California Wrongful Death Trial Lawyer

When Negligence Takes Someone You Love

2-Time Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year
California Trial Lawyer of the Year, Runner-Up
Largest Wrongful Death Verdict of Its Kind in California History
ABOTA Member Since 2014 — Invitation Only, Top 1% of Trial Lawyers

No verdict can undo your loss. But a trial lawyer who refuses to be intimidated — and who takes the case to a jury — can deliver the accountability and justice your family deserves. Not a billboard. A trial lawyer.

Speak Directly With Gavin — Available 24/7
844-294-6445
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Gavin Long, California wrongful death trial attorney
A Record of Rejecting Lowball Offers — And Winning
The Defense Knows: This Lawyer Goes to Trial
Three separate cases. Three insulting offers refused. Three landmark results — including the largest wrongful death verdict of its kind in California history.
Rejected $100,000
▼
$3 Million
Verdict
Rejected $200,000
▼
$5 Million
Verdict
Rejected $350,000
▼
$11 Million
Verdict
Cases We Handle

Accountability for a Preventable Death

A wrongful death claim exists to hold accountable those whose negligence or wrongful conduct took a life that should still be here. Gavin Long represents grieving families across California in the cases that demand a trial lawyer’s skill and resolve.

01

Facility & Nursing Home Death

When understaffed nursing homes and care facilities neglect vulnerable residents, the results can be fatal. This is the practice area where Gavin holds the largest wrongful death verdict of its kind in California history.

02

Fatal Vehicle & Auto Defect Crashes

Deaths caused by dangerous drivers, commercial vehicles, or defective auto components — where a manufacturer or company’s choices turned a crash into a fatality.

03

Defective Product Death

When a dangerous or defective product takes a life, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable. These cases carry no damages cap and reach deep-pocketed corporate defendants.

04

Premises & Other Negligence

Fatalities caused by unsafe property conditions, inadequate security, and other preventable negligence where someone failed in a duty to keep people safe.

California Wrongful Death Law

What Your Family Has the Right to Recover

California law gives a deceased person’s closest family members the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. Understanding what the law provides is the first step toward justice.

Who May Bring a Claim

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other dependents and heirs may bring a wrongful death action. Determining standing can be complex, and an experienced attorney ensures the right parties are represented.

Damages a Family May Recover

Recoverable losses include both economic damages — financial support, funeral and burial costs, the value of household services — and non-economic damages for the loss of the loved one’s love, companionship, comfort, care, and guidance.

The Survival Action

Separate from the family’s wrongful death claim, a survival action may allow the estate to recover for the harms the decedent themselves suffered before death. The two claims are often pursued together to capture the full measure of the loss.

Time Limits Apply

California imposes strict deadlines on wrongful death claims, and critical evidence can disappear quickly. Acting promptly protects both the evidence and your family’s right to recover. A free, confidential consultation costs nothing and starts the clock in your favor.

Gavin Long, trial attorney
Gavin Long
Trial Attorney · Harrison Gavin Long, APC
Why Gavin

A Trial Lawyer the Defense Takes Seriously

Most personal injury lawyers settle. Gavin tries cases — and the defense knows it. He holds the largest wrongful death verdict of its kind in California history, secured after rejecting a lowball offer and taking the case to a jury. That same trial readiness is what drives results in every case he handles.

A 2-time Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year, California Trial Lawyer of the Year Runner-Up, and an invitation-only member of ABOTA since 2014 — a distinction held by roughly one percent of trial lawyers — Gavin brings more than 20 years of trial experience to families in their hardest moment.

No billboards. No call centers. When you call, you speak directly with the trial lawyer who will handle your case.

Speak With Gavin Directly

Your Family Deserves Answers

844-294-6445
844-2WINHGL
Available 24/7 · No charge to speak with us · No fee unless we win
Free Case Review

Tell Us What Happened

Every inquiry is reviewed personally and kept strictly confidential. There is no cost to speak with us, and no obligation. If negligence took someone you love, find out where your family stands.

Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. All information shared is kept strictly confidential.