Wrongful death in Scottsdale: what families can do, and how to find a lawyer when you are ready

Last checked November 8, 2026

We are sorry for your loss. In Scottsdale, a wrongful death lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of the death.1 A claim against a public agency is due within 180 days.2 Maricopa County's Medical Examiner is at 602-506-3322,3 and certified death certificates come from Vital Registration at $20 a copy.4

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Quiet road map of central Scottsdale showing Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard, for families looking for records after a loss
A claim against a public agency is due within 180 days. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What do I need to do first after a death in Scottsdale?

Nothing has to happen today. There is no form on this page that must be filled out before you have rested. When you are ready, a few calls can spare you trouble later.

Deaths from violence and other non-natural causes go to the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, under Arizona law.5 Most business with that office can be done by phone at 602-506-3322, and visits are by appointment.3 The office has a Family Advocate at (602) 506-3176 who can talk with you, answer questions and offer support.6

A Medical Examiner report can take time. The office aims to finish 90% of reports within 90 days.7 It is free for legal next of kin, and free to anyone who asks for an electronic copy.8 While a cause is still pending, a pending death certificate is legal proof of death, and some insurers accept it.9

How do I get a death certificate in Scottsdale?

The county's Office of Vital Registration provides certified copies at $20 each. Call 602-506-6805, or write to PO Box 2111, Phoenix 85001.4 Your funeral home can often order them for you. Ask for several, because banks, insurers and courts may each want their own.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Scottsdale?

Arizona lets a surviving spouse, child, parent or guardian, or the personal representative of the estate, file the claim for the spouse, children or parents, or for the estate if none survive.10 The basis is simple to say and hard to live with: if the person could have sued had they lived, the family can bring the claim.11

A court appointment may be needed to act for the estate. Maricopa Superior Court has self-service informal probate forms for appointing a personal representative, when the person died more than 120 hours ago but less than 2 years ago, with limited exceptions.12 If more than one relative wants to bring the claim, talk it over early, because the claim is brought for the family members the law names.

Where is the police report for a fatal crash in Scottsdale?

Where it happenedWho holds the reportWhat to know
A Scottsdale streetScottsdale Police Records, 480-312-1999Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.13 Victims of a crime get priority.14
Loop 101 or another state highwayArizona DPSWait at least 14 days before checking.15
County landMaricopa County SheriffFatal crash reports are not online.16

A serious case can take longer. If the death was from a crime, ask Records whether your family qualifies for a free copy of the report and body camera video.17 A lawyer can also request these for you, so you do not have to read them alone.

How often do fatal crashes happen in Scottsdale?

You are not alone in this. ADOT counted 15 people killed in Scottsdale crashes in 2024.18 The city recorded 22 traffic deaths over 2023 and 2024, and half of those involved people walking or biking.1920 Scottsdale Road and Shea tied for the most crashes that killed or badly hurt someone at any intersection.21 Those numbers cannot say what happened to your family, but they can help show a road with a history.

How long does a family have to file in Scottsdale?

If the responsible party isDeadline
A driver, a company or another personGenerally 2 years, counted from the date of death1
A public agency or employeeA claim within 180 days2, then one year to sue22
An employer, for a job deathA workers' comp claim is usually the path, using Form 12023

If a city vehicle or a city road may have played a part, the 180 days is the one to watch. Ask Safety and Risk Management for the Notice of Claim form.24 Confirm with the City Clerk at 480-312-2412 where it goes.25 A Valley Metro bus has its own claims office.26 Someone can do this for you while you take care of your family.

What can a wrongful death claim pay for in Scottsdale?

An Arizona jury decides what amount is fair for the family's loss.27 Nobody can tell you a number ahead of time, and no number can measure the person you lost. A claim can be about medical bills, funeral costs and lost income. It can also be about answers: what happened, who was responsible, and whether it could have been prevented.

What should a family ask a wrongful death lawyer in Scottsdale?

  • Who in our family can bring this claim?
  • Will a public agency's 180-day deadline apply?
  • Can you request the reports so we do not have to?
  • How do you handle fees, and when would we pay?
  • How will you keep us informed without asking us to relive this every week?

Questions

How long do we have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Scottsdale?

Generally two years from the date of death.1 A public agency claim is due within 180 days.2

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Arizona?

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

Is the Medical Examiner's report free?

It is free for legal next of kin, and free to anyone who asks for an electronic copy.8

Where can I get a death certificate in Maricopa County?

From the Office of Vital Registration at 602-506-6805, $20 per certified copy.4

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Scottsdale

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, Medical Examiner, checked 2026-11-08. “Most business with OME can be conducted over the phone.”
  4. Maricopa County, Vital Records, checked 2026-11-08. “$20 per certified copy”
  5. Maricopa County, Medical Examiner FAQ, checked 2026-11-08. “Death occurring in a suspicious, unusual or non-natural manner”
  6. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “The Family Advocate is available to speak with families, answer questions, and provide emotional support and resources.”
  7. 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.”
  8. 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.”
  9. Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “death certificate is legal proof of death”
  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 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. Scottsdale Police, Records Request, checked 2026-11-08. “Phone: 480-312-1999 - Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.”
  14. Scottsdale Police, Records Request, checked 2026-11-08. “priority given to requests from victims and government entities”
  15. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “Please wait at least 14 days to check on report availability”
  16. 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.”
  17. Scottsdale Police, Records Request, checked 2026-11-08. “one copy of the police report and on-body camera recording is available free of charge pursuant to ARS § 39-127”
  18. ADOT, 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, checked 2026-11-08. “| Scottsdale | 4,219 | 15 | 1,421 | 2,783 | 15 | 2,113 | 226 | 6 | 128 |”
  19. City of Scottsdale, 2024 Traffic Volume and Collision Report, checked 2026-11-08. “Twenty-two (22) total traffic fatalities were recorded in 2023 and 2024”
  20. City of Scottsdale, 2024 Traffic Volume and Collision Report, checked 2026-11-08. “three (3) bicycle related collision and eight (8) crashes”
  21. City of Scottsdale, 2024 Traffic Volume and Collision Report, checked 2026-11-08. “SCOTTSDALE SHEA 72,900 3 1.5 0.056 1”
  22. A.R.S. § 12-821, checked 2026-11-08. “shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues and not afterward”
  23. Industrial Commission of Arizona, Injured Worker, checked 2026-11-08. “Dependent Benefits Claim Form - 120”
  24. City of Scottsdale, Safety and Risk Management, checked 2026-11-08. “will provide a Notice of Claim form upon request”
  25. City of Scottsdale, City Clerk, checked 2026-11-08. “3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd Scottsdale, AZ 85251”
  26. Valley Metro, Notice of Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Valley Metro Attention: Risk Management 101 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 1300 Phoenix, AZ 85003”
  27. 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”

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