Top 50 Wrongful Death Settlements in California in 2019
We are pleased to present to you the list of the top 50 wrongful death settlements obtained in California in the year 2019. The list is comprised of cases filed either in a state or federal court, as well as those settled prior to commencing a lawsuit.
For firms that have made the list and would like to signify their achievement on their website or in other marketing materials, TopVerdict.com has issued a special electronic badge that is available for purchase here.
If you are the attorney who obtained one of the 50 settlements on this list, you can display a separate, personalized badge on your bio page to showcase your victory and potentially generate more business for your firm. You can buy your personalized attorney badge here. You can also obtain a personalized plaque to display in your office.
Important: While we strive to achieve maximum accuracy and completeness of our lists, we cannot guarantee either at 100%. If you believe another settlement should be on this list, please submit it to us today.
1 | |
Amount: | $9,475,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Timothy D. McMahon, Mark A. Sigala, Ben H. Stoddard of Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, LLP |
Case: | Kulkarni v. The Sobrato Organization LLC |
Type: | Dangerous Condition, Failure to Warn, Premises Liability, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Fall, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort, Architectural Malpractice, Design Defect |
2 | |
Amount: | $7,500,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Spencer R. Lucas, Noriel L. Flores of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP |
Case: | Bermas, et al. v. Waterstone Garden Investments, LP, et al. |
Type: | Dangerous Condition, Falling Object, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort |
3 (tie) | |
Amount: | $7,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | John E. Sweeney of Sweeney & Associates; Steven C. Glickman, Nicole E. Hoikka of Glickman & Glickman |
Case: | Taylor v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct |
3 (tie) | |
Amount: | $7,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Roger A. Dreyer, Anthony J. Garilli, Anton J. Babich of Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora, LLP |
Case: | Irwin v. County of Sacramento |
Type: | Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort |
4 | |
Amount: | $5,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Daniel M. Hodes of Hodes Milman, LLP |
Case: | Confidential Plaintiff v. Defendant Surgeon |
Type: | Hospital Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Surgical Error, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
5 | |
Amount: | $4,650,000.00 |
Attorneys: | John H. Howard, Brett C. Templeman of Lowthorp, Richards, McMillan, Miller & Templeman |
Case: | Caceres v. Villanueva |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Emotional Distress, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
6 | |
Amount: | $4,600,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Dale K. Galipo, Renee V. Masongsong of Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo; Louanne Masry, John C. Taylor of Taylor & Ring LLP |
Case: | C.M., Pro Ami, et al. v. County of Los Angeles, et al. |
Type: | Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Government Negligence, Negligent Supervision, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Negligent Hiring, Negligent Training, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
7 | |
Amount: | $4,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Arin Khodaverdian of Alpine Law Group, P.C.; Spencer R. Lucas, Brian J. Panish, Jefferson Saylor of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP |
Case: | Estate of Garibaldi v. Walgreen Co., et al. |
Type: | Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Entrustment, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
8 | |
Amount: | $3,900,000.00 |
Attorneys: | C. Michael Alder, Laura F. Sedrish of AlderLaw, PC; Reza Torkzadeh of The Torkzadeh Law Firm |
Case: | Estate of Padilla v. James W. Fowler Co. |
Type: | Dangerous Condition, Work Accident, Workplace Negligence, Wrongful Death, Negligent Training, Contractor Negligence, Negligent Tort |
9 | |
Amount: | $3,800,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Spencer R. Lucas, Marguerite S. Sanvictores, Nadine Ninva Khedry of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP |
Case: | Twitchell v. Martinez et al. |
Type: | Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Entrustment, Negligent Tort |
10 | |
Amount: | $3,750,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Gregory A. Yates of Law Offices of Gregory A. Yates P.C.; Dale K. Galipo, Eric Valenzuela of Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo |
Case: | Estate of A.W., et al. v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, False Arrest, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Denial of Medical Care, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Unreasonable Search & Seizure |
11 | |
Amount: | $3,015,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Warren R. Paboojian, Adam B. Stirrup of Baradat & Paboojian, Inc. |
Case: | Neal v. R-N-R Trucking |
Type: | Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Personal Injury, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death, Emotional Distress, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
12 (tie) | |
Amount: | $3,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Brian J. Panish, Thomas A. Schultz, John W. Shaller of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP; Nareg Gourjian of Gourjian Law Group P.C. |
Case: | Estate of A.G. v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Negligent Supervision, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Denial of Medical Care, Police Brutality, Police Corruption, Negligent Tort |
12 (tie) | |
Amount: | $3,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Gary A. Dordick, Christopher V. Bulone of Dordick Law Corporation; Cristobal M. Galindo of Law offices of Cristobal M. Galindo, P.C. |
Case: | Carranza v. Driver Urban |
Type: | Construction Accident, Dangerous Condition, Premises Liability, Slip & Fall, Work Accident, Workplace Negligence, Wrongful Death, Fall, Scaffolding Accident, Contractor Negligence, Negligent Tort |
13 | |
Amount: | $2,125,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Luis A. Carrillo, Michael S. Carrillo of Carrillo Law Firm, LLP; Daniel Rodriguez, J. Miguel Flores of Rodriguez & Associates |
Case: | Estate of E.O. v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Government Negligence, Wrongful Death, Breach of Duty of Care, Failure to Supervise, Failure to Train, Drowning Accident, Negligent Tort |
14 | |
Amount: | $2,025,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Richard H. Schoenberger, Justin Chou of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger |
Case: | Estate of Chung v. City and County of San Francisco |
Type: | Bus Accident, Dangerous Condition, Government Negligence, Wrongful Death, Fall, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
15 | |
Amount: | $1,750,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Dawn L. Hassell, Lisa A. Villasenor, Judy Graziano of The Hassell Law Group |
Case: | Decedent Pedestrian v. Commercial Vehicle Owner |
Type: | Motor Vehicle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Single-Vehicle Accident |
16 | |
Amount: | $1,600,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Michael E. Gatto, R. Lewis Van Blois of Van Blois Law |
Case: | Estate of Belcher v. Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District |
Type: | Bus Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Mass Transit Accident |
17 | |
Amount: | $1,408,333.00 |
Attorneys: | Michael Ghozland of Ghozland Law Firm |
Case: | Estate of Motorcyclist v. Truck Driver, et al. |
Type: | Motor Vehicle Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
18 | |
Amount: | $1,300,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Ralph M. Rios of Rios & Associates; Arnoldo Casillas, Daniel W. Gillette of Casillas & Associates |
Case: | Estate of Anderson v. County of Los Angeles, et al. |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Negligent Hiring, Negligent Training, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct |
19 | |
Amount: | $1,100,000.00 |
Attorneys: | William E. Wegner , Chloe Wolman of Davies Wegner Law; Eric D. Levine, Olesia Boulaev of The Levine Firm |
Case: | Estate of Devitt v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Dangerous Condition, Dog Bite, Government Negligence, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Failure to Protect, Animal Attack, Negligent Tort, Public Nuisance |
20 (tie) | |
Amount: | $1,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Philip Michels of Law Offices of Michels & Lew |
Case: | Estate of Chen v. TA, M.D. |
Type: | Hospital Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Failure to Monitor, Ob-Gyn Malpractice, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
20 (tie) | |
Amount: | $1,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Stephen M. Johnson of Berglund & Johnson |
Case: | Garber v. Meadowbrook Senior Living |
Type: | Nursing Home Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Fall, Inadequate Care, Failure to Monitor, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
20 (tie) | |
Amount: | $1,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Richard C. Watters of Miles, Sears & Eanni, PC |
Case: | Pena v. City of Fresno |
Type: | Bus Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior, Mass Transit Accident, On-board Accident |
20 (tie) | |
Amount: | $1,000,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Craig S. Walkon, Bradley J. Walkon, Andrew H. Walkon of Law Offices of Craig S. Walkon |
Case: | Estate of Suchomel v. High Desert Diagnostic Medical Group |
Type: | Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Failure to Treat, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
21 | |
Amount: | $950,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Kelly W. Winter , Amy Fisch Solomon, David N. Bigelow of Girardi | Keese |
Case: | Estate of Rusin v. Regents of The University of California |
Type: | Delayed Diagnosis, Delayed Treatment, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Failure to Monitor, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
22 | |
Amount: | $887,806.00 |
Attorneys: | Daniel M. Hodes of Hodes Milman, LLP |
Case: | Estate of Patient v. Primary Care Physician |
Type: | Delayed Diagnosis, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort |
23 | |
Amount: | $800,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Richard A. Cohn of Aitken Aitken Cohn |
Case: | Estate of Pardo v. San Marco Medical Group Inc. |
Type: | Delayed Diagnosis, Delayed Treatment, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior, Failure to Test |
24 (tie) | |
Amount: | $750,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Derek S. Raynes, Jeffrey S. Raynes of Raynes Erickson |
Case: | Estate of Sapalicio v. County of San Bernardino |
Type: | Delayed Treatment, Government Negligence, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
24 (tie) | |
Amount: | $750,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Joshua H. Haffner, Brian S. Kabateck, Hrag H. Kouyoumjian of Kabateck LLP; Tigran Martinian, Arash H. Zabetian of Martinian & Associates Inc |
Case: | Estate of Ortiz v. City of Los Angeles |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Failure to Warn, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort, Single-Vehicle Accident |
25 | |
Amount: | $695,000.00 |
Attorneys: | John L. Burris, DeWitt M. Lacy, K. Chike Odiwe of Law Offices of John L. Burris |
Case: | Wallisa v. Hesperia, et al. |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Government Negligence, Wrongful Death, Intentional Tort, Emotional Distress, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
26 | |
Amount: | $650,000.00 |
Attorneys: | James M. Lee, Caleb H. Liang, Julie A. Choi of LTL Attorneys LLP; Jennifer H. Ryu, Jack Bazerkanian of Shin Ryu Bazerkanian, LLP |
Case: | Estate of Medina v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Excessive Force, Government Negligence, Negligent Supervision, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Negligent Hiring, Negligent Training, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
27 | |
Amount: | $625,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Jennifer R. Johnson of Law Office of Jennifer R. Johnson; Daniel M. Hodes of Hodes Milman, LLP |
Case: | Estate of Patient v. Hospital, et al. |
Type: | Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Surgical Error, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
28 | |
Amount: | $600,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Dale K. Galipo of Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo; Alex R. Kessel of Alex R. Kessel, Attorney at Law |
Case: | Estate of Quintero v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Government Negligence, Wrongful Death, False Arrest, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Denial of Medical Care, Negligent Training, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Unreasonable Search & Seizure, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
29 (tie) | |
Amount: | $500,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Brian K. Brandt of Law Offices of Brian Brandt |
Case: | Estate of Cave v. City of Los Angeles |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort |
29 (tie) | |
Amount: | $500,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Brian T. Dunn, Megan R. Gyongyos of The Cochran Firm |
Case: | Estate of Jaradat v. City of Los Angeles, et al. |
Type: | Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Government Negligence, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
29 (tie) | |
Amount: | $500,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Adam K. Shea of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP |
Case: | Estate of Sweet v. City of Los Angeles |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Failure to Warn, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort |
30 | |
Amount: | $475,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Carl A. McMahan, Mark J. Habeeb of McMahan Law, PC; Marshall Silberberg of The Law Office of Marshall Silberberg |
Case: | Estate of Moog v. Loma Linda University Health |
Type: | Delayed Treatment, Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort |
31 (tie) | |
Amount: | $450,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Bobby Saadian, Daniel B. Miller of Wilshire Law Firm |
Case: | Estate of Vargas, et al. v. Gold Coast Transit |
Type: | Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior, Single-Vehicle Accident |
31 (tie) | |
Amount: | $450,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Joseph F. Fighera, Kimberly A. Valentine, Jennifer L. Turner of Valentine Law Group; Casey Johnson of Aitken Aitken Cohn |
Case: | Jenkins v. Ramona Rehabilitation and Post Acute Care Inc., et al. |
Type: | Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Medication Error, Elder Abuse, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
32 (tie) | |
Amount: | $400,000.00 |
Attorneys: | John L. Burris, Adante De Pointer, DeWitt M. Lacy, Melissa C. Nold of Law Offices of John L. Burris |
Case: | Estate of Woods v. City and County of San Francisco |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Failure to Supervise, Police Brutality, Failure to Train, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
32 (tie) | |
Amount: | $400,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Christopher T. Aumais, Ashkahn Mohamadi of Girardi | Keese |
Case: | Estate of Di v. Felcor Hotel Asset Co. LLC, et al. |
Type: | Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Drowning Accident, Negligent Tort |
32 (tie) | |
Amount: | $400,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Nicholas C. Rowley, Stephen K. McElroy, Ashley N. Parris of Carpenter, Zuckerman & Rowley, LLP |
Case: | Estate of Botz v. City of Los Angeles |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Failure to Warn, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort, Single-Vehicle Accident |
33 | |
Amount: | $375,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Neil M. Howard of Law Office of Neil M. Howard |
Case: | Estate of Loeza v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Medical Malpractice, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Failure to Treat, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
34 | |
Amount: | $350,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Vicki I. Sarmiento of Law Offices of Vicki I. Sarmiento; Dale K. Galipo of Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo |
Case: | Estate of Johnson v. County of San Bernardino, et al. |
Type: | Excessive Force, Negligent Supervision, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Negligent Training, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
35 | |
Amount: | $315,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Ryan A. Casey, Brian J. Panish, Adam K. Shea of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP |
Case: | Estate of Alvarez v. County of Los Angeles, et al. |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort, Single-Vehicle Accident |
36 | |
Amount: | $265,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Sevahn N. Simonian, Edward H. Yun of Yun + Simonian PC |
Case: | Estate of Fraley v. Live Nation Worldwide Inc., et al. |
Type: | Bicycle Accident, Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Single-Vehicle Accident |
37 (tie) | |
Amount: | $250,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Mark J. Geragos, Marcus Petoyan, Mallory Whitelaw, Dev D. Das of Geragos & Geragos |
Case: | Estate of Caldwell v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Civil Rights Violation, Professional Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Prison Negligence, Inadequate Care, Failure to Monitor, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
37 (tie) | |
Amount: | $250,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Daniel M. Siegel, EmilyRose Johns of Siegel, Yee, Brunner & Mehta |
Case: | Estate of Smith v. City of Oakland |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Civil Rights Violation, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, Failure to Supervise, Police Brutality, Failure to Train, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
38 (tie) | |
Amount: | $200,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Arnoldo Casillas, Denisse O. Gastelum of Casillas & Associates |
Case: | Estate of Mendez v. City of Los Angeles, et al. |
Type: | Assault & Battery, Excessive Force, Wrongful Death, Gunshot Wound, Intentional Tort, Police Brutality, Police Misconduct, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
38 (tie) | |
Amount: | $200,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Barbara B. Savaglio of Law Offices of Barbara B. Savaglio |
Case: | Estate of Ruiz v. Garibaldo |
Type: | Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Wrongful Death, DUI, Negligent Tort |
38 (tie) | |
Amount: | $200,000.00 |
Attorneys: | Donald C. Randolph, Nicole J. Stephenson of Randolph & Sampson, APC |
Case: | Estate of Chivas v. Garcia |
Type: | Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Wrongful Death, Negligent Tort, Single-Vehicle Accident |
39 | |
Amount: | $113,500.00 |
Attorneys: | Eric C. Bonholtzer of Ball & Bonholtzer |
Case: | Soto v. County of Los Angeles |
Type: | Car Accident, Dangerous Condition, Failure to Warn, Government Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accident, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Tort, Vicarious Liability, Respondeat Superior |
40 - 50 | |
Note: | Settlements below $100,000 have not been included to the list. |