Maurice Vaturi
Senior Counsel
Catastrophic Injuries
Toronto Wrongful Death LawyerFamily Law Act claims for surviving spouses and children
Trusted by grieving families across Ontario
Overview
If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you need a compassionate wrongful death lawyer in Toronto who will fight to hold negligent parties accountable while you focus on your family. At VC Lawyers, our dedicated Toronto wrongful death lawyer team provides aggressive and compassionate legal representation for families across Ontario who have experienced the death of a loved one caused by motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace deaths, and fatal falls. We work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
No amount of compensation can replace a family member. But financial security for those left behind is essential. Our wrongful death lawyers understand that pursuing a wrongful death claim is about protecting your family’s future, not just seeking justice for the past. Our experienced wrongful death lawyer team carries all costs of the case upfront, so your family can grieve without the added burden of legal fees.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation today. Available 24/7.
Talk to us
Every wrongful death case deserves a careful look
The first 30-minute consultation is free and confidential. Whether you were injured, lost a loved one, or are caring for an injured family member, we will tell you within that conversation what your realistic options are, and what to do next.
No fee unless we recover. Home and hospital visits available across the GTA.
The legal framework
What is a wrongful death claim in Ontario
A wrongful death claim arises when a person’s death is caused by the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another party. Under Ontario law, death is considered wrongful when it results from circumstances that would have given the deceased the right to sue for personal injury had they survived. When a loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, Ontario law provides the surviving family with a legal right to pursue compensation through two primary mechanisms.
The Family Law Act (FLA) allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for the loss of guidance, care, and companionship that the deceased provided during their lifetime. Under the Family Law Act, the following family members are entitled to bring a wrongful death claim: a spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and siblings of the deceased.
The estate’s tort claim allows the estate to pursue compensation for the economic losses caused by a family member’s death. That includes the future income the deceased would have earned to financially support their dependents, and the losses incurred between the time of the fatal injuries and the date of death.
Together, these two avenues give families a route to recover both the emotional and financial losses following the death of a loved one caused by another’s negligence. Our wrongful death lawyers understand the full scope of both claims and pursue each aggressively on your family’s behalf.
As of July 1, 2026, Ontario’s SABS “Optionality” changes affect how death and funeral benefits are paid to surviving families. Depending on the deceased’s policy choices, families may be eligible for enhanced survivor benefits under the new framework. The same changes decide the order in which treatment costs are paid: the auto insurer now pays for medical and rehabilitation care first, ahead of any extended health or employer plan. Our Toronto wrongful death lawyer team is fully up to date on these changes and ensures every available benefit is accessed.
Common causes
What is considered wrongful death and the common causes in Toronto
Many wrongful death cases arise from accidents and incidents that were entirely preventable. A death is considered wrongful when it is caused by someone else’s negligence, a negligent party’s failure to fulfill a duty of care, or deliberate harmful conduct. The common causes of wrongful death our lawyers handle throughout Toronto and Ontario include:
Motor vehicle accidents
Fatal accidents caused by distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and failure to yield are among the most common causes of wrongful death in Ontario. From the high-speed corridors of the 401 and DVP to residential streets across the GTA, families who have lost someone killed in a car accident or truck collision may be entitled to significant compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.Medical malpractice
Fatal errors in surgery, misdiagnosis, medication management, and failure to treat are all forms of medical malpractice that can give rise to a wrongful death claim. Medical malpractice wrongful death cases are among the most complex wrongful death cases our team handles, requiring specialized expert testimony and thorough review of medical records.Workplace deaths
Fatal construction site accidents, industrial incidents, and workplace negligence give rise to wrongful death claims against employers, contractors, and third parties whose negligence caused the death. These cases involve navigating corporate liability alongside a civil wrongful death lawsuit.Fatal falls and premises liability
Negligent property owners who fail to maintain safe premises are liable when their negligence causes a fatal accident. Depending on the circumstances, both private property owners and municipalities may be held liable.Fatal pedestrian and cycling accidents
Pedestrians and cyclists struck by negligent drivers face catastrophic and fatal injuries. Our wrongful death lawyers hold at-fault drivers and their insurers fully accountable for every loss flowing from a family member’s death caused by the negligent actions of another person.
Understanding the causes of wrongful death in your specific case is the first step toward building the strongest possible wrongful death lawsuit. Our legal team conducts a thorough liability investigation from the moment your family retains us.
Eligible family members
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Ontario
Under Ontario’s Family Law Act, certain family members are entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim following the death of a loved one. Family members who can pursue a wrongful death claim include:
- A spouse or partner of the deceased
- Children of the deceased, including adult children
- Grandchildren of the deceased
- Parents and grandparents of the deceased
- Siblings of the deceased
Each of these family members may recover compensation for the loss of care, guidance, and companionship that the deceased provided, as well as financial losses including lost income and loss of household services. Our wrongful death lawyer team identifies every eligible family member and pursues the maximum compensation available for each.
The deadlines start immediately
Two limitation clocks run from the day your family loses someone
The estate’s own claim cannot be brought more than two years after the date of death under section 38(3) of the Trustee Act, and there is no discoverability extension on that period. The family’s Family Law Act claims run on the basic two year period in the Limitations Act, 2002.
Insurance notice periods are far shorter. An accident benefits claim must be reported to the insurer within 7 days. Our wrongful death lawyers are available 24/7, and the first call costs nothing.
What NOT to do
What not to do after losing a loved one to wrongful death
Do not sign insurance releases or accept early offers
Following the death of a loved one, insurance companies may offer a death benefit payment accompanied by a release that waives your family’s right to file a wrongful death claim for far greater economic losses. Never sign anything without first consulting a wrongful death lawyer.Do not feel pressured by early settlements
Determining the true financial losses caused by a family member’s death takes time, and it means accounting for decades of lost income, loss of household services, and loss of guidance. Many wrongful death cases settle for amounts that vastly exceed initial insurance offers once the full economic picture is built.Do not communicate with the at-fault party or their insurer
All communications following a fatal accident should go through your legal counsel to protect the integrity of your wrongful death lawsuit.Do not miss the deadlines
In Ontario, more than one limitation period runs at the same time. The estate’s own claim cannot be brought more than two years after the date of death under section 38(3) of the Trustee Act, and the family’s Family Law Act claims run on the basic two year period in the Limitations Act, 2002. Insurance notice periods can be as short as 7 days. Contact us immediately following a fatal accident to ensure all deadlines are strictly met.
What to do now
What to do after losing a loved one to wrongful death
Obtain the coroner’s report
The coroner’s report is a critical piece of evidence establishing the cause of death for legal purposes. Our wrongful death lawyers secure this and all relevant police and investigation records on your family’s behalf.Gather the deceased’s financial records
Tax returns, pay stubs, and employment records are essential to calculating the loss of dependency claim, which is the financial support your family has lost due to another party’s negligence.Preserve all evidence
Photographs, dashcam footage, workplace incident reports, and medical records related to the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death should be preserved immediately.Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible
Contact our Toronto wrongful death lawyer team right away. The sooner we begin, the stronger your wrongful death case will be.
How we handle your case
How our Toronto wrongful death lawyers handle your case
Our wrongful death lawyers understand that every family is navigating unimaginable grief while facing serious financial and legal pressures. We take on the full legal burden so your family can focus on healing.
Step 1: Free Consultation
We meet with your family to understand the impact of the loss, the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, and the details of the fatal accident. We advise on your legal rights and the strength of your wrongful death claim with no obligation and no cost. Ready to schedule your free first consultation? Call us any time.Step 2: Liability Investigation
We work with accident reconstructionists, private investigators, and forensic experts to prove that the death was caused by the negligent conduct of another party. We secure police files, dashcam footage, workplace records, and witness statements to build an airtight liability case.Step 3: Economic Loss Analysis
We engage forensic accountants and economists to project the full career earnings trajectory of the deceased, the value of household services they provided, and every financial loss flowing from the death. This forms the foundation of the loss of income and loss of dependency claims, which are often the most significant component of wrongful death damages.Step 4: Negotiations with Insurance Companies
Our wrongful death lawyers handle all negotiations with insurance companies aggressively on your family’s behalf. We ensure that early settlement offers do not cause your family to accept far less than the financial support your family deserves.Step 5: Litigation and Recovery
Where a fair settlement cannot be reached, our law firm pursues full recovery through litigation at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Our personal injury law firm has recovered millions for wrongful death families across Ontario and is fully prepared to take complex wrongful death cases to trial.
Compensation
What wrongful death damages can your family recover
Our wrongful death lawyers pursue every head of wrongful death damages available under Ontario law:
Funeral and burial expenses
Immediate funding to cover the costs of a dignified service following the fatal accident.Loss of guidance, care, and companionship
Compensation for all family members for the loss of emotional support, love, and guidance the deceased provided.Loss of future income
The full economic value of the income the deceased would have earned to financially support their dependents.Loss of household services
The financial value of childcare, home maintenance, cooking, and other services the deceased provided.Out-of-pocket expenses
Recovery of medical costs and other expenses incurred between the fatal injuries and the date of death.Loss of inheritance
Compensation for the wealth the deceased would have accumulated had their life not been cut short by another person’s negligence.Aggravated and punitive damages
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as impaired driving causing a fatality, additional damages may be available.
Our legal team calculates every current and future financial loss so that the compensation your family receives truly reflects the full impact of losing a loved one due to another party’s negligence.
Case results
Recoveries for wrongful death families
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case turns on its specific facts, evidence, and the quality of legal representation.
$3,500,000: Fatal Highway Collision
Settlement for the spouse and children of a primary breadwinner killed by a commercial vehicle. The recovery included maximum compensation for loss of guidance, financial support, and future income.$1,200,000: Fatal Construction Accident
Recovered for a family following a workplace death. The case required navigating complex corporate negligence and occupational safety violations.$950,000: Pedestrian Fatality
Secured for the parents of a student struck by an impaired driver in North York. We successfully litigated for aggravated damages.
Why VC Lawyers
Why choose VC Lawyers as your wrongful death lawyer in Toronto
When a family is navigating the loss of a loved one, holding negligent parties accountable requires a wrongful death lawyer with the experience, resources, and compassion to handle complex wrongful death cases at the highest level.
Fatal Accident Specialists
We work with accident reconstructionists, forensic engineers, and private investigators to prove liability in every type of fatal accident, from motor vehicle collisions to workplace deaths and medical malpractice cases.Forensic Economic Expertise
Our legal team works with top economists and forensic accountants to calculate the full financial impact of the death, projecting decades of lost income, household services, and guidance.No Win, No Fee
We carry all costs of wrongful death litigation upfront, including expert witnesses, investigators, and economic analysts. You pay nothing until we recover compensation for your family.$30M+ Recovered for Families Across Ontario
Our track record of results in wrongful death cases and personal injury claims demonstrates our ability to obtain compensation for families even in the most complex circumstances.Compassionate 24/7 Support
We handle the legal burden completely so your family can focus on grieving. Our team is available around the clock throughout the entire process.Multilingual Team
We serve families in 8+ languages throughout Toronto and Ontario.
Key metrics
In the numbers
- Recovered for accident victims
- $30M+
- Personal injury cases handled
- 4,000+
- Years combined experience
- 70+
- Hotline availability
- 24/7
Our team
The lawyers who will handle your case
Avi Vaturi
Partner
Jae Hyon Cho
Co-Managing Partner
Jun Ki Lee
Lawyer
Allan Weiss
Lawyer
Kate Min Kwon
Immigration Consultant
RCIC R529664 · RQIC 11726
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions: Toronto Wrongful Death Lawyer
What is considered wrongful death in Ontario?
A death is considered wrongful when it results from another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional harmful conduct, including a fatal accident caused by a negligent driver, a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe premises, or medical malpractice. Due to another party’s failure to fulfill their duty of care, surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit and recover compensation for the full impact of their loss.Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Ontario?
Under Ontario’s Family Law Act, the spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and siblings of the deceased are all entitled to bring a wrongful death claim. Our wrongful death lawyers can help each eligible family member pursue the compensation they are owed.How long do we have to file a wrongful death claim?
Two deadlines run at the same time, and missing either one ends that claim. The surviving family members’ Family Law Act claims are governed by the basic two year limitation period in the Limitations Act, 2002, which runs from the day the claim is discovered. The estate’s own claim, the survival action for the losses the deceased suffered before death, is governed by section 38(3) of the Trustee Act: it cannot be brought more than two years after the date of death, and there is no discoverability extension on that period. Insurance notice periods are far shorter: an accident benefits claim must be reported to the insurer within 7 days of the accident. Contact us for a free consultation today so we can ensure every deadline is met before it is too late.What if the deceased was partially at fault?
Under Ontario’s Negligence Act, families may still recover compensation even if the deceased was partially responsible for the accident. The award will be adjusted based on the degree of fault, but depending on the circumstances, the family can still receive significant financial support. Responsible parties remain liable for their proportionate share of the loss.How much does a wrongful death lawsuit cost?
At VC Lawyers, our wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs. The first consultation is free, and you only pay us after we recover compensation for your family, whether through a settlement or a court award.What if the at-fault party has limited or no insurance?
Our wrongful death lawyers explore every available source of compensation: uninsured motorist coverage, employer liability, and third-party negligence claims. We do that so your family is not left without recourse following the loss of a loved one.
Where we work
Service areas
VC Lawyers serves clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Newmarket, and Aurora. We also represent clients across Ontario through video consultations and home/hospital visits when needed.
Languages spoken at the firm include English, Korean (한국어), Hebrew, Mandarin, and others depending on lawyer assignment.
Our office is located at 1110 Finch Avenue West, Suite 310, in North York, with parking and TTC access (Finch West subway and bus connections).
Why people choose VC Lawyers
The right firm handles everything so you can focus on recovery
Choosing the right personal injury law firm after an accident in Toronto can mean the difference between a lowball settlement and the full compensation you deserve.
/01
No Fees Unless We Win
Personal injury cases run on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront.
/02
Free Personal Injury Consultation
Speak with an injury lawyer today at zero cost. Other practice areas are quoted before we start.
/03
24/7 Emergency Hotline
We’re available around the clock when you need us most.
/04
Home & Hospital Visits
Too injured to come to us? We’ll come to you.
/05
Multilingual Legal Team
Services in 8 languages so nothing gets lost in translation.
/06
Boutique Firm, Big Results
You’re never just a case number. Get direct access to your lawyer.
Get in touch
Looking for legal help? Speak directly with a lawyer
Tell us what happened and a lawyer will personally review your case. Personal injury consultations are free and there are no fees unless we win. For all other practice areas, a consultation fee applies.
- $30M+ recovered for injury clients
- Available 24/7, including weekends
- Service in English, Korean, and 6+ more languages
Prefer to call? (416) 661-4529
Take the next step
Speak with a Compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident caused by someone else’s negligence anywhere in Toronto or Ontario, you do not have to face this alone. Our wrongful death lawyers can help your family understand your rights, file a wrongful death claim, and pursue every dollar of compensation your family is entitled to recover.We offer a free consultation today with absolutely no obligation. Contact us for a review of your wrongful death case. Our wrongful death lawyers are available around the clock. Let our experienced team carry this legal burden for you.
Related practice areas
Continue exploring
/01
Wrongful Death Lawyer in North York
The same practice, served from our office in North York.
/02
Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Toronto
Return to the catastrophic injury hub for serious injury practice areas.
/03
Toronto Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Traumatic brain injury claims for catastrophic head trauma.
/04
Toronto Spinal-Cord Injury Lawyer
Paralysis and severe spinal trauma claims.
/05
Toronto Amputation Lawyer
Catastrophic impairment SABS claims for amputees.
/06
Toronto Broken Bone Lawyer
Bone fracture and orthopedic injury claims.
/07
Toronto Burn Injury Lawyer
Severe burn injury claims and reconstructive care.
/08
Toronto Scarring & Disfigurement Lawyer
Permanent scarring and disfigurement compensation.
/09
Toronto Child Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic injury claims for injured children.
/10
Toronto Soft-Tissue Injury Lawyer
Whiplash, MIG, and chronic pain claims.
/11
Toronto Chronic Pain Lawyer
Chronic pain and CRPS claims when injuries become permanent.
/12
Toronto Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice claims for fatal medical errors.
/13
Toronto Hit & Run Lawyer
Recovery against uninsured and unidentified drivers in fatal accidents.
/14
Ontario SABS Accident Benefits Lawyer
Statutory accident benefits and survivor benefits for families.