Wrongful Death Laws In Louisiana

As with personal injury, several state laws outline wrongful death and the process of seeking damages. To have a successful claim or lawsuit, you must follow the relevant statutes regarding who can file, filing deadlines, and the percentage of fault. First, however, it’s essential to understand what qualifies as wrongful death in Louisiana.

Defining Wrongful Death

A wrongful death may occur whenever someone commits negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct that results in another’s death. Wrongful death actions can arise from a wide variety of circumstances—essentially, any scenario that, had the victim survived, would have been grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. For example, some of the cases our firm handles include:

  • Traffic collisions
  • Maritime accidents
  • Medical negligence

A wrongful death case is quite similar to a personal injury case, except the deceased victim cannot pursue justice themselves. An Alexandria wrongful death lawyer from our team could help investigate the accident that led to your loved one’s death and represent surviving family members’ interests if there is a legally valid wrongful death case.

branded accent

Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

Get a Free Case Evaluation

How To Prove Fault in Wrongful Death Lawsuits

For a wrongful death case to be successful, you must be able to prove these four elements:

  • Breach of Duty: You must establish that the responsible party owed your loved one a duty of care and how their negligence breached the owed duty. For example, in a case of medical malpractice, all physicians owe a standard of care that they must uphold when providing care to a patient. Motorists have the duty to obey all traffic laws and drive safely.
  • Negligence: You must establish that your loved one’s death resulted from the defendant’s careless or negligent actions.
  • Causation: You must establish that negligence caused your loved one’s death.
  • Damages: You must be able to clearly show the range of damages that resulted from your loved one’s death.

Proving these elements requires compiling strong evidence from multiple sources. You may also need to interview witnesses or medical experts to obtain some of the evidence. A wrongful death attorney will be able to investigate all the facets of your case, obtain the required proof and strategically build a solid case based on facts. Choose someone from our legal team to be your personal representative.

Who Can Sue For Wrongful Death Damages In Alexandria?

According to CC Art. 2315.2, certain family members of a deceased individual may file wrongful death claims.

This can allow them to recover damages emanating from the loved one’s death. In Louisiana, the first priority for pursuing such an action lies with the surviving spouse and/or child.

If there is no surviving spouse or child, the right to bring a wrongful death action then defaults to the following family members, listed in order of priority:

  • Surviving parents
  • Surviving brothers and sisters
  • Surviving grandparents

The statute also provides that the right to bring a wrongful death case can be inherited.

However, inheriting that right does not impact the statute of limitations under CC Art. 2315.1, which states that any such action must be brought within one year of the deceased’s death.

Comparative Fault In Wrongful Death Cases

Louisiana is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that even if a deceased individual was partially at fault for their wrongful death, their surviving family can still potentially recover losses from other responsible parties. Under the legal theory of pure comparative negligence, the surviving family members of the deceased can recover compensation in a reduced amount proportionate to the decedent’s responsibility for the accident.

For example, if the decedent is adjudged to be 30% at fault for the accident that led to their death, the surviving family can recover only 70% of the total award. Furthermore, no amount of fault would disqualify someone from being eligible to seek recovery in Louisiana—even someone who is 99% at fault could recover damages. However, they would only be eligible to receive 1% of their total award.

Why You Should Consider Hiring Laborde Earles for Your Case

Our team offers over 350 years of combined experience and a wealth of legal services at no out-of-pocket cost so that the idea of attorney’s fees doesn’t keep you from seeking support. When we agree to a case, we take over every aspect and charge nothing unless you obtain compensation. We accept a percentage of the settlement or verdict if we succeed, which we outline during our free consultation. Having this fee structure means we will do our very best to secure your compensation by:

  • Collecting strong evidence of fault
  • Building a case that proves liability
  • Calculating the precise number of damages that you qualify to recover and backing this up with additional evidence
  • Representing your family throughout the case, from filing the paperwork and answering questions on your behalf to negotiating and fighting for you in court
  • Identifying laws that support your case and refuting attempts to place any blame on your family member

By handling these and other legal tasks for you, we hope to make the financial recovery process as smooth as possible and secure damages for your family.

branded accent

Damages Available in Wrongful Death Actions

Although no amount of money can bring loved ones back to their families, compensation can bring about closure and peace of mind to some extent. It can address some of the unexpected expenses that resulted from the death, which otherwise may bring financial harm to surviving family members. Wrongful death actions can also hold those individuals who wrongfully caused another’s death responsible for their actions. You can receive financial compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages:

  • Medical expenses incurred before death
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of current and future income
  • Value of the services that the decedent would’ve provided if alive

Non-economic damages:

  • Loss of care, companionship, and emotional support
  • Mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering

Punitive damages:

  • Punitive damages can be rewarded if the at-fault party acted in a willful or malicious way

Economic Damages

Economic damages describe the type of compensation that is used to cover out-of-pocket expenses related to the death of a loved one. These damages are intended to return the estate or surviving family to the financial position they found themselves in prior to the death of their loved one. Economic damages are objective in that they stem from specific monetary losses that have already occurred. That means it is possible to identify down to the last dollar what the value of a claim for economic compensation is.

Establishing the value of these damages can often be done through the use of documents like medical bills and funeral home receipts. These documents paint a clear picture of the economic cost of a wrongful death.

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic losses, non-economic losses are not so cut and dry. These damages compensate the surviving relatives for the subjective harm they suffered following the passing of their loved one. Because things like grief or pain are subjective, it is impossible to place an objective value on these damages.

There are no documents that establish what someone’s grief is worth. Instead, compensation for these damages is usually determined based on the testimony of a surviving relative.

Damage Caps

Louisiana places no caps on compensation in wrongful death lawsuits. While no two situations are the same, a successful wrongful death claim spearheaded by a wrongful death lawyer from our team in Alexandria may result in compensation for some or all the listed damages. However, there is one exception to be aware of. While most cases are not capped, damages are limited when medical malpractice results in an untimely death. This cap applies to all lawsuits involving mistakes made by medical professionals.

Unfortunately, the caps that apply to medical malpractice cases in Alexandria are more restrictive compared to most jurisdictions. There is a maximum recovery of $500,000 in these cases regardless of the true damages that occur.

woman hugging eachother

Common Types Of Wrongful Death Cases

Ultimately, any act of negligence that results in the death of another individual could result in a wrongful death lawsuit. However, there are some situations more likely than others to serve as the basis for wrongful death litigation. An attorney could help investigate these cases and advise when legal action is appropriate. Contact the following attorneys to get help with your specific wrongful death case:

The type of accident that results in a person’s death is not the most important factor. Ultimately, the primary issue in these cases is whether an act of negligence resulted in an untimely death.

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

I highly recommend hiring Laborde Earles for your personal injury needs. They have the most professional, friendly and communicative staff who are gua...

I highly recommend hiring Laborde Earles for your personal injury needs. They have the most professional, friendly and communicative staff who are guaranteed to work hard on your case and get the outcome you deserve. Brittani C. is one of the most organized, thorough and helpful paralegals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. She keeps you informed and answers all your questions throughout the litigation process.

P
Patrick Conner

Baton Rouge

Bridgette is absolutely phenomenal! She's one of the most professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated paralegals I've ever had the pleasure of working ...

Bridgette is absolutely phenomenal! She's one of the most professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated paralegals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Her attention to detail is unmatched.
She catches things most people would overlook, and she always makes sure every document is perfect before it leaves her hands.
Beyond her incredible skill set, Bridgette is also kind, reliable, and a true team player. She communicates clearly, stays organized under pressure, and goes above and beyond to make sure clients and attorneys alike feel supported.
You can tell she genuinely cares about her work and the people she helps.
If you're lucky enough to have Bridgette as your paralegal, you're in the best possible hands. Five stars isn't enough for someone this exceptional!

B
Brittany Johnson

Alexandria

Stephanie Brooks was wonderful to work with! She was very professional during our interaction and extremely pleasant throughout the entire process. He...

Stephanie Brooks was wonderful to work with! She was very professional during our interaction and extremely pleasant throughout the entire process. Her kindness and clear communication made everything smooth and easy. Highly recommend working with her and the Laborde Earles Law Firm!

J
Jenifer Leger Dendy

Lafayette

Elizabeth Lachney I absolutely hands down the best. She is very professional, knowledgeable and most importantly she is very respectful. She is one re...

Elizabeth Lachney I absolutely hands down the best. She is very professional, knowledgeable and most importantly she is very respectful. She is one reason why we use Laborde Earles Law Firm. They make you feel like family!

T
Tiffany Bardwell

New Iberia

Working with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers was an incredible experience from beginning to end. Jeanne and Kaitlyn were absolutely amazing - profession...

Working with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers was an incredible experience from beginning to end. Jeanne and Kaitlyn were absolutely amazing - professional and always on top of everything. They kept me informed throughout the entire process and made sure I understood every step along the way. My case was resolved better than expected. I can’t thank them enough.

M
Melody Johnson

New Orleans

Elizabeth Lachney was super helpful in explaining a lot of things i didnt understand about my case. Very respectful and seemed so welling to help me! ...

Elizabeth Lachney was super helpful in explaining a lot of things i didnt understand about my case. Very respectful and seemed so welling to help me! She is the best, I 1000% recommend her if you have any questions!

s
skylar bachman

New Iberia

Renee McCaslin goes above and beyond to help the clients. Her attention to detail is unmatched! Her kind heart and sweet spirit both go a long way in ...

Renee McCaslin goes above and beyond to help the clients. Her attention to detail is unmatched! Her kind heart and sweet spirit both go a long way in making you feel heard and cared for. And, she’s, like, really pretty!

S
Sylvia Roy

New Iberia

Working with Toni Stelly has been a great experience. She is compassionate and listens to me when I have a concern or need some information. Toni is q...

Working with Toni Stelly has been a great experience. She is compassionate and listens to me when I have a concern or need some information. Toni is quick to respond to my questions and gets things done!! Good experience working with this firm.

k
kelly

Lake Charles

I am able to witness Karely Cornwell handle calls from people who are in need of Laborde Earles services. She is always polite and professional. I thi...

I am able to witness Karely Cornwell handle calls from people who are in need of Laborde Earles services. She is always polite and professional. I think it’s safe to assume that the majority of people who call in are stressed and to have someone who is calm and kind taking the call is a great representation of the company.

D
Debbie Fontenot

Marksville

Toni is the absolute BEST!!!! Not only is she the best paralegal but she’s also the best person I know. She is so intelligent, knowledgeable, ca...

Toni is the absolute BEST!!!! Not only is she the best paralegal but she’s also the best person I know. She is so intelligent, knowledgeable, caring, and goes above and beyond for everyone in her life. She is a true gem! To know her is to love her!! Anybody would be lucky to have someone like Toni in their corner.

S
Sarah Jorden

Marksville

Syntera was Very professional and courteous. Answered my concerns.

L
Lisa G.

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking...

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Marsh today. She was extremely knowledgeable in addition to being patient and empathetic. She was able to provide me with the necessary resources and provided me with encouragement throughout the process. I definitely recommend Laborde Earls! Ask for Courtney!

M
Megan C.

Eryn Laughlin is a good employee, we love her!

a
anonymous

Car Accident

Jourdan is an outstanding paralegal! She is knowledgeable, organized, and truly cares about the clients she works with. Every interaction I’ve h...

Jourdan is an outstanding paralegal! She is knowledgeable, organized, and truly cares about the clients she works with. Every interaction I’ve had with her has been positive — she takes the time to explain things clearly and makes the process much less stressful. Laborde Earles Law Firm is lucky to have someone like Jourdan on their team. I would highly recommend both Jourdan and the firm to anyone looking for trustworthy and reliable legal support.

M
Matt Picard

New Orleans

At the very first meeting with Alexis and Danielle they took the time to explain everything to us so that we understood what we were going to go throu...

At the very first meeting with Alexis and Danielle they took the time to explain everything to us so that we understood what we were going to go through. They checked in on us to see how things were going with DR appointment and therapy. They checked in on the phone or by text and if I had a question and I was in Lafayette and I would stop by the office one of them would come to answer my questions. I truly appreciate the response and respect that they showed to me and my husband and I would really recommend them to family and friends.

H
Hazel G.

Michelle Brouillette is always so pleasant whenever I call or stop by the office. She always has a smile on her face.

C
Christine G.

Michelle Brouillette is a wonderful addition to the Laborde Earles team.

M
Melanie B.

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking...

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Marsh today. She was extremely knowledgeable in addition to being patient and empathetic. She was able to provide me with the necessary resources and provided me with encouragement throughout the process. I definitely recommend Laborde Earls! Ask for Courtney!

M
Megan Couvillon

Alexandria

Courtney Marsh is professional and passionate about her clients! Her communication skills are top notch and she has been amazing to work with! She is ...

Courtney Marsh is professional and passionate about her clients! Her communication skills are top notch and she has been amazing to work with! She is truly a blessing!

T
Tori E.

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to det...

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of reliability. Jillie consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everything is handled efficiently and with care. Her knowledge and work ethic make her an outstanding professional, and I would highly recommend her!

j
jazlynn meece

Baton Rouge

I highly recommend Alexis Davis and this lawfirm. She is the true definition of professionalism, respect, understanding, patient, and many other thing...

I highly recommend Alexis Davis and this lawfirm. She is the true definition of professionalism, respect, understanding, patient, and many other things. Her detailed skills are very delightful. She goes out of her way to check on us, make sure we don't have any questions, and she is always on point. She moves very quick and always goes above and beyond for us to make sure we understand the process. I am so glad I ran into Laborde Earles and Alexis. Everyone will know about this company for sure and Alexis

R
R.S.

Lafayette

I was very pleased with the attention and detail that was given by Karely with Laborde Earle’s Injury lawyers. She answered all of my questions ...

I was very pleased with the attention and detail that was given by Karely with Laborde Earle’s Injury lawyers. She answered all of my questions and concerns, and her professionalism was top notch. Her phone etiquette, and calm and caring attitude was outstanding.

G
Gail

Baton Rouge

Trudy Dupuy is a wonderful asset to the team. She does an amazing job.

A
Annabelle D.

Renee McCaslin is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and always goes above and beyond to make the legal process smooth and stress-free. I truly a...

Renee McCaslin is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and always goes above and beyond to make the legal process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate her attention to detail and genuine care for her clients!

C
Courtnie Heltz

New Orleans

Love Laborde Earle's. They're dependable lawyers that let you know you can trust them. I would specifically recommend Derek Hebert. He's a great attor...

Love Laborde Earle's. They're dependable lawyers that let you know you can trust them. I would specifically recommend Derek Hebert. He's a great attorney who is extremely knowledgeable and you'll never doubt that he'll get the job done!

K
Kaitlin H.

Over the past 3 years I have encountered one of the best Law Firms in Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers which have been handling my Lejeune Contaminated T...

Over the past 3 years I have encountered one of the best Law Firms in Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers which have been handling my Lejeune Contaminated Toxic Water Claim. Mr. John Chaillot has been instrumental in advising me on documentation, timelines, and all matters pertaining to my case. A true professional and appreciated. Thank you.

S
Stephan C.

Mr. DC and Amber have always been available to answer my questions and concerns. I have never doubted that they were working on our side and have had ...

Mr. DC and Amber have always been available to answer my questions and concerns. I have never doubted that they were working on our side and have had our best interest and our well being as a priority. I would recommend them to friends and family. My case had some extenuating circumstances and they both worked diligently to help us. I am very thankful for their service and dedication to us.

M
Michel Lanclos

New Orleans

Courtney Marsh has a positive attitude and great attention to detail in her work!

R
Rhonda C.

Toni at LE is seriously so dedicated and a hard worker! LE is lucky to have this chick. She's so sweet but a little spicy (in a good, funny way!) whic...

Toni at LE is seriously so dedicated and a hard worker! LE is lucky to have this chick. She's so sweet but a little spicy (in a good, funny way!) which is always a breath of fresh air to be around someone who is genuine. She's a doll and anyone who comes into contact with her is a lucky one!

H
Hannah Johnson

Baton Rouge

I highly recommend Derek Hebert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy attorney. From the very beginning, Derek was professional, honest, and ...

I highly recommend Derek Hebert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy attorney. From the very beginning, Derek was professional, honest, and incredibly responsive. He took the time to explain every step of the process in clear terms and always made sure I felt informed and supported.

His attention to detail, strong communication, and genuine dedication made a stressful situation much easier to navigate. Derek went above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome, and I’m truly grateful for his hard work.

If you’re looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, reliable, and truly cares about his clients, Derek Hebert is an outstanding choice.

B
Brylan Cormier

Lafayette

I’m so grateful for the help I received from Renee McCaslin. From start to finish, they were kind, professional, and truly cared about my situat...

I’m so grateful for the help I received from Renee McCaslin. From start to finish, they were kind, professional, and truly cared about my situation. They made everything easy to understand and handled every detail with care. I felt supported the whole way through. I highly recommend Renee McCaslin to anyone looking for a paralegal who goes above and beyond.

R
Rosann Roberts

Lake Charles

I just want to say that Kelby is a wonderful Attorney and will do what ever it takes to make sure you are taking care of. And his Team of Paralegal's,...

I just want to say that Kelby is a wonderful Attorney and will do what ever it takes to make sure you are taking care of. And his Team of Paralegal's, Amber, Toni, Debbie, Alana & Erica are absolutely amazing. You couldn't have ask for better. And to Rachael, she was so sweet the other day when I needed some information about when my advance was going to be ready. Thank you Laborde Earle's Law Firm for always being the Best.

L
Lauren O'Quinn

New Orleans

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs...

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs. Courtney. I spoke with her multiple times, and each time she was patient and answered every question I had. She made me feel like I was the only client. Grateful for her and Laborde Earls!

T
Tracie Martin

Alexandria

I had the pleasure of working with Erica Ducote, and I cannot say enough about the excellent job she did on my case. From the very beginning, Erica wa...

I had the pleasure of working with Erica Ducote, and I cannot say enough about the excellent job she did on my case. From the very beginning, Erica was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive to every detail. She took the time to explain each step of the process, answered all of my questions thoroughly, and made sure I always felt supported and informed.
Her dedication and attention to detail were clear throughout, and it was evident she genuinely cared about achieving the best possible outcome. Thanks to Erica’s hard work and expertise, my case went smoothly and successfully.
I highly recommend Erica Ducote to anyone in need of a skilled, reliable, and compassionate paralegal. She truly goes above and beyond!

m
maddie jo

Marksville

They have good to keep me updated on the case but so far the settlement has not been reached.

L
Lisa S.

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. He...

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. Her communication is clear, and she truly cares about delivering results. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

M
Mimi

Lake Charles

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs...

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs. Courtney. I spoke with her multiple times, and each time she was patient and answered every question I had. She made me feel like I was the only client. Grateful for her and Laborde Earls!

T
Tracie M.

Jordan is a wonderful paralegal very sweet and helpful good job very professional hold on to her she is a asset to your firm hard worker. Thank you fo...

Jordan is a wonderful paralegal very sweet and helpful good job very professional hold on to her she is a asset to your firm hard worker. Thank you for all your hard work to all the people working on our case.

S
Sandi W.

I had an amazing experience working with my paralegal, Wesley Guillory, at Laborde Earles Law Firm. Wesley went above and beyond for me throughout the...

I had an amazing experience working with my paralegal, Wesley Guillory, at Laborde Earles Law Firm. Wesley went above and beyond for me throughout the entire process. He was always patient, knowledgeable, and quick to respond to any questions I had. What stood out most was how genuinely he cared. He made sure I understood every step and always made me feel supported and informed.

Wesley’s professionalism and compassion truly set him apart. He made a stressful situation so much easier, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of his hard work. I highly recommend Wesley and the entire Laborde Earles team. They really do put their clients first.

J
Jaine Fisher

Lafayette

Over 1,700 5-Star Reviews

Read More Testimonials

How Much Is a Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

Multiple variables go into the value of a case. 

Along with calculating the economic and non-economic damages, the court will also consider other factors, such as:

  • The plaintiff’s life expectancy
  • The closeness between the plaintiff and the deceased
  • The deceased income that was available to the surviving family members
  • The value of services that the decedent provided to their family members

A wrongful death lawyer can identify the broad range of damages and assign a value to your fair value to your care that accurately reflects the full extent of your losses.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Louisiana

Every state gives you a timeframe within which you must take legal action. This timeframe varies by state and the nature of the crime. Louisiana’s statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is one year from the date of the deceased’s death. This means you have one year from when your loved one died to file a wrongful death suit with our law firm.

If you try to pursue legal action after this deadline, the court may dismiss your case, and you will lose out on your opportunity to obtain justice or compensation from the one responsible for your loved one’s death. We recommend that you pursue legal action as soon as possible so you can bring your case justice and your family some peace of mind, knowing that those at fault are held accountable.

What Does a Wrongful Death Lawyer Cost?

The surviving family of a deceased person often faces sudden and unexpected financial hardship. This can make the thought of hiring an attorney to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit seem unfeasible. The good news is that an attorney could represent your interests with no upfront cost to you.

Wrongful death lawyers operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means they take your case with the promise that they will retain a portion of your settlement as their fee. Should they not recover anything on your behalf, you will not owe them a fee at all.

Seek Professional Help With an Alexandria Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If you are entitled to compensation, you should strongly consider exploring the possibility of bringing a wrongful death claim or lawsuit in your situation. When you feel ready to do so, contact the attorneys at Laborde Earles to speak with an Alexandria wrongful death lawyer. Our law firm will handle everything regarding the legal process, and we will negotiate a fair settlement for your personal injury claim.

If that’s not possible, we will advance with a lawsuit and fight for justice and rightful compensation in court for you. In addition to handling wrongful death cases in Alexandria, our team at Laborde Earles also serves families in the surrounding communities of Rapides Parish. Our Alexandria office is located on Versailles Boulevard and is ready to offer your complimentary case assessment today.

Our Locations Find Your Local Office

Get Legal Help Today Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

25+ Attorneys Collaboration on every case

Call Anytime Speak to our local team 24/7

(318) 777-7777
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
Send Message
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (318) 777-7777.