Losing a loved one is devastating under any circumstance. But when that loss is caused by another person’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongful conduct, the pain is compounded by frustration, unanswered questions, and a deep sense of injustice.
In North Las Vegas, families affected by wrongful death have the right to pursue civil action against those responsible. A wrongful death claim is not about revenge. It is about accountability. At Drummond Law Firm, we guide families through this difficult legal process with compassion, clarity, and the strength to fight for what is right. Our mission is to help you secure the compensation you need and the justice your loved one deserves.
Veteran-Led Legal Support for Families Facing Unimaginable Loss
Wrongful death cases are emotionally complex and legally demanding. They require careful investigation, strong advocacy, and a team that can handle insurance companies and defense attorneys with confidence. Drummond Law Firm brings a focused, client-first approach to every fatal accident case we accept.
Led by Former U.S. Army Captain Craig W. Drummond
Attorney Craig W. Drummond is a former Army JAG officer and Bronze Star Medal recipient. His leadership and discipline form the foundation of the firm’s approach to legal representation. In wrongful death cases, that means investigating thoroughly, preparing for trial from day one, and honoring your loved one’s story with the care and seriousness it deserves.
Personal Legal Guidance With Trial Readiness
At Drummond Law Firm, your case is never handed off to case managers or support staff. You work directly with an attorney who listens to your concerns, updates you throughout the process, and builds a strategy tailored to your family’s needs. If the responsible party refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to court.
Reduced Fee Guarantee
Our firm offers Nevada’s only Reduced Fee Guarantee®. If your wrongful death claim settles, we guarantee that our legal fee will never exceed the amount you recover. This ensures your family retains the majority of your compensation while still receiving full legal support.
What Counts as Wrongful Death Under Nevada Law?
A wrongful death occurs when a person dies as the result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. These claims are civil in nature, meaning they are separate from any criminal proceedings that may also be taking place. You do not need a criminal conviction to file a wrongful death lawsuit or to recover compensation.
Under Nevada law, to prove wrongful death, four legal elements must be established:
- Duty of care. The defendant owed the deceased a legal obligation to act reasonably or safely under the circumstances.
- Breach of duty. The defendant failed to meet that obligation through negligence, misconduct, or inaction.
- Causation. That breach directly caused the death.
- Damages. Surviving family members suffered financial or emotional harm as a result.
These cases require careful collection of evidence, expert input, and detailed analysis. Drummond Law Firm works closely with accident reconstructionists, financial experts, and medical professionals to prove every element of the claim and hold negligent parties accountable.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in North Las Vegas?
Nevada limits who may bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, the right to sue belongs to close family members or to the official representative of the deceased person’s estate. Understanding who has legal standing is essential before filing a claim.
Spouses and Domestic Partners
A surviving spouse or registered domestic partner has the first right to bring a wrongful death action. The law recognizes the financial and emotional loss suffered by a life partner and allows them to seek compensation for lost companionship, support, and future income.
Children and Stepchildren
Biological and adopted children of the deceased may file a claim, as may stepchildren who were financially dependent on the person who died. This includes minors and adult children who can demonstrate loss of support or guidance.
Parents and Legal Guardians
If the deceased had no spouse or children, their surviving parents or legal guardians may be able to pursue a claim. This is common in cases involving young adults or unmarried individuals.
Personal Representatives of the Estate
When there are no direct heirs or when the family chooses to act through an estate, the court may appoint a personal representative to bring the wrongful death claim. This representative seeks damages on behalf of the estate and distributes any recovery according to Nevada’s laws of succession.
Drummond Law Firm helps families understand their rights and navigate the legal process from start to finish. We handle the paperwork, court filings, and legal strategy so that you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Personal Injury Cases
Wrongful death can result from many types of incidents. While every case is unique, there are common scenarios in North Las Vegas where a person’s life may be taken due to the negligence or misconduct of another.
Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Collisions
Fatal crashes on I-15, Craig Road, and other major routes in North Las Vegas are often caused by speeding, distracted driving, intoxication, or careless lane changes. In cases where someone is killed due to another driver’s recklessness, whether that’s in a car or on a motorcycle, the surviving family has the right to pursue damages.
Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and cyclists have little protection in traffic. A careless driver may cause fatal injuries in crosswalks, school zones, or residential neighborhoods. These accidents are especially devastating and often involve long-term financial and emotional fallout for the surviving family.
Dangerous Property or Premises Hazards
Landlords, businesses, and public agencies have a duty to keep their properties reasonably safe. A fatal slip-and-fall, collapse, fire, or drowning caused by code violations or neglected hazards can result in a wrongful death claim.
Violent Crime Due to Negligent Security
In some cases, fatal injuries occur because a property owner failed to provide adequate security in areas known for crime. When someone is murdered, assaulted, or otherwise harmed on poorly managed property, a civil claim may be filed in addition to any criminal proceedings.
Types of Compensation Available in a Wrongful Death Case
Families who lose a loved one due to negligence face a range of losses—some financial, others deeply personal. Nevada law allows surviving relatives and the estate to recover a variety of damages that reflect the impact of the death on their lives. At Drummond Law Firm, we help families pursue compensation that honors the full value of their loved one’s life.
Medical Bills and End-of-Life Expenses
In many cases, the deceased received medical care before passing away. These costs may include emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, or palliative care. We help families recover these medical expenses as part of the wrongful death claim.
Funeral and Burial Costs
Funeral and burial arrangements place a financial burden on grieving families. These costs are often sudden and significant. Nevada law permits recovery of these expenses as part of a civil lawsuit.
Lost Financial Support and Benefits
If the deceased contributed financially to the household, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for lost income, benefits, or retirement contributions. We work with financial experts to calculate the long-term impact of losing that support.
Loss of Companionship and Emotional Support
The loss of a spouse, parent, or child is not just economic. Families are entitled to damages for the emotional pain and suffering that comes from losing a loved one’s companionship, guidance, and presence. These losses are real and deserve legal recognition.
Wrongful death compensation must reflect both the measurable financial harm and the intangible human loss. Drummond Law Firm builds claims that capture this full picture, working with families to ensure nothing is overlooked.
How Wrongful Death Claims Differ From Criminal Charges
A common source of confusion is the difference between a civil wrongful death claim and a criminal case. While both may stem from the same fatal event, they serve different purposes and follow different rules.
Criminal charges are brought by the state to punish the wrongdoer. If convicted, the defendant may face jail time, fines, or probation. The goal of a criminal case is justice for society, not financial compensation for the family.
A wrongful death claim is a civil action brought by the family or the estate. Its purpose is to hold the responsible party financially accountable for the harm they caused. You do not need to wait for a criminal trial to conclude—or even for charges to be filed—in order to bring a civil claim.
In fact, the burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case. A successful wrongful death claim only requires a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not that the defendant’s actions caused the death.
Drummond Law Firm helps families understand how the civil and criminal systems interact. If criminal charges are filed, we coordinate with prosecutors to stay informed. But our focus remains on protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.
How Drummond Law Firm Investigates and Builds Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death claims are not built on sympathy. They are built on facts, strategy, and preparation. From the moment we accept a case, we begin gathering the evidence needed to prove liability and damages in a clear, persuasive manner.
We start by collecting police reports, witness statements, and photographs from the scene. If available, we obtain surveillance footage, dash cam recordings, or 911 call transcripts. We also work with private investigators and accident reconstruction experts to understand exactly what happened and why.
Medical records play a critical role in connecting the cause of death to the defendant’s actions. We work with physicians and specialists to review treatment records, autopsy findings, and care histories.
To calculate damages, we consult financial experts who can estimate lost income, future earning capacity, and other quantifiable losses. We also gather statements from family members and loved ones to illustrate the personal impact of the death on the household.
Whether we are preparing for negotiation or trial, our team takes every step seriously. We treat your case as if it will go before a jury—because we believe that level of preparation leads to better results, even outside of court.
Challenges Families Face During Wrongful Death Litigation
The legal process is only part of what families must navigate after a fatal accident. Grief, anger, financial pressure, and exhaustion can make it hard to think clearly. At Drummond Law Firm, we help families manage both the emotional and legal weight of the process, providing structure, support, and clarity every step of the way.
Some of the most common challenges include:
- Delays and uncooperative insurance companies. Many insurers delay responses or request unnecessary documentation. We push back and keep your case moving forward.
- Disagreements within the family. In some cases, multiple family members may have different ideas about how to proceed. We handle the legal side so families can focus on healing, not conflict.
- Disputes over liability. Defendants often try to shift blame or argue that someone else caused the death. Our team works with experts and investigators to uncover the truth and prove responsibility.
- Emotional exhaustion. Reliving the events through paperwork and testimony is painful. We handle the legal burden so you do not have to repeat the trauma more than necessary.
Our approach is grounded in empathy and professionalism. We walk beside you—not just as attorneys, but as advocates—so you can focus on rebuilding while we fight for justice.
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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Discover how Drummond Firm has helped car accident victims in Las Vegas recover and rebuild. Our clients share their stories of compassionate support and successful outcomes.
Call the Captain: Speak With a North Las Vegas Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
No amount of compensation can replace the person you lost. But financial accountability can bring relief, stability, and a sense of justice during one of the hardest chapters of your life. You deserve a legal team that takes your case seriously and treats your family with dignity.
Drummond Law Firm stands ready to help. Led by a former Army JAG officer, our team brings the discipline, focus, and strength needed to take on negligent individuals, corporations, or government entities. We prepare every case for trial and never back down from a fight when the stakes are high.
Our Reduced Fee Guarantee ensures that your family always receives more than our firm. That is how we show our commitment to fairness and trust.
If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in North Las Vegas, call 702-CAPTAIN today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We are here to listen, to fight, and to help your family find a path forward.

