Losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence is devastating. A wrongful death lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office helps grieving families file claims under Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act, pursue bereavement damages, and hold negligent parties accountable. Our wrongful death lawyers in Calgary fight to secure the compensation your family needs to move forward — so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal process.
All wrongful death claims in Alberta must be filed within two years from the date of death. Failing to file within this window may permanently bar your family from recovering compensation. Contact a wrongful death lawyer in Calgary immediately after a fatal accident to protect your rights.
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Wrongful death claims in Calgary arise from a wide range of fatal incidents caused by negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing.
A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary has experience pursuing claims across all major categories of fatal accident cases in Alberta.
Car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian accidents remain the leading cause of wrongful death claims in Calgary. Distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and failure to obey traffic signals frequently result in fatal collisions on highways like Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail. Families of victims killed in motor vehicle accidents may access both Section B no-fault benefits and a claim under the Fatal Accidents Act.
Construction site falls, equipment failures, and industrial accidents account for a significant number of fatal workplace incidents in Alberta. While workers’ compensation covers some losses, families may have a separate right of action against third parties — such as equipment manufacturers or subcontractors — whose negligence contributed to the death.
When a patient dies due to a misdiagnosis, surgical error, medication error, or failure to treat at a Calgary hospital or clinic, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the medical professional or institution. Medical malpractice fatality claims require expert evidence and are among the most complex wrongful death cases to litigate.
Fatal slip-and-fall accidents, structural failures, and unsafe property conditions can give rise to wrongful death claims against property owners or occupiers in Calgary. Building code violations, inadequate maintenance, and failure to warn of hazards are common grounds for these claims.
Defective consumer products, faulty vehicle components, and dangerous industrial equipment can cause fatal injuries. Wrongful death claims based on product liability may be pursued against manufacturers, distributors, or retailers under Alberta law.
Pedestrians and cyclists struck by motor vehicles in Calgary intersections, crosswalks, or bike lanes face disproportionate fatality risks. A wrongful death lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office pursues claims against negligent drivers and, where applicable, against municipalities for dangerous road design.
The value of a wrongful death claim in Calgary depends on three categories of damages under Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act: bereavement damages, loss of financial dependency, and recoverable expenses. A wrongful death claim for a primary income earner with a young family can result in a settlement valued at several hundred thousand to over one million dollars.
Loss of financial dependency represents the largest component of most wrongful death settlements in Alberta. This category compensates family members for the financial support they would have received from the deceased had the death not occurred. Courts at the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta calculate dependency loss by considering the deceased’s historical earnings, projected career trajectory, work benefits, tax implications, and personal living expenses. Dependency claims are not limited to spouses and children — parents may also claim loss of dependency based on the concept of filial piety.
Section 8 of Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act sets fixed bereavement damages that eligible family members receive without needing to prove the depth of their grief. These amounts compensate for the loss of the deceased’s care, guidance, and companionship. These bereavement amounts are set by statute and have not been updated since May 1, 2013. A spouse or adult interdependent partner who was living separate and apart from the deceased at the time of death is not eligible for bereavement damages. Stepchildren and grandchildren are generally not eligible under Section 8.
In motor vehicle fatality cases, Section B no-fault benefits from the deceased’s vehicle insurance policy provide an initial $5,000 for funeral expenses plus a death benefit that varies by the deceased’s age and the claimant’s relationship, and up to $400 per family for grief counselling. A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary ensures that families access both Section B benefits and the full range of Fatal Accidents Act damages.
Under Section 7 of the Fatal Accidents Act, the following expenses are recoverable in a wrongful death claim:
A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary ensures that families access every one of these categories — not just the fixed bereavement amount most families assume is the full extent of their claim.
(403) 249-1733Filing a wrongful death claim in Alberta requires the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate to bring the action on behalf of eligible family members. Under Section 3 of the Fatal Accidents Act (RSA 2000, c F-8), only one lawsuit can be filed for a single wrongful death, and it must include all eligible beneficiaries. The Fatal Accidents Act defines the following persons as eligible beneficiaries:
| Relationship to Deceased | Bereavement Amount |
|---|---|
| Spouse or adult interdependent partner | $82,000 |
| Parent or parents (shared equally if both claim) | $82,000 total |
| Each biological child | $49,000 per child |
The claim must be brought by the executor named in the deceased’s will or by a court-appointed administrator if no will exists. If the executor or administrator does not file within one year of the death, another eligible family member may apply to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta for permission to bring the action. If your loved one died without a will, consulting a Wills and Estates Lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office can help resolve these issues before they delay the wrongful death claim.
Insurance companies and defendants in wrongful death cases do not simply accept liability. They often raise legal defences designed to reduce or eliminate the compensation owed to your family. A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary anticipates these defences and develops a case strategy to overcome them.
The most common defence in Alberta wrongful death cases — the argument that the deceased was partially responsible for their own death. If the court finds the deceased contributed to the fatal incident, damages are reduced proportionally.
The defendant may argue that they owed no duty of care to the deceased — for example, that the deceased was trespassing on private property. Establishing the existence of a duty of care is a foundational element of every wrongful death claim.
This defence argues that the deceased voluntarily participated in a dangerous activity and accepted the associated risks. A wrongful death lawyer evaluates whether the risk was truly voluntary and whether the defendant’s negligence exceeded the accepted level of danger.
If a wrongful death claim is not filed within two years of the date of death, the defendant will argue that the limitation period has expired. This defence is absolute — once the limitation period passes, the court cannot revive the claim regardless of its merits.
Filing a wrongful death claim in Alberta follows a defined legal pathway governed by the Fatal Accidents Act and the Alberta Rules of Court. A wrongful death lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office manages every stage of this process on your family’s behalf.
A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office reviews the circumstances of the death, identifies the liable parties, and explains your family’s legal options. This consultation is free and confidential.
The legal team collects police reports, medical records, autopsy reports, witness statements, workplace safety reports, and any available surveillance footage. In motor vehicle fatality cases, accident reconstruction experts may be retained.
A wrongful death claim may be brought against individuals, corporations, government entities, medical professionals, or product manufacturers. In some cases, multiple parties share liability.
The executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate files a Statement of Claim at the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. This document must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Both parties exchange evidence through the discovery process. The wrongful death lawyer retains expert witnesses — including economists, medical professionals, and accident reconstruction specialists.
Most wrongful death claims in Alberta resolve through negotiated settlement or judicial dispute resolution before reaching trial. A wrongful death lawyer negotiates aggressively to ensure any settlement reflects the full value of your family’s losses.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the wrongful death lawyer takes the case to trial at the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, and if necessary, to the Alberta Court of Appeal.
Wrongful death in Alberta occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default — and the deceased would have been entitled to claim personal injury damages had they survived. Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act (RSA 2000, c F-8) governs wrongful death claims, creating a right of action for the deceased’s family members to recover compensation, including bereavement damages, loss of financial dependency, and funeral expenses.
Alberta is one of the few Canadian provinces that operates under a dual-statute framework for fatal accident claims. The Fatal Accidents Act provides a new cause of action for surviving family members. At the same time, the Survival of Actions Act (RSA 2000, c S-27) allows the deceased’s estate to continue any personal injury claim the victim could have brought if they had survived. The estate claim under the Survival of Actions Act is limited to actual financial losses and excludes pain and suffering damages. Both statutes can be pursued simultaneously, allowing families to recover compensation through two distinct legal channels.
This dual-statute approach is a critical distinction that many families — and some lawyers — overlook. A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office in Calgary ensures that both avenues are assessed to maximize the total compensation available to your family.
Choosing a wrongful death lawyer in Calgary is one of the most important decisions your family will make after losing a loved one. Centobin Law Office brings a combination of legal expertise, compassionate representation, and aggressive advocacy that families in Calgary rely on during the most difficult period of their lives.
A wrongful death lawyer at Centobin Law Office pursues claims under both the Fatal Accidents Act and the Survival of Actions Act to maximize the total compensation available to your family. Many law firms pursue only one of these avenues, leaving money on the table.
Book a confidential consultationFatal accident evidence degrades quickly. The wrongful death lawyers at Centobin Law Office in Calgary begin investigation and evidence collection within hours of your initial consultation.
Book a confidential consultationCentobin Law Office represents wrongful death clients on a contingency fee basis. Your family pays no legal fees unless the case is successfully resolved through settlement or trial.
Book a confidential consultationThe wrongful death lawyers at Centobin Law Office are experienced litigators at the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and the Alberta Court of Appeal.
Book a confidential consultationGrieving families need a legal team that listens, communicates clearly, and respects the emotional weight of the situation. At Centobin Law Office, every wrongful death client works directly with experienced lawyers — not paralegals or assistants.
Book a confidential consultationAs a personal injury lawyer in Calgary with a dedicated wrongful death practice, Centobin Law Office is uniquely positioned to handle the legal, financial, and procedural complexities of fatal accident claims in Alberta.
Under Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act (RSA 2000, c F-8), a wrongful death claim must be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate. The claim is brought for the benefit of the spouse or adult interdependent partner, parents, children, brothers, and sisters of the deceased. Only one lawsuit can be filed for a single wrongful death, and all eligible beneficiaries must be included.
Section 8 of Alberta’s Fatal Accidents Act sets fixed bereavement damages: $82,000 to the spouse or adult interdependent partner, $82,000 to the parent or parents (divided equally if both claim), and $49,000 to each biological child of the deceased. These amounts are awarded without requiring proof of the extent of grief.
Yes. Under Section 5 of the Fatal Accidents Act, if the person responsible for the death has also died, the wrongful death claim can be brought against the executor or administrator of that person’s estate. If no executor or administrator has been appointed, a judge at the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta may appoint a litigation representative.
Yes. If the court finds that the deceased was partially responsible for their own death, the total compensation is reduced proportionally. For example, if the deceased was 20% at fault, the damages awarded are reduced by 20%.
The limitation period for a wrongful death claim in Alberta is two years from the date of death. If the executor or administrator does not file within one year of the death, another eligible family member may apply to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta to bring the action.
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by the deceased’s family to recover financial compensation. Criminal charges — such as dangerous driving causing death or criminal negligence causing death — are prosecuted by the Crown and can result in imprisonment. The two proceedings are independent of each other. If you are also navigating criminal proceedings, a criminal lawyer in Calgary at Centobin Law Office can advise on that process.
Criminal defence in CalgarySection B benefits are no-fault benefits available through the deceased’s vehicle insurance policy after a motor vehicle accident fatality in Alberta. These benefits provide up to $5,000 for funeral expenses, a death benefit that varies by the deceased’s age and the claimant’s relationship, and up to $400 per family for grief counselling.
The two-year limitation period for wrongful death claims in Alberta begins on the date of death. Every day that passes without legal action puts your family's right to compensation at risk. Explore our full personal injury services.
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