Few things are harder than losing a family member because someone else was careless. Nothing a court does will undo that loss. What a wrongful death claim can do is hold the responsible party accountable and secure the financial future of the people left behind, so that grief is not compounded by lost income, medical bills, and funeral costs.
Valley Accident Law represents Arizona families in wrongful death cases across the Phoenix metro. Founder Charles Paglialunga has 29 years of Arizona accident experience and is a member of the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum. Every case is handled by Charles personally, and every first conversation is free and confidential.
Request your free consultation or call 1-602-584-8054.
Arizona’s wrongful death law (A.R.S. 12-611 and following) limits who may bring a claim. The surviving spouse, the children, or the parents may file. If none of those survive, the personal representative of the estate may bring the claim on behalf of the estate. We help families sort out who has the right to file before a deadline is missed.
Arizona allows the surviving family to recover both economic and non-economic losses:
Insurance companies often lead with a number that reflects only the bills already paid. We do not negotiate from that number.
We handle wrongful death claims arising from car accidents, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian collisions, drunk driving crashes, and hit-and-run incidents. Many of these cases also involve uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Most Arizona wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the death. If a government vehicle or employee was involved, a notice of claim is generally required within 180 days, a much shorter window. Because evidence fades quickly, it is best to talk to a lawyer early, and it is never too late to ask.
Charles handles every wrongful death case personally, with the care these cases deserve. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. We have secured verdicts and settlements up to $6.1 million. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights and answer your questions.
Request your free consultation or call 1-602-584-8054.
Arizona uses comparative fault, so investigators look closely at who caused the death and whether more than one party shares responsibility. In a wrongful death claim, that can mean the other driver, a trucking company, a property owner, or more than one defendant at once. Evidence matters early: the police report, witness statements, cell phone records, vehicle data, and medical records tying the death to the incident. Insurance companies open these claims by assigning their own fault percentage, often minimizing it to lower what they owe. They may also reach out to the family directly before an attorney is involved, hoping for a recorded statement or a quick, low offer. As a wrongful death attorney in Arizona, we gather the evidence independently, deal with the insurer directly, and build the claim around what the family actually lost, not just what bills have already come in.
If someone in your family died because of another person’s carelessness, the first step is simply a conversation. Charles reviews what happened, tells you honestly whether Arizona law supports a claim, and explains who in your family has the right to bring it. From there we act as your wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, requesting the police report, preserving evidence before it disappears, and opening communication with the insurance company so you are not the one fielding those calls while you are grieving. We handle families across the Phoenix metro, including as a wrongful death attorney in Litchfield AZ and the surrounding West Valley. There is no cost to talk with us and no obligation to move forward. Take the time you need. We are here when you are ready.
The surviving spouse, children, or parents, or the personal representative of the estate if none of those survive.
Generally two years from the date of death, and only 180 days to file a notice of claim if a government entity was involved.
Lost financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, the family’s grief, funeral and medical expenses, and punitive damages in reckless-conduct cases.
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency and are paid only if we recover for you.
You do not need a completed report to call us. We can start gathering evidence and talking to witnesses while the investigation is still open, then add the final report once it becomes available.
Yes, Arizona’s comparative fault rules generally still allow the claim to move forward. Fault assigned to your loved one may reduce what is recovered, but under most circumstances it will not eliminate the case.
The claim can often still move forward through other coverage. Many Arizona policies include uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, and we review every available policy, not just the other driver’s.
Most wrongful death claims in Arizona settle with the insurance company without a trial. If the insurer will not offer a fair resolution, we are prepared to file suit, and Charles walks you through that decision at every step.