Barrigada Wrongful Death Lawyer — HellaHurt Guam
Injured in Barrigada, Guam? HellaHurt's licensed Guam wrongful death attorneys fight for full compensation for your documented losses for victims throughout Barrigada and the entire island. Free case evaluation. No fees unless we win. Call (800) 671-5949.
About Barrigada (Pop. ~9,000)
Barrigada is a central village adjacent to Tiyan, the former Naval Air Station site now home to Guam's commercial airport (A.B. Won Pat International). The village experiences heavy traffic from airport access roads and Route 16.
Local Legal Insight: Barrigada borders the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, and Route 16 through the village sees heavy commercial and airport traffic, contributing to frequent vehicle accidents.
Guam Traffic Safety: By the Numbers
According to the NHTSA Guam Highway Safety Plan (2024), Guam recorded 9,109 total crashes in 2022, resulting in 686 serious injuries and 14 fatalities. Despite Guam's relatively small population of approximately 153,000, the island's crash rate per capita is significantly higher than the U.S. mainland average — driven by narrow two-lane roads, high tourist traffic, and limited highway infrastructure.
Key facts about Guam personal injury law that affect your case:
- Government Claims Act limits: For a covered Government of Guam tort claim, 5 GCA § 6301(b) states that the government, in the case of line agencies, “shall be liable in tort for not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) in an action for wrongful death, nor for more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) in any other tort action.” The applicable claim path and limits depend on the defendant and facts; do not apply this government-claim rule to every private-party claim.
- Government claim procedure: 5 GCA § 6106(a) states, “All claims under this Act must be filed within 18 months from the date the claim arose.” Section 6106(b) provides separate action deadlines after a rejection or no rejection, and § 6209 states, “Trial shall be without a jury.” Prompt, case-specific review is important.
- Modified comparative fault: Guam follows modified comparative negligence under 18 GCA § 90108. You may recover only if your own negligence was not as great as the negligence of the party you are suing — in practice, you must be less than 50% at fault. A plaintiff found exactly 50% responsible recovers nothing. If you clear that bar, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault: 20% at fault on $100,000 of damages means $80,000.
One detail that matters in multi-defendant cases: § 90108 compares your negligence to that of "the person" you are recovering from — singular — not to the combined fault of all defendants. - Statute of limitations: a Guam wrongful death action must be filed within two years of the date of death (7 GCA § 11306(a)). Where the victim survived the accident for a period before dying, the clock runs from death, not from the accident.
Governing statute: Guam's wrongful death action is created by 7 GCA § 12109. Section 12109(b) sets out who may sue: the decedent's heirs under 15 GCA Division 3; a putative spouse, stepchildren or parents who were dependent on the decedent; and a minor who lived in the decedent's household for the 180 days before death and depended on the decedent for at least half of their support.
Survival action: separately, 19 GCA § 31104 allows the estate to pursue claims the decedent held at death — but Guam's survival statute permits no recovery for the decedent's pain and suffering and no punitive damages, which is a significant difference from California.
If the defendant is the Government of Guam: the Government Claims Act deadlines and caps below apply instead of the ordinary rules.
Guam Wrongful Death Law
Statute of limitations: a Guam wrongful death action must be filed within two years of the date of death (7 GCA § 11306(a)). Where the victim survived the accident for a period before dying, the clock runs from death, not from the accident.
Governing statute: Guam's wrongful death action is created by 7 GCA § 12109. Section 12109(b) sets out who may sue: the decedent's heirs under 15 GCA Division 3; a putative spouse, stepchildren or parents who were dependent on the decedent; and a minor who lived in the decedent's household for the 180 days before death and depended on the decedent for at least half of their support.
Survival action: separately, 19 GCA § 31104 allows the estate to pursue claims the decedent held at death — but Guam's survival statute permits no recovery for the decedent's pain and suffering and no punitive damages, which is a significant difference from California.
If the defendant is the Government of Guam: the Government Claims Act deadlines and caps below apply instead of the ordinary rules.
Why Choose HellaHurt for Your Barrigada Wrongful Death Case?
- Licensed Guam attorney: Morgan D. Ross (CA Bar #270650) is licensed in both California and Guam. Robert B. Salgado (CA Bar #297391) is admitted to practice in California.
- Island-wide representation: We handle cases throughout all villages and municipalities in Guam
- Free AI-powered case evaluation: Get answers in minutes with our free AI Case Check
- No fees unless we win: Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you
- Federal claim expertise: Experienced in Jones Act, Defense Base Act, and standard Guam personal injury claims
What to Do After a wrongful death claim in Barrigada
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine. Some injuries (traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding) have delayed symptoms. Medical records are critical evidence.
- Call the Guam Police Department — get an official police report. For accidents on military bases, contact the base military police.
- Document the scene — photos of vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and any contributing factors before they change.
- Get witness information — names and contact information for anyone who saw the incident.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other party's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.
- Contact HellaHurt — call (800) 671-5949 or start a free AI case check. Time limits are strict in Guam.
Guam Wrongful Death and Survival Actions
Statute of limitations: a Guam wrongful death action must be filed within two years of the date of death (7 GCA § 11306(a)). Where the victim survived the accident for a period before dying, the clock runs from death, not from the accident.
Governing statute: Guam's wrongful death action is created by 7 GCA § 12109. Section 12109(b) sets out who may sue: the decedent's heirs under 15 GCA Division 3; a putative spouse, stepchildren or parents who were dependent on the decedent; and a minor who lived in the decedent's household for the 180 days before death and depended on the decedent for at least half of their support.
Survival action: separately, 19 GCA § 31104 allows the estate to pursue claims the decedent held at death — but Guam's survival statute permits no recovery for the decedent's pain and suffering and no punitive damages, which is a significant difference from California.
If the defendant is the Government of Guam: the Government Claims Act deadlines and caps below apply instead of the ordinary rules.
Free Case Evaluation
- Start your free AI case check →
- Call (800) 671-5949
- No fees unless we win
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Guam?
Statute of limitations: a Guam wrongful death action must be filed within two years of the date of death (7 GCA § 11306(a)). Where the victim survived the accident for a period before dying, the clock runs from death, not from the accident.
Governing statute: Guam's wrongful death action is created by 7 GCA § 12109. Section 12109(b) sets out who may sue: the decedent's heirs under 15 GCA Division 3; a putative spouse, stepchildren or parents who were dependent on the decedent; and a minor who lived in the decedent's household for the 180 days before death and depended on the decedent for at least half of their support.
Survival action: separately, 19 GCA § 31104 allows the estate to pursue claims the decedent held at death — but Guam's survival statute permits no recovery for the decedent's pain and suffering and no punitive damages, which is a significant difference from California.
If the defendant is the Government of Guam: the Government Claims Act deadlines and caps below apply instead of the ordinary rules.
Does Guam follow comparative fault rules?
Guam follows modified comparative negligence under 18 GCA § 90108. You may recover only if your own negligence was not as great as the negligence of the party you are suing — in practice, you must be less than 50% at fault. A plaintiff found exactly 50% responsible recovers nothing. If you clear that bar, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault: 20% at fault on $100,000 of damages means $80,000.
One detail that matters in multi-defendant cases: § 90108 compares your negligence to that of "the person" you are recovering from — singular — not to the combined fault of all defendants.
Can I sue a government entity for my wrongful death injuries in Guam?
Yes, but you must file an administrative claim within 18 months after the claim arises under the Guam Government Claims Act (5 GCA § 6106). HellaHurt handles government liability claims throughout Guam.
Does HellaHurt handle Jones Act and Defense Base Act claims in Barrigada?
Yes. HellaHurt handles Jones Act claims for maritime workers and Defense Base Act (DBA) claims for military contractors and civilian workers injured on U.S. military bases in Guam. These federal claims have different rules than standard personal injury cases.