
Building the case
What needs to be proved?
In a wrongful death case based on negligence, the claim generally involves four elements. Medical malpractice and product liability cases may involve additional or different requirements.
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A duty of care
The person or business owed your loved one a legal duty of care.
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A breach of that duty
Their actions or failure to act fell short of the care required.
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A connection to the death
That breach caused or contributed to your loved one’s death.
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Losses resulting from the death
The eligible survivors suffered losses for which the law allows compensation.
Time matters
How long do you have to file?
Arizona wrongful death claims generally have a two-year filing deadline measured from the date of death. Exceptions and special rules can affect the time available.
Claims involving a public entity or public employee can have much shorter notice and filing deadlines. Contact an attorney promptly so the deadlines that apply to your situation can be reviewed.
Arizona law: A.R.S. § 12-542, § 12-821.01, and § 12-821
Start with a conversation
Tell us about
your loved one.
We are here to listen, help you understand your legal options, and discuss the next steps for your family.
Free case strategy session
(602) 680-7300No fees until we win.