San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyer

over three decades of legal experience

Over $100M Recovered for our clients

Extensive Jury Trial Experience

Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is one of life’s hardest experiences. Alongside the grief, families are often left with questions about accountability, financial strain, and how to move forward. At Delfino Green & Green, we have spent more than 30 years helping California families pursue justice and secure the compensation they need to rebuild.

Our firm focuses on holding responsible parties accountable through dedicated, results-driven advocacy. We approach every case with compassion, clear communication, and the determination to protect your family’s future.

wrongful death claim documents with gavel on the table

Understanding Wrongful Death in San Francisco

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies because of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. A wrongful death action is brought by surviving family members to seek justice and compensation. In San Francisco and across California, these claims can cover both financial losses and the human impact of the loss.

Recoverable compensation can include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the loss of love, guidance, and companionship. A wrongful death can stem from many events, including a wrongful act such as a car and truck crash, medical malpractice, unsafe worksites, or dangerous products. A caring San Francisco attorney can explain your options and guide each step with respect for your family’s needs.

Contact Us

Please contact us online or call us at 415-442-4646 to speak with a San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyer about how to receive compensation for your loss.

Range of Fatal Accident Cases We Handle

Families come to us after many types of tragedies, and we are ready to help in cases large or small. Our team understands the insurance issues, local courts, and the evidence needed in Bay Area cases.

Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Bus accidents
Bicycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Aviation accidents

If your loss came from a different situation, contact us to discuss your specific facts and options.

Wrongful Death Statute Of Limitations

California generally gives you two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Miss this deadline, and the court can refuse your case. Certain situations change the timing, including claims involving a public entity or medical malpractice, which can carry shorter timeframes and extra steps.

Scenario	Filing Deadline	Notes
Standard wrongful death	2 years from the date of death	Code of Civil Procedure 335.1
Medical malpractice	Shorter periods apply	Special rules and caps can apply
Claims against a government entity	Often 6 months to file a claim	Must file a government claim first

Timing is critical. Contact Delfino Green & Green to speak with a San Francisco wrongful death lawyer about your deadline and next steps.

How Delfino Green & Green Attorneys Build a Strong Case

We handle the legal load so your family can focus on each other. Building a strong wrongful death case requires careful investigation, clear proof of negligence, and a full understanding of how the loss has affected your family. Our approach is steady, thorough, and designed to present the facts in a way that supports the strongest possible outcome.

Comprehensive Evidence Gathering

The process begins with gathering every piece of available evidence. This includes witness statements, police reports, medical records, video footage, and photos from the scene. When the facts are unclear, we consult professionals who can clarify what occurred.

An experienced attorney, a San Francisco wrongful death injury lawyer, may work with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and financial analysts to explain how the event happened and how the loss impacts your family’s future.

Proving Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages

Once the evidence is secured, we set out to prove the core elements of negligence. This includes showing that the defendant owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached, that the breach caused the death, and that the damages are real and significant.

Each link must be supported by reliable proof, and our trial lawyer team organizes the case file to present these points clearly and effectively.

Calculating Economic and Non-Economic Losses

With liability supported, we calculate the full range of losses. Economic damages often include lost income, lost benefits, and the value of household services. Non-economic damages reflect the loss of companionship, love, guidance, and the emotional impact of the death.

These assessments must be carefully documented to reflect the true extent of your family’s loss.

Preparing for Settlement or Trial

Some wrongful death cases resolve through settlement once the facts are clear. Others require litigation when insurers or defendants refuse reasonable offers. Delfino Green & Green prepares for both paths from the start.

We negotiate firmly when a fair resolution is possible, and we stand ready to take the case to trial if that is what it takes to protect your family’s rights.

Choosing the Right San Francisco Wrongful Death Law Firm

Selecting the right wrongful death law firm is one of the most important decisions a family can make after a tragic loss. These cases are emotional, financially significant, and often complex, which is why you want a team that brings proven results and genuine compassion to the table. A strong San Francisco wrongful death attorney understands both the legal challenges and the personal weight carried by grieving families.

The best wrongful death lawyers in San Francisco combine courtroom skill with real empathy. They know how to present evidence clearly, challenge insurance companies, and advocate for full compensation, while also supporting families through a difficult time with respect and patience. This balance matters. Families need not only legal guidance, but also steady reassurance and honest communication.

Delfino Green & Green has spent more than three decades securing favorable verdicts and settlements for California families. In personal injury cases, our record reflects the care and diligence we bring to each case. We focus on giving every client personal attention, keeping communication clear, and explaining each step of the process so there are no surprises. Our firm is committed to transparency regarding strategy, timelines, and fees, because trust is essential during such a sensitive period.

If you have questions about a wrongful death claim or want to understand your options, we welcome the chance to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and speak with a San Francisco wrongful death lawyer who will listen closely to your story and guide you toward the next steps. Your family deserves support, clarity, and dedicated advocacy, and we are here to provide it.

Fighting For The Compensation You & Your Family Need

The accidental death of a family member or loved one can turn your world upside down. The emotional devastation caused by a loved one’s death, combined with financial uncertainty, creates chaos within a family. You and your loved ones are grieving and learning to live without a beloved family member. Many families struggle to make ends meet after a fatal accident that took a primary income provider.

At the law firm of Delfino Green & Green, our San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyer knows that there is nothing we can do to ease the pain and suffering you are enduring. However, that does not mean that we are unable to hold the negligent party who caused the loss responsible. Call us at 415-442-4646 to speak with our team and get the support you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Families can recover wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support and benefits, and the value of services the person provided at home. Non-economic damages include loss of love, companionship, guidance, and support. Each case is different, and the full picture depends on the facts.

Generally, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Some cases have shorter timelines, especially those involving medical expenses related to a government entity or healthcare providers. Speak with an attorney promptly to confirm which deadline applies to your situation and to protect your rights.

A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses after the death. A survival action, brought by the estate, seeks damages the decedent could have recovered if they had lived, such as medical bills and wages before passing. Many cases involve both claims together.

Yes, you must show the defendant had a duty, breached that duty, and caused the death, which led to damages. Evidence can include reports, photos, videos, witness testimony, and professional opinions. The standard in civil court is a preponderance of the evidence.

Yes, criminal and civil cases proceed separately. A criminal case focuses on punishment and uses a higher burden of proof. A civil wrongful death case focuses on compensation and uses a lower burden, so you can succeed even if there is no criminal conviction.

You can still bring a wrongful death claim. California law sets out who has standing to file a wrongful death suit, which often includes spouses, domestic partners, children, and others who depended on the decedent. Any recovery is then distributed under the state’s intestate succession rules or by court order.

Yes, most cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. Settlement can reduce stress, control risk, and provide a faster payout. If the defense refuses a fair number, your attorney can take the case to trial and present the evidence to a jury.

For wrongful death victims, multiple parties can share legal responsibility based on their percentage of fault. Your case can pursue compensation from each at-fault party, such as a driver, employer, product maker, or property owner. This improves the chances of full recovery when losses are large.

Punitive damages can be available when the conduct is malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive. They are meant to punish and deter, not to compensate. Your attorney will evaluate the facts to see if the case supports this type of claim under California law.

Yes, stepchildren and parents can file in some situations, especially if they were financially dependent on the decedent or qualify under California’s wrongful death statute. An attorney who specializes in personal injury law can review your relationship and dependency to confirm eligibility and the best way to proceed.

Reach Out To Us

Please reach out to us at 415-442-4646 to speak with one of our San Francisco Wrongful Death Lawyers.

Verdicts & Settlements

We’ve recovered millions for our clients

Traumatic Brain Injury

Our client suffered a mild Traumatic Brain Injury when heavy object struck her in the head. The responsible party denied all fault and insisted until the very end that our client had not suffered a brain injury and offered nothing to settle the case. Our firm assembled a team of world renowned expert‘s to demonstrate that our client had suffered a mild Traumatic brain injury. The case settled shortly before trial.

$1,000,000

Forklift Accident

A construction supervisor went to pick up some materials for a construction job. A worker at the yard neglected to set the parking brake on a piece of heavy equipment a few yards away. While the construction supervisor had his back turned, the machine rolled into him, pinning him against the side of his pick-up truck. He suffered several broken ribs, but that was the least of his injuries. Within several weeks of the accident, he had partially lost his sight. By working with medical experts, our firm was able to directly connect the sight loss to the injuries caused by the machine that rolled into our client. The case settled at Mediation without any need for a trial.

$700,000

Aviation Death Settlement

A husband and father of two small children was killed in an aviation accident involving a small aircraft. Our firm represented the widow and two children against the pilot of the aircraft. By hiring experts in aviation (to prove negligence) and economists (to prove damages), and utilizing William Green’s expertise as an instrument-rated pilot, we were able to make a very powerful case and obtain a very favorable settlement that allowed the family to survive financially.

$975,000

Traumatic Hand Injury

Our client was working at a manufacturing plant. While operating a piece of machinery, his glove became caught in the machinery and part of his hand was severely injured. Ordinarily, this type of injury would be restricted to remedies available through Worker’s Compensation. However, through the knowledge, ingenuity, and creativity of our team of attorneys, we were also able to obtain a very substantial civil settlement for our client in addition to the workers comp settlement of his case.

$985,000

Heart Condition Disability

Our client had worked for the government for many years when she began suffering from a serious heart condition. All of her doctors told her that she could no longer work and if she continued to do so, she would be risking further injury to her heart or even death.

$1,000,000

Builder’s Risk/Collapse

A contractor suffered a severe collapse at one of his sites. The claim was submitted to the insurer and denied. Mr. Green reviewed all of the facts, researched the law, and brought together the necessary experts to prove that the Contractor’s Builders Risk insurer was responsible for a substantial portion of the loss. He also proved that a subcontractor was negligent and the subcontractor’s insurer also paid a substantial settlement. In total, Mr. Green was able to obtain more than $1,700,000 in compensation for his client.

$1,700,000

Heart Condition Disability

Our client became disabled by a heart attack. The insurer refused to pay, claiming that our client was still able to perform his occupation. We met with all of our client’s doctors, obtained reports confirming the client’s inability to perform his prior occupation, and ultimately convinced the insurance company to pay the claim in full.

$1,800,000

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury to Child A three year old child was being carried across the street when she was struck by an oncoming car. The child suffered a serious traumatic brain injury when she hit the ground. Her injuries were so serious she had to be hospitalized for several months. Our firm negotiated a settlement of $2,000,000 by forcing the payment of all of the available insurance from the driver’s automobile insurer ($1,250,000), the entire amount of the homeowners insurance limits available ($500,000), and all of the amounts that the person carrying the little girl was able to recover from the negligent driver ($250,000). We then arranged for another firm to prepare and fund a large Special Needs Trust for the health and welfare of the injured child.

$2,000,000

Disability Claim

Disability – Neurological Issues Our client became disabled from neurological issues. Our attorneys were able to work with the client and his physicians to quickly assemble all of the documentation necessary to support out client’s claim of total disability. The insurer agreed that our client was totally disabled and paid his claim.

$2,400,000

Traumatic Brain Injury

A 16 year old developmentally disabled kid was hit by a bus while in a crosswalk. He suffered a concussion which turned into post concussive syndrome, where the symptoms of the concussion don’t heal completely. This is also known as a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (“mTBI”). Our firm was hired as trial counsel 6 months before trial because of our expertise in TBIs as well as cutting edge trial techniques. When we first associated into the case, there was a very minimal settlement offer and it did not appear that the Defense was taking the case seriously. Our team of attorneys, experts and staff immediately immersed ourselves in the case as we prepared to demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of this incident. Shortly before trial, the Defense could see that we had put all the pieces together to prove liability and that full justice for our young client required damages in the many millions of dollars. The matter settled for $5,750,000.

$5,750,000

Bad Faith Insurance Claim

Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith Bad Faith – Pollution Coverage Prior to forming his own firm, Mr. Green worked at one of the largest and most prestigious firms in the U.S. He was the primary attorney on an environmental insurance case that went to trial in San Francisco. After a several week trial, Mr. Green came away with a trial verdict against the insurers with a value of over $10,000,000 in available insurance coverage.

$10,000,000

Construction Death

The husband and father of 4 young children was working at a construction site when he died because of another contractor’s negligence. After more than two years of hard fought litigation, our team of experts was able to win a tremendous victory on behalf of our clients and ensure that all of their financial needs will be met. We could not bring back the husband/father for this family, but we were able to protect them from the financial devastation that can and often does result where the primary source of income for the family is taken away. We then worked with our team of financial planners to make sure that this family will always have financial security.

$10,400,000

Words of Praise from Our Clients

"I had the pleasure of working with Sharon Delfino on my workmens comp case. She definitely had my best interest at hand. She was able to find me a great doctor and help me resolve my case. The staff there are always polite and friendly, never had an issue. It was a pleasure working with Delfino Green & Green !"

Tabitha W
"I've known the firm's founder, Bill Green, for many years and I can say that he is one of the best attorneys I've had the pleasure of working with. He and his associates at Delfino Green & Green are hard-working, highly responsive, and very professional, and they get the job done, without excuses. Bill is a great communicator, both with clients, and in Court, and invests time and money to include visual storytelling in his trials and mediations. You won't find an attorney who cares more about you, and getting you an outstanding result for your case. Bill is one of the "good guys" in the legal profession...a great person to have on your side when dealing with the craziness of litigation."

Tim M
"A few years ago, I referred a friend of mine to the attorneys at Delfino Green & Green. He was extremely happy with the job they did on his case. He was severely injured when a car hit him when he was crossing a street and this event had the potential to ruin him in a number of ways - financially, physically, emotionally, etc. We kept in close contact during the lawsuit and he told me how great his lawyer and his assistant were throughout the process. Caring, compassionate and very knowledgeable. My friend ended up with a great result - fair financial compensation and great treatment for his injuries. Little did I know when I referred my friend that a few years later, I would need a lawyer for injuries I suffered, but I did. Based on my friend’s experience, I knew that Delfino Green & Green would be the right attorneys for me. So I hired Bill Green and his team to help and they jumped right into action. Now I can saw that I too have firsthand knowledge of just how great these guys are. They knew the law, they knew just how to handle my particular case, and they helped me get my life back after the horrible events that lead to my injury. I can’t imagine that you could do any better than hiring these folks. I’m so grateful for all they did for both me and my friend."

Evelyn A
"The work Delfino Green & Green did on my case was beyond excellent. The final result was superb, but I also truly appreciated how Mr. Green and the team kept me up-to-date at every stage of the case. I was able to reach someone whenever I needed something or had something important to report and the firm always let me know what was going on in my case. That was very important to me because I hadn’t found that to be true with other attorneys. In short, really top flight work, great people and results that met all of my expectations above and beyond."

Byron H

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Request Your Free Consultation Now

Get the firm legal guidance you need with Delfino Green & Green

Understanding Wrongful Death in San Francisco

Contact Us

Range of Fatal Accident Cases We Handle

Wrongful Death Statute Of Limitations

How Delfino Green & Green Attorneys Build a Strong Case

Comprehensive Evidence Gathering

Proving Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages

Calculating Economic and Non-Economic Losses

Preparing for Settlement or Trial

Choosing the Right San Francisco Wrongful Death Law Firm

Fighting For The Compensation You & Your Family Need

Frequently Asked Questions

Reach Out To Us

Personal Injury Types

Verdicts & Settlements

Words of Praise from Our Clients

Request Your Free Consultation Now