When a loved one’s life is cut short due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, no amount of money can replace them. Still, California law allows surviving family members to seek wrongful death damages to ease the financial and emotional burden of their loss. One important factor in calculating those damages is the life expectancy of both the person who passed away and the surviving family members.
At Hulburt Law Firm, we help families navigate this complex process with compassion and precision. Our California Wrongful Death Life Expectancy Calculator is designed to give you a clearer understanding of how this factor may influence your case.
In California, damages in a wrongful death case fall into two main categories:
When determining wrongful death damages, juries must estimate how long the deceased would have lived if the wrongful death had not occurred. They also consider how long the surviving family member would live, because the damages are limited to the shorter of those two life expectancies.
California courts use mortality tables—such as those from the Vital Statistics of the United States—as a starting point. These tables provide the average life expectancy for a person based on age and gender.
However, the law makes it clear that these tables are not conclusive. Juries can and should also consider:
This flexibility is important because life expectancy is not a one-size-fits-all number—some people live far longer than the average, and others die sooner.
Our California Wrongful Death Life Expectancy Calculator is designed to give you an estimate based on official Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) life expectancy tables. While it can’t replace the nuanced judgment of a jury, it’s a useful tool for:
Founders Conor and Leslie Hulburt are award-winning trial attorneys who combine legal expertise with genuine care for the people they represent. We understand that wrongful death cases are not just about numbers—they’re about honoring your loved one’s legacy and ensuring you have the resources to move forward.
Our team will work closely with you, using tools like the life expectancy calculator alongside in-depth evidence gathering, to pursue the full and fair compensation your family deserves.
The Truth Demands Justice. If you’ve lost a loved one and believe their death could have been prevented, call us today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights, evaluate your case, and guide you every step of the way.
Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.
The Hulburt Law Firm specializes in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases in San Diego, California.
