Local office in Stockton, CA1212 W Robinhood Dr, Suite 2DDirections

Lost a loved one in Stockton?Talk to a lawyer for free.

San Joaquin County's Medical Examiner usually has its report ready about 90 days after a death. When you're ready to talk, we can request it, and the other records, for you.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
  • Zero upfront costYour consultation is free, with no obligation.
  • Hablamos españolNative Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays.
  • Available 24/7We'll come to your home.
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Call our Stockton office(209) 348-022624/7 line: (800) 985-9565

No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation. Clients may be responsible for case costs. Read the disclaimer

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They were professional, responsive, and really cared about my case.
Victoria G.Valero Law Group clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for our clients.

We've won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.
  • $1.3MWrongful deathFor the family of a person killed through someone else's negligence.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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Here to protect your family, not the insurer's bottom line

Insurance companies have a team.Your family should have one too.

After a death, the insurance company for whoever caused it has adjusters, investigators and lawyers working on the claim, often within days. We can speak with them for your family, so you don't have to.

Before anyone in your family signs anything, ask:

  1. Does it account for the support and help your loved one would have given over the years?
  2. Does it include every family member who has a claim?
  3. Does it cover the funeral and burial costs, and the medical bills before the death?

From one of our car accident cases

The insurer's best offer$410,000

What we won for our client$4.4M

A car accident that left our client with a neck injury. The result was more than ten times the insurer's best offer.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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Our office in Stockton

Local wrongful death lawyers,right here in Stockton.

Not every firm that advertises in Stockton has an office here. We do.

Our office is on Robinhood Drive in north Stockton, about 11 miles from Lodi, 19 from Manteca and 24 from Tracy. Wherever your family is in San Joaquin County, we'll come to you.

Nearby officesModestoSan JoseFresno

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every family,with patience and care.

After a loss, we take on the legal work with the same skill, attention and determination we bring to every client.

We gather the records, deal with the insurance companies and explain each step in plain words, so your family can focus on each other.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

400+five-star Google reviews

Real reviews fromour clients.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
From the first call, not only did they inform me, but they ensured I received the medical care I needed, and they never stopped fighting for me and my family.
Titilayo A.Google review
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Thank you for always being attentive to my case every single day.
Daniel A.Google review
Thank you for all your help. Very professional.
Robert M.Google review

What a family can recoverafter a wrongful death.

A wrongful death claim is for what your family lost: the support, help and companionship your loved one gave, and the costs the death brought.

Economic damages

The costs you can add up

  • The financial support your loved one would have given
  • Gifts and benefits the family would have received
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • The value of the household help they gave

Non-economic damages

The loss that has no receipt

  • Their love and companionship
  • Their comfort, care and protection
  • Their moral support and affection
  • Their training and guidance
  • 2 yearsTo file a wrongful death lawsuit, usually from the date of deathCalifornia generally allows two years, and the time usually starts on the date of death. Calling early leaves time to gather the reports and records a claim needs.
  • 6 monthsFor a claim when a public agency may be responsibleIf a City or County vehicle, an RTD bus or a dangerous public road played a part, a written claim to that agency is usually due within six months of the death, before any lawsuit.
  • $12,818Funeral and burial costs the state may cover when a crime caused the deathThe state's Victim Compensation Board may pay up to this much when a crime caused the death, such as a drunk or drugged driver, a hit-and-run or vehicular manslaughter (Gov. Code §13955). It pays after other sources, such as insurance. San Joaquin County's victim assistance line is (209) 468-3640.

After a loss in Stockton,what comes next.

The medical examiner, death certificates, reports and who can bring a claim, explained.

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  • The Medical Examiner's report
    In San Joaquin County, sudden or unexplained deaths, including traffic deaths, are investigated by the County's Office of the Medical Examiner in French Camp. Its report, with the autopsy and toxicology results, is usually ready about 90 days after the death, and the immediate family gets one copy free. Call the office at (209) 468-4300, or we can request it for you.
  • Release to the funeral home
    The Medical Examiner usually releases your loved one to the funeral home within two to four days, and the funeral home arranges it. Personal belongings go to the legal next of kin or representative.
  • Death certificates
    Certified copies from this year or last come from Public Health Services Vital Records, 1601 E. Hazelton Avenue in Stockton; older ones from the County Recorder, 44 N. San Joaquin Street. Each copy is $26, and the funeral home can usually order them for you. Bringing the estate's claim without a probate case takes a certified copy.
  • Which agency has the police report
    If your loved one died in a crash, the report is with the agency that responded. On I‑5, Highway 99 and Highway 4 around Stockton, and on county roads, that's usually the CHP's Stockton office; on I‑205, I‑580 and I‑5 around Tracy, its Tracy office. On Stockton's streets, it's usually Stockton Police. In Lodi, Tracy, Manteca, Lathrop, Ripon and Escalon, it's that city's police. Not sure which? Call Stockton Police at (209) 937-8377 or the CHP at (209) 938-4800, or let us request it.
  • Who can bring the claim
    In California, a wrongful death claim belongs to the family members the law names: a spouse or registered domestic partner, children, and the children of a child who has died. If there are none, it goes to the relatives who would inherit, such as parents or brothers and sisters. Some other dependents can also claim (CCP §377.60).
  • Keep the bills and pay records
    Funeral and burial receipts, medical bills, and the pay stubs or tax returns that show the support your loved one gave all help show what your family lost. Keep them together, with any letters from insurance companies.
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Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
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Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a loss in Stockton.

How long does our family have to file a claim?
Generally two years from the death. If a public agency may be responsible, such as the City of Stockton or your own city, San Joaquin County, RTD or Caltrans, a written claim usually has to be filed within six months. If your loved one died before their own deadline ran out, the estate has at least six months after the death to bring their claim. Call us early so no deadline passes.
Does a wrongful death claim pay for our grief?
No, and we know that can be hard to hear. A jury is told not to award money for the family's grief or sorrow, or for the pain your loved one suffered (CACI 3921). It does pay for what the family lost: the support, help, love and companionship your loved one gave, and the funeral costs.
Does the family bring one case together?
Usually, yes. The family members the law names claim together, and the court divides the award among them. If a child is one of the heirs, the court must approve the child's share of any settlement.
What is the estate's claim?
It's separate from the family's claim: the claim your loved one would have had if they had lived, for example for their medical bills and lost pay before they died. Without a probate case, a family member can bring it as "successor in interest" with a sworn declaration and a certified copy of the death certificate (CCP §377.32). For cases filed from 2022 through 2025, California also let the estate recover for the pain your loved one went through; that window closed on January 1, 2026 (CCP §377.34).
How is a wrongful death claim valued?
There's no formula. A jury weighs what the family lost: the support your loved one would have given over their life expectancy or yours, whichever is shorter, the household help, and the loss of their love and companionship. Life expectancy takes account of health, habits, activities, lifestyle and occupation (CACI 3921).
The other side's insurance company has called us. What now?
You aren't required to give the other side's insurer a recorded statement, and accepting a settlement usually closes the claim for good. It's fine to tell the adjuster you'll call back after you've talked to a lawyer. Once you hire us, we speak with them for your family.
Do you have an office in Stockton?
Yes. Our office is at 1212 W Robinhood Dr, Suite 2D, Stockton, CA 95207. Come in if you like, or we'll come to you at home. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.
What does a wrongful death lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a Stockton wrongful death lawyer today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

(209) 348-0226

24/7 line: (800) 985-9565

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