How Does Louisiana Law Define Wrongful Death?

In Louisiana, a wrongful death is defined as a death that occurs due to the wrongful act, negligence, fault, breach of contract, or warranty of any person or entity. This includes instances where the act, negligence, or fault would have entitled the party injured to sue for damages had they not died.

This legal provision allows the decedent’s surviving family members or beneficiaries to file a lawsuit for financial relief against those responsible for their relative’s wrongful passing. 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Lake Charles?

Louisiana’s wrongful death laws authorize legal action when a party’s negligence directly results in another person’s wrongful passing. Under this statute, individuals have a right to bring a suit for a death caused by negligence based on their relationship to the person who died.

A Lake Charles wrongful death attorney can help the following eligible parties’ lawsuit:

  • Surviving spouse or child
  • Surviving parent if there is no surviving spouse or child
  • Surviving sibling if there is no surviving spouse, child, or parent
  • Surviving grandparent, if there is no surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling

Our experienced lawyers handling wrongful death cases in Lake Charles can provide more information about taking legal action under a plaintiff’s unique circumstances.

Justifications for Wrongful Death Compensation

A wrongful death lawsuit may arise from various circumstances and situations. For instance, a driver’s negligence could lead to a lawsuit when an ensuing car crash results in a person’s passing.

Medical providers’ mistakes, such as prescription drug errors or procedural errors, may likewise form the basis of a wrongful death lawsuit for medical malpractice.

Our experienced attorneys in Lake Charles, LA, will sue for damages on your behalf in cases involving various motor vehicle accidents, fatal workplace accidents, product liability accidents, and physical assaults or attacks. We also offer legal professionals to handle nearly any kind of case involving fatalities caused by negligence in Lake Charles, including:

Our Lake Charles premises liability lawyers can even hold landowners accountable if their failure to maintain their property causes your family member to suffer injuries in a fatal accident. Essentially, any situation that could have given rise to a personal injury lawsuit had the victim survived could, accordingly, become a wrongful death action.

Recoverable Damages in a Lake Charles Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Family members who pursue a wrongful death claim can recover various economic and non-economic damages. Our law office will review all your damages and seek the maximum monetary compensation for you.

Common wrongful death damages in these cases include:

  • Medical bills, including your loved one’s hospital bills and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitative therapy expenses
  • Funeral expenses, burial expenses
  • Loss of future income and benefits for financial contributions your loved one would have made
  • Pain and suffering or mental anguish
  • Loss of care, loss of companionship, loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

If your case is eligible for punitive damages, we can advise you of that during your free consultation. Call us today to get started – we’re standing by to help you navigate your economic loss.

We Will Prove Losses for Your Loved One’s Catastrophic Injuries

The financial damages your family suffered can be challenging to prove. Our personal injury attorneys can conduct a detailed analysis of damages to a particular wrongful death claim. They can use billing statements, invoices, receipts, and other documents to prove your monetary losses.

Medical bills are typically among the largest expenses in these cases, especially if accident victims suffered severe catastrophic injuries like the following in preventable accidents:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Burn injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
  • Other catastrophic injuries

When you hire legal representation, you protect your interests and ensure you seek the maximum compensation from negligent parties that caused your loved one’s fatal injuries in a catastrophic accident.

Laborde Earles has decades of extensive experience to get you the financial recovery you deserve for your loved one’s unjust demise. Contact our Lake Charles wrongful death lawyers now.

Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

Get a Free Case Evaluation

The Prescriptive Period in Wrongful Death Cases

According to Louisiana’s statute of limitation law, family members of a deceased person can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Lake Charles within one year from their loved one’s death date.

If it is not filed within that time, the family may not be able to recover compensation. Among various other services, our Lake Charles wrongful death injury case attorneys can help family members comply with the deadline and determine who has a right to bring a claim against the responsible parties and when it should be filed.

Getting support from our legal team can relieve your family of the burden of meeting the time limit. While you make your loved one’s final arrangements, our lawyers will protect your rights and address any legal issues that could stand in the way of you getting your deserved financial compensation.

The Prescriptive Period in Wrongful Death Cases

According to Louisiana’s statute of limitation law, family members of a deceased person can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Lake Charles within one year from their loved one’s death date.

If it is not filed within that time, the family may not be able to recover compensation. Among various other services, our Lake Charles wrongful death injury case attorneys can help family members comply with the deadline and determine who has a right to bring a claim against the responsible parties and when it should be filed.

Getting support from our legal team can relieve your family of the burden of meeting the time limit. While you make your loved one’s final arrangements, our lawyers will protect your rights and address any legal issues that could stand in the way of you getting your deserved financial compensation.

How Our Lake Charles Wrongful Death Injury Lawyer Can Lead Your Case

The stress of an insurance claim or lawsuit is the last thing you and your family need to deal with. Our lawyer can handle your case’s details for you and:

  • Investigate the cause of your loved one’s death.
  • Collect case-supporting evidence (e.g., the police report, medical records, video footage).
  • Identify the negligent party or parties.
  • Prepare and submit your insurance claim.
  • Interview and depose any eyewitnesses and expert witnesses.
  • Represent you at trial, if needed.

A wrongful death attorney can also manage the intricacies of the law, including complying with the statute of limitations and ensuring the insurance company handles your case in good faith.

Proving Negligence Is Important in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Asserting that another person or entity’s negligence led to your loved one’s demise is not enough to entitle your family to compensation. A wrongful death lawyer in Lake Charles will provide evidence that the at-fault party:

  • Owed your loved one a duty of care, including obeying traffic laws, providing appropriate medical care, and refraining from physical assault
  • Violated their duty by acting in a way that was careless or reckless, which can include acting negligently or failing to act
  • Caused your loved one’s demise by their negligence

Your lawyer will also help you prove the financial impact of your loved one’s loss on your family. By establishing these legal elements, our attorneys can assign a monetary value to your case and build a compelling evidence file to prove your wrongful death damages.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Lawyer?

You and other family members are entitled to compensation for the loss of your loved one. Our personal injury law firm is committed to helping you fight for your financial recovery. We do not add to your financial hardship by charging attorney’s fees. Instead, we represent you on a contingency fee basis.

Our signed contingency fee arrangement means:

  • Your case can begin and proceed at no out-of-pocket expense to you.
  • Our law firm will cover the costs of preparing and filing your case.
  • We will accept a percentage of your financial award at the resolution of your case.
  • If you do not receive a monetary damages award, we will not expect any compensation.

Our team is upfront and clear about our fee agreement. We ensure you understand the percentage and the benefits of working with our team of professionals on a contingency fee basis. We start building your case with a free initial consultation and keep fighting for the resolution you deserve.

branded accent

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Over 1,700 5-Star Reviews

Speak With Us Today: Our Lake Charles Wrongful Death Claim Lawyer Can Help

If your loved one died because of another party’s negligence, we could hold the liable party accountable in any type of accident. In the same vein, you deserve to have a compassionate and dedicated legal advocate by your side during your fight for fair compensation.

Our legal professionals can answer your questions and guide you through the process. Cases involving preventable deaths typically involve complex legal issues, but we can review your legal options and tell you how you can proceed. Contact us today to learn how our Lake Charles wrongful death lawyers can help you and your family during this difficult time.

View More Articles Trusted Voices Sharing What Matters

closeup of a car with a crashed hood

Blog Louisiana’s New Comparative Fault Law (2026): What the 51% Rule Means for Your Compensation

If you were injured in Louisiana, a recent change in the law could determine whether you recover compensation or nothing at all. As of Janua...

Read Full Article
woman in neck brace talking to lawyer

Blog Louisiana Sets New Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Tort Claims

Now that Louisiana has set a new two-year statute of limitations on tort claims, injury victims will have more time to take legal action for...

Read Full Article
law statue

Blog Digger Earles Honored With Appointment to GLP-1 Plaintiff Steering Committee

In a significant victory for plaintiffs in the high-stakes multi-district GLP-1 litigation, renowned Lafayette personal injury lawyer Digger...

Read Full Article
big rig car accident

Blog $1,400,000 Settlement for Alexandria Woman in Car Accident

When it comes to being injured in a car accident, choosing the right attorney can be the difference between getting $1,400,000 in 9 months i...

Read Full Article

Guidance you can trust, from people who actually know.

View All FAQs View All Articles

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

(337) 612-6909
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 (337) 223-9925.