Wrongful Death

Category: legal

A civil action brought by the family of a deceased person against the party responsible for the death.

This is a "survivor’s tort." It seeks compensation for the loss of the loved one’s future wages, companionship, and support. It is usually brought by a negligence or strict liability event (e.g., a fatal car accident or medical error).

Common Examples

• The family filed a wrongful death suit against the trucking firm, citing the driver’s documented fatigue as the fatal negligence.
• Wrongful death damages are calculated based on the lost lifetime earnings and the emotional value of the relationship to the family.