This is a common question and one that affects a number of potential wrongful death claims. Unlike a criminal case brought on by the state of California like homicide, wrongful death claims are civil lawsuits brought by surviving family members or a representative of the deceased’s estate. And while a conviction in a criminal case results in jail or prison time, it does not reward the family with any financial compensation. For that, the family must file a wrongful death lawsuit in tandem with the criminal case. These cases do not have to be filed together as long as the wrongful death one is filed within the statute of limitations.