Wrongful Death Cases

Reno Wrongful Death Attorney with Over 37 Years of Northern Nevada Experience

When a family member dies due to another party’s negligence or wrongful act, Nevada law allows surviving relatives or the estate’s personal representative to pursue a wrongful death claim in civil court. A civil wrongful death claim may proceed even when no criminal charges are filed or a criminal case doesn’t result in a conviction. At Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates, we’ve represented Reno-area families in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases since 1988, over 37 years of handling these claims in northern Nevada courts.

Attorney Steven J. Klearman is a Board Certified Personal Injury Specialist in Nevada, a distinction fewer than 1% of Nevada attorneys hold. Clients communicate directly with Attorney Klearman throughout the entire process, not a paralegal or case manager. We offer free consultations by phone or in person with no obligation.

In Nevada, the elements of a wrongful death claim are set forth by statute as follows:

• Plaintiff is a relative of the decedent – such as a spouse, surviving child, or parent
• Defendant caused the decedent’s death by wrongful act or neglect
• Plaintiff may maintain an action for damages against the defendant or, if the defendant is deceased, against his or her personal representative

The Wrongful Death Lawsuit Process in Reno, NV

Pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit in Reno begins with a detailed consultation and investigation. During this phase, we gather critical evidence, including Reno Police Department reports and documentation from the Washoe County Coroner’s Office, to establish what happened and who may be responsible under Nevada law.

Once the record is assembled, we prepare a comprehensive complaint on your behalf, adhering to the rules and deadlines of the Second Judicial District Court in Washoe County. Attorney Klearman completed Harvard Law School mediator training in 2000 and serves as a court-appointed mediator in the United States District Court, District of Nevada. That negotiation perspective benefits clients directly during settlement discussions. His involvement extends through every phase: initial filing, settlement negotiations, mediation, and trial representation before a Washoe County judge or jury.

Nevada law requires specific documentation and proof from plaintiffs, so we prioritize transparent communication at every step. Many wrongful death cases resolve through negotiated settlements; cases that don’t settle are litigated fully in civil court, and we prepare every file accordingly from day one.

Damages in a Nevada Wrongful Death Case

Nothing fully compensates for the loss of a family member. Nevada law provides monetary damages to address both the financial and emotional hardships wrongful death causes, but pursuing damages requires working with a wrongful death attorney who knows Nevada’s statutes and Washoe County court procedures.

Damages Available to Heirs & the Estate

Under NRS 41.085, Nevada distinguishes between damages available to heirs and damages recoverable by the estate. Heirs may seek pecuniary damages for grief or sorrow, loss of probable support, companionship, society, comfort, and consortium, and damages for the decedent’s pain, suffering, or disfigurement. The estate’s personal representative may separately recover special damages such as medical expenses incurred before death and funeral expenses, as well as any punitive damages the decedent could have pursued. Punitive damages may be available when the defendant’s conduct was willful, oppressive, or malicious. Nevada doesn’t cap most wrongful death damages, though medical malpractice wrongful death cases involving noneconomic damages may have limitations under NRS 41A.035. Minor children may receive compensation for loss of parental companionship, instruction, and guidance. Washoe County courts consider both economic and non-economic damage categories when evaluating each claim.

In a wrongful death claim in Reno, the following types of damages may be available:

• Lost companionship
• Lost monetary support
• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Pain and suffering of survivors

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Wrongful death can arise from many different circumstances. Some of the most common cases we handle in Reno involve:

• Fatal car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Pool accidents

Wrongful death claims in Reno also arise from workplace accidents, faulty products, medical negligence, and DUI accidents. In northern Nevada, fatal accidents can occur on icy winter highways near the Sierra Nevada and at busy downtown Reno crosswalks, hazards that shape how we investigate and build each case.

Because every case is different, families benefit from working with a wrongful death lawyer in Reno who has handled a wide range of case types across northern Nevada courts. We investigate every circumstance thoroughly and stand by families through every stage of the legal process.

Nevada Wrongful Death Laws & Eligibility

Under NRS 41.085, “heir” means a person entitled to succeed to the decedent’s separate property under Nevada intestate succession laws, typically including a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and parents. The personal representative of the decedent’s estate may also bring a wrongful death claim independently of the heirs, pursuing a parallel recovery on behalf of the estate.

Statute of Limitations Under NRS 11.190

The two-year statute of limitations under NRS 11.190 governs when a wrongful death claim must be filed. The clock starts on the date of death, which may differ from the date of the underlying accident. Missing that deadline generally bars the right to seek compensation entirely, with very limited exceptions. Insurance companies and at-fault parties often attempt to assign fault to the decedent early in a case; prompt legal representation helps counter those tactics.

Nevada’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, NRS 41.141, recovery is permitted if the decedent was less than 51% at fault, but damages are reduced proportionally to the decedent’s share of fault. If fault reaches 51% or more, recovery is barred entirely.

These deadlines and fault rules make early legal counsel critical. At Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates, we take prompt action to identify all eligible claimants, protect against fault-shifting by opposing parties, and meet every timeline Nevada and Washoe County courts require.

Why Reno Families Choose Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates

Direct Access to Attorney Klearman
Attorney Klearman personally answers client inquiries. You communicate directly with him throughout your case, not through a case manager or rotating support staff. That direct-access model is uncommon in personal injury law and matters most when families are navigating one of the hardest experiences of their lives.

Authorship & Legal Scholarship
Attorney Klearman authored Elements of Nevada Legal Theories, now in its 15th Anniversary Fourth Edition, which Nevada judges and attorneys use as a definitive guide to civil claims throughout the state. That depth of knowledge, combined with over 37 years of personal injury practice in northern Nevada courts, shapes how we build and argue wrongful death cases.

Board Certification & Recognized Results
Attorney Klearman is a Board Certified Personal Injury Specialist in Nevada, a credential fewer than 1% of Nevada attorneys hold, and has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. Our firm has long-standing relationships at the Second Judicial District Court in Washoe County and a track record of six- and seven-figure results in personal injury and wrongful death matters. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect the preparation and advocacy we bring to every case.

Contact Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates today to schedule a free consultation by phone or in person. Call (775) 573-0229 and speak directly with Attorney Klearman about your family’s options under Nevada law. There’s no obligation and no cost to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Reno?

Under NRS 11.190, Nevada’s statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of your loved one’s passing. If a claim isn’t filed within that period, the right to recover damages may be permanently lost. Limited exceptions exist, such as when a crime led to the death or there was a delay in discovering the cause, but families shouldn’t rely on those exceptions. We monitor these deadlines closely and ensure every required step is completed within Nevada and local court requirements.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in Reno Wrongful Death Claims?

Reno families pursuing a wrongful death claim may recover economic damages, including hospital and medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent’s lost income, as well as non-economic damages for loss of companionship, emotional distress, and the pain and suffering of loved ones. Washoe County courts evaluate each case individually based on its specific impact on the family. We analyze your situation, build the evidence needed to substantiate your losses, and advocate for recovery whether in settlement or at trial.

How Does the Legal Process for Wrongful Death Claims in Reno Differ from Other Jurisdictions?

Wrongful death claims in Reno are governed by both Nevada law and the local rules of the Second Judicial District Court in Washoe County. Families must meet local evidentiary standards, follow court-specific procedures, and comply with multiple filing deadlines. We coordinate with regional agencies such as the Reno Police Department to collect records and build a complete case foundation. With decades of experience in Reno courts, we know how local procedures work in practice, and we keep clients informed and prepared at every stage of their wrongful death lawsuit.

We stand by your side to seek favorable results. Call us at (775) 573-0229 to speak with our team in a complimentary case evaluation today.