Wrongful death in Phoenix: a plain guide for families, and how to find a lawyer

Last checked November 8, 2026

We are sorry for your loss. In Arizona, a wrongful death lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of the death.1 If a public agency may be responsible, a claim is due in 180 days.2 Certified death certificates come from Maricopa County Vital Registration, 602-506-6805, at $20 a copy.3

See if you are owed money

$0 upfront. No fee unless you win.
Road map of Phoenix in Maricopa County, where the county Medical Examiner reviews deaths from violence and non-natural deaths
Phoenix family? A wrongful death claim generally has a 2-year limit. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What do Phoenix families need to do first?

You do not have to do everything today. Most of this can wait until you have had time with your family. Only a few things have dates, and they are listed below. Someone you trust can help with the calls.

  1. Order certified death certificates when you are ready. Maricopa County's Office of Vital Registration is at 602-506-6805, and each certified copy is $20.3 Banks, insurers and courts usually each want one.
  2. If the Medical Examiner is involved, ask for the case number. It makes every later call easier.
  3. Save what you have: photos, messages, bills, and any papers from the hospital or police.
  4. Write down the names of anyone who was with your loved one, while you remember them.

Why is the Medical Examiner involved after a death in Phoenix?

Arizona law sends certain deaths to the county Medical Examiner, including deaths from violence and non-natural deaths.4 It can feel hard to have another office involved. The Medical Examiner's job is to find the cause, and the report is often an important record for a family.

  • The office works by appointment only. Most business can be done by phone at 602-506-3322.5
  • A Family Advocate is there to help you, at (602) 506-3176.6
  • If the cause is still pending, a death certificate marked pending is legal proof of death. Some insurers will accept it, though they may ask for more.7
  • The office aims to finish 90% of its reports within 90 days. Some take longer.8
  • The report is free if you are legal next of kin, and free to anyone who asks for an electronic copy.9 It can include hard details, so you may want someone with you when you read it.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Phoenix?

Arizona lets a surviving spouse, child, parent or guardian, or the personal representative of the estate, file the claim. It is brought for the spouse, children or parents, or for the estate if none of them survive.10 A claim is possible when a wrongful act or carelessness caused the death, in the same way the person could have sued if they had lived.11

If you need to be named personal representative, Maricopa County Superior Court has self-service forms. They are for cases where the person died more than 120 hours ago but less than 2 years ago, with limited exceptions.12 A lawyer can tell you whether you need this step.

How long does a family have to file in Phoenix?

If the person or company responsible isTime limit
A person or a private companyGenerally 2 years from the date of death1
A public agency or public employeeA claim within 180 days2
A public agency, if you later sueA lawsuit within one year13

If a City of Phoenix vehicle or a city street may have been involved, the claim goes to the City Clerk Department.14 We know this is a lot to think about. If a public agency could be involved, it helps to ask someone early, so the 180 days does not pass while your family is grieving.

How can a Phoenix family get the crash or hospital records?

If your loved one died in a crash, the report depends on the road. On city streets, it is held by Phoenix Police, and you can request it through the portal under Traffic Crash.1516 For freeways, it comes from Arizona DPS, which asks you to wait at least 14 days.1718 County Sheriff reports for fatal crashes are not available online.19

Valleywise Health's records office is at (602) 344-5266.20 Banner Health records are requested through MRO Patient Central.21 Each hospital may ask you to show that you have the right to the records, so have the death certificate and any court papers with you.

What if the death happened at a job in Phoenix?

Families may be able to claim death benefits through the Industrial Commission of Arizona, using Form 120.22 The Phoenix office is at (602) 542-4661.23 If someone outside the job caused the death, a separate claim may also be possible.

How do you choose a wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix?

There is no need to decide right away, and it is fine to talk to more than one person. An Arizona jury decides what amount is fair for a family's loss, so no one can tell you a number in advance.24 A good first talk is mostly listening.

  • Ask who will be your contact, and how often you will hear from them.
  • Ask whether a public agency could be involved, and what the first date is.
  • Ask who will handle the probate step, if you need one.
  • Ask about costs, and ask to see the agreement in writing before you sign.

Questions

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Phoenix?

Generally two years from the date of death.1 If a public agency may be responsible, a claim is due within 180 days.2

Where do I get a death certificate in Phoenix?

From Maricopa County's Office of Vital Registration, 602-506-6805, at $20 per certified copy.3

Who can file for a wrongful death in Arizona?

A surviving spouse, child, parent or guardian, or the personal representative of the estate.10

How do I get the Medical Examiner's report?

Call 602-506-3322.5 It is free for legal next of kin and for electronic copies.9

Find out if you are owed money.

A free case review. $0 upfront. No fee unless you win.

See if I’m owed money

Keep reading

Phoenix

Wrongful death

Arizona

Sources

  1. A.R.S. § 12-542(2), checked 2026-11-08. “2. For injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries, which action shall be considered as accruing at the death of the party injured.”
  2. A.R.S. § 12-821.01(A), checked 2026-11-08. “Any claim that is not filed within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues is barred and no action may be maintained thereon.”
  3. Maricopa County Public Health, Vital Records, checked 2026-11-08. “$20 per certified copy / $30 for corrections and major changes”
  4. Maricopa County, Office of the Medical Examiner FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Death occurring in a suspicious, unusual or non-natural manner”
  5. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, checked 2026-11-08. “Please contact OME at 602-506-3322 for assistance or to schedule an in-person appointment.”
  6. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “Family Advocate: (602) 506-3176”
  7. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “death certificate is legal proof of death.”
  8. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “The OME strives to complete 90% of reports within 90 days.”
  9. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “There is no fee to obtain a copy of the report if you are legal next of kin or if you request an electronic report.”
  10. A.R.S. § 12-612(A), checked 2026-11-08. “An action for wrongful death shall be brought by and in the name of the surviving husband or wife, child, parent or guardian, or personal representative of the deceased person for and on behalf of the surviving husband or wife, children or parents, or if none of these survive, on behalf of the decedent's estate.”
  11. A.R.S. § 12-611, checked 2026-11-08. “When death of a person is caused by wrongful act, neglect or default, and the act, neglect or default is such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the party injured to maintain an action to recover damages in respect thereof, then, and in every such case, the person who or the corporation which would have been liable if death had not ensued shall be liable to an action for damages”
  12. Maricopa County Superior Court, Appointment of Personal Representative, checked 2026-11-08. “The person died more than 120 hours ago, but less than 2 years ago”
  13. A.R.S. § 12-821, checked 2026-11-08. “shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues and not afterward”
  14. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “Be filed with the City Clerk Department within 180 days after the cause of action accrues,”
  15. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “If the report you are requesting was the result of a collision that occurred on a town, city or county road, contact the law enforcement agency in that jurisdiction.”
  16. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “The following 10 options are available on the portal to submit Public Record requests:”
  17. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “maintains records for collisions (accidents) that were investigated by DPS Troopers occurring on an Interstate or State Highway”
  18. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “Please wait at least 14 days to check on report availability”
  19. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Report Request, checked 2026-11-08. “Allow seven (7) business days after the accident for the report to be uploaded.”
  20. valleywisehealth.org, checked 2026-11-08. “Contact our Release of Information office at (602) 344-5266.”
  21. Banner Health, Patient Medical Records, checked 2026-11-08. “you can request your medical records from any Banner Health hospital, provider office, or urgent care location.”
  22. Industrial Commission of Arizona, checked 2026-11-08. “Dependent Benefits Claim Form - 120”
  23. Industrial Commission of Arizona, checked 2026-11-08. “Phoenix: 800 W Washington St, Phoenix AZ 85007 - Phone: (602) 542-4661”
  24. A.R.S. § 12-613, checked 2026-11-08. “In an action for wrongful death, the jury shall give such damages as it deems fair and just with reference to the injury resulting from the death to the surviving parties who may be entitled to recover”

Editorial policy

See if I’m owed moneyNo fee unless you win
AccidentsCitiesStatesGuides
See if I’m owed money