What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

A wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. Louisiana law allows certain surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for both financial losses and the emotional impact of their loss. Wrongful death claims commonly arise from:

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Truck and commercial vehicle crashes
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Workplace and industrial accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Defective products
  • Dangerous property conditions
  • Acts of violence or extreme negligence

These claims are civil actions, separate from any criminal proceedings that may occur.

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Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in New Iberia?

Louisiana law strictly defines who may bring a wrongful death claim. Typically, eligible parties include:

  • The surviving spouse and children
  • If none, the surviving parents
  • If none, the surviving siblings
  • If none, surviving grandparents

If you are unsure whether you qualify, a wrongful death attorney can review your situation and explain your rights.

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Compensation Available in a New Iberia Wrongful Death Case

While no amount of money can replace a loved one, wrongful death compensation is intended to ease the financial burden and acknowledge the profound loss suffered by surviving family members. Damages may include:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
  • Loss of the deceased’s income and financial support
  • Loss of household services
  • Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
  • Emotional pain and suffering of surviving family members


Each case is unique, and compensation depends on factors such as the deceased’s age, income, family role, and the circumstances of the death.

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Common Causes of Wrongful Death in New Iberia

Wrongful death claims in New Iberia often stem from preventable incidents, including:

  • Drunk or distracted driving crashes
  • Commercial trucking accidents on Highway 90 and nearby corridors
  • Dangerous worksite conditions
  • Medical errors or delayed treatment
  • Unsafe products or machinery
  • Negligent property maintenance

Our firm conducts thorough investigations to determine exactly what happened and who should be held accountable.

How a New Iberia Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help Your Family

Wrongful death cases are emotionally complex and legally demanding. When you work with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can:

  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
  • Preserve evidence and consult expert witnesses
  • Identify all responsible parties
  • Handle communication with insurers and defense attorneys
  • Calculate the full value of your family’s losses
  • Negotiate for a fair settlement or prepare the case for trial

We handle the legal burden so your family can focus on healing.

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Time Limits for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana

Louisiana has one of the shortest deadlines in the country for wrongful death claims. In most cases, families have one year from the date of death to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently prevent recovery.
Because evidence can disappear and memories fade, it is critical to speak with a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.

Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action

In Louisiana, a wrongful death claim is different from a survival action:

  • Wrongful death claims compensate surviving family members for their losses
  • Survival actions seek damages the deceased could have pursued if they had survived, such as pain and suffering before death

In many cases, both claims may be filed together.

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Car Accident

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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!

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Baton Rouge

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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.

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Lafayette

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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.

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New Orleans

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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!

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Lafayette

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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!

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Megan Couvillon

Alexandria

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

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Lafayette

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.

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Over 1,700 5-Star Reviews

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Why Families in New Iberia Trust Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers

Families turn to our firm because we offer:

  • Decades of experience handling complex injury and wrongful death cases
  • A compassionate, client-focused approach
  • Trial-ready preparation and strong negotiation skills
  • No upfront fees—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation
  • A proven record of results across Louisiana

We believe accountability matters, especially when a life has been taken too soon.

Speak With a New Iberia Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If you lost a loved one due to negligence in New Iberia or anywhere in Iberia Parish, you do not have to face this process alone. A New Iberia wrongful death lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We are here to support your family and pursue the justice your loved one deserves.

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