Louisiana Wrongful Death Lawyer

Name: Wrongful Death
Brand: Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
Rating: 4.9 (1946 reviews)

Support, advocacy, and answers for families grieving preventable loss.

David Laborde & Digger Earles

Founding Partners

$1 Billion+

Recovered for Louisianians

25+ Attorneys

Collaboration on every case

350+ Years

Combined years of experience

1,700+ Reviews

4.9 Google Rating

Helping Louisiana Families Seek Accountability, Stability, and Justice After a Tragic Loss

Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is one of the most devastating experiences any family can face. The emotional shock, financial strain, and uncertainty about the future can feel overwhelming, especially when the death was sudden, avoidable, and caused by misconduct or carelessness. At a time when you should be allowed to grieve, you may instead find yourself navigating insurance companies, accident investigations, and legal questions you never expected to face. You don’t have to shoulder that alone.

Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers represents families across Louisiana, including Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Marksville, New Iberia, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, in wrongful death claims arising from accidents, unsafe conditions, and corporate negligence. With more than 350 years of combined experience, our lawyers provide guidance, compassion, and strength when families need it most.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Louisiana

A wrongful death claim arises when a person loses their life due to the wrongful act, negligence, or misconduct of another party. These cases aim to provide financial stability for surviving family members and hold negligent individuals, companies, or institutions accountable for the harm they caused. Wrongful death claims may arise from:

Motor vehicle accidents
Commercial truck and big-rig collisions
Defective products
Workplace or industrial accidents
Medical malpractice
Nursing home neglect or abuse
Dangerous property conditions
Maritime or offshore incidents
Violent or intentional acts

Our attorneys investigate the circumstances, identifies all responsible parties, and explains your options clearly and compassionately.

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

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

Brittany Johnson

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...

maddie jo

Marksville

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...

Rosann Roberts

Lake Charles

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

Lisa S.

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...

Tracie Martin

Alexandria

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

Brylan Cormier

Lafayette

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...

Megan 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 ...

Tori E.

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...

Jaine Fisher

Lafayette

Over 1,700 5-Star Reviews

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Louisiana

Wrongful death can stem from many forms of negligence. Our attorneys routinely handle cases involving:

Distracted, drunk, or reckless driving
Unsafe commercial trucking practices
Failure to maintain safe premises
Medical errors or treatment failures
Defective medical devices or medications
Lack of adequate workplace safety measures
Nursing home neglect or understaffing
Criminal behavior resulting in fatal injury

Each case requires a detailed review of evidence, expert evaluation, and a legal strategy tailored to the unique circumstances of the loss.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

Louisiana law specifies who may bring a wrongful death claim.

Priority typically follows this order:

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

If no qualifying relatives exist, the estate may pursue certain claims. Our attorneys ensure the correct parties file and guide families through every step of the process.

Types of Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim

Compensation in wrongful death cases is meant to relieve financial burdens and address the immeasurable losses a family suffers. Damages may include:

Final medical expenses
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of the loved one’s income and future earning potential
Loss of benefits (insurance, retirement, household contributions)
Loss of care, companionship, guidance, and support
Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased prior to passing
Mental anguish and emotional hardship of surviving family members

We work with financial experts, medical professionals, and life-care planners to calculate the full scope of your losses and build a claim that reflects the true impact on your family.

Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

Get a Free Case Evaluation

(337) 777-7777 Call Us 24/7

Why Families Choose Laborde Earles for Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death claims are deeply personal and often heavily contested by insurance companies and corporations. Families trust Laborde Earles because we offer:

Free and private consultations
No fee unless we recover compensation
350+ years of combined legal experience
Extensive trial experience when cases need to be litigated
A full investigative team to uncover critical evidence
Constant communication and support throughout the process
A statewide presence and local commitment to Louisiana families

We honor your loved one by fighting tirelessly for the justice they deserve.

Case Results & Recoveries Our team shows up for you and results follow—every time.

Catastrophic Injuries $42 Million

For a burn victim in plant explosion

Wrongful Death $23 Million

For the family of a mother who died

Insurance Bad Faith $17 Million

For patients who were overbilled

Insurance Bad Faith $11.8 Million

Largest hurricane claim verdict in LA

Insurance Bad Faith $10.4 Million

Loss of revenue

Maritime Injury $8 Million

Maritime worker injured offshore

Car Accident $5.25 Million

Auto accident resulting in brain injury

Thousands of Louisianans have trusted us and won.

See Our Case Results

What to Do After a Wrongful Death

These steps can help protect your family’s rights:

Obtain medical and coroner reports
Keep records of funeral expenses and related costs
Document how the loss affects your household
Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney
Contact Laborde Earles for guidance and protection

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

Our Legal Team We fight for our own.

Meet Our Team

Digger Earles

Founding Partner

Hunter, fisherman, and aggressive trial attorney, most recently securing a historic $5 million bad faith excess verdict.

Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers
Acadiana Profile Top Lawyer
Top 100 National Trial Lawyers

David Laborde

Founding Partner

In addition to owning a ranch and hunting on the weekends, David is recognized as a top trial lawyer in Louisiana, most recently winning a $7.2 million settlement.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Acadiana Profile Top Lawyer
Multi–Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Alexis Davis

Associate

Personal injury attorney at Laborde Earles, Alexis combines award-winning legal writing with diligent advocacy, focusing on protecting clients’ interests throughout Louisiana.

Best Case Note
Law Review award winner

Aaron Bergeron

Attorney

Personal injury attorney Aaron Bergeron brings a client-first approach shaped by courtroom and judicial experience.

Law Clerk, 27th Judicial District Court
Graduated cum laude, Southern University Law Center

Ben Alexander

Attorney

Litigation attorney Ben leverages years of experience defending catastrophic, maritime, and insurance cases, including those involving the Deepwater Horizon incident.

Deepwater Horizon MDL
Rising Star 2013–2018
Top 100 honoree

Cade Melancon

Attorney

Cade brings judicial and court experience, as well as catastrophic injury litigation skills developed from pre-suit preparation through trial support and appeals.

Federal court internship
District staff attorney

Carolina De La Peña Rogers

Attorney

Carolina represents motor-vehicle crash victims, applying nationwide immigration litigation experience with a proactive strategy, clear communication, and client-focused guidance.

Spanish speaker
Immigration courts admitted
Louisiana Association for Justice

Daniel Snellings

Attorney

With more than 30 years in complex litigation, Daniel represents injured victims in auto, maritime, product liability, toxic tort, and class matters.

Martindale-Hubbell rated
Best Maritime Attorneys 2022
NITA skills certificate

David Charles Laborde Jr.

Attorney

DC handles diverse injury matters, using prior insurance-defense and entertainment-law experience to anticipate tactics, strengthen claims, and guide clients through every step.

Former defense attorney
Louisiana Bar admitted
Tulane football letterman

Derek B. Hebert

Attorney

Personal injury attorney Derek Hebert takes a proactive, detail-driven approach, building cases early to apply pressure and pursue strong results.

Full-Tuition Merit Scholarship Recipient
Certificate in Civil Law Studies

Frances Gossen O'Neal

Attorney

Fran is an experienced litigator with strong research roots, clerkship experience, and broad court admissions, providing thoughtful, steady representation for injured clients.

23rd JDC clerkships
LSU Law J.D.

Jeanne Laborde

Attorney

Personal injury attorney Jeanne has spent decades guiding clients through treatment, billing, and insurance issues with diligence, clarity, and compassion.

Bilingual English/Spanish
20+ years serving clients

Jennifer Coussan

Attorney

Lafayette native Jennifer brings sharp judicial perspective from federal and appellate clerkships, strengthening litigation strategy, motion practice, and outcomes for clients.

Federal law clerk
Third Circuit attorney

Jonathan Chatwin

Attorney

Jonathan focuses on workers’ compensation and personal injury, combining accounting training and Army service with practical, disciplined advocacy for Louisiana clients daily.

U.S. Army veteran
Fifth Circuit admitted

Kade Stutes

Attorney

Storm claim attorney Kade serves Acadiana homeowners with local roots, judicial-clerkship experience, and a steady, responsive approach to complex insurance disputes.

27th JDC judicial clerk
Society VP
Louisiana Bar 2023

Kelby Rasmussen

VP of Legal Operations/Attorney

Kelby practices personal injury law, drawing on courtroom insight from district-judge clerkships, to provide clear answers and steady guidance to clients following serious accidents.

36th JDC law clerk
LAJ member

Kristen Broussard Guidry

Litigation Attorney

Kristen brings more than 25 years of experience and deep insurance-defense insight, now using industry knowledge to zealously advocate for injury clients.

Top 15% LSU
Outstanding Young Lawyer
Past YLA President

Mary Cryar

Attorney

Mary turns two decades of insurance and injury defense experience into advocacy for people facing serious injuries or denied insurance claims today.

NITA instructor
Taught LSU trial advocacy
Multi-state bar admissions

Nicholas R. Rockforte

Attorney

Nicholas represents clients in injury, complex litigation, and class actions, bringing a first-in-class mindset and underdog focus to every case for clients.

Top 40 Under 40
Levee counsel

Paul Laborde

Attorney

Personal injury attorney Paul Laborde brings a thorough, disciplined approach shaped by strong legal training and a deep respect for the profession.

LSU Law Graduate
Judicial & Legislative Experience

Ryan Saunders

Attorney

Ryan brings first-responder experience and trial-driven precision to complex matters, dedicated to helping clients who need a prepared, strategic advocate always today.

First responder 10+ years
Felony defense
Patent bar passed

Scott Higgins

Attorney

Scott is a seasoned injury litigator handling wrongful death, maritime, and complex multi-party cases, valuing client relationships as much as results always.

AV Preeminent rated
Licensed in Louisiana/Texas

Shawn Bordelon

Attorney

Shawn is a personal injury litigator with defense-side insight, representing clients through trial and appeals, including matters that reach the Louisiana Supreme Court level.

Former defense counsel
Louisiana Supreme Court experience

Victor Rushing

Attorney

Victor is a pre-litigation attorney who guides injured clients through early case strategy, providing clear communication and responsive, detail-oriented representation.

Western District admitted
Knights of Columbus

Wesley Elmer

Attorney

Wesley evaluates claims from both sides, helping clients understand strengths and risks while pursuing fair outcomes in personal injury matters statewide fully.

Dual-perspective counsel
Fifth Circuit admitted
Former parish bar president

Will Casanova

Attorney

Will devotes his practice to Louisiana workers’ compensation, providing injured workers with steady, informed guidance to navigate benefits, treatment, and claims.

Past Acadia Bar President
Southern graduate

Amit Gulati

Attorney

Attorney Amit Gulati brings courtroom-tested advocacy and a trial-first mindset to personal injury and criminal defense cases.

Former Orleans Public Defenders Attorney
Extensive Felony Trial Experience

Wrongful Death Claims Clear Answers to Important Questions

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim?

Most claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Contacting an attorney quickly is essential.

What if criminal charges were filed?

A civil wrongful death case can move forward separately from any criminal case. Compensation is available even if criminal charges are never filed or result in no conviction.

Can multiple family members receive compensation?

Yes. Louisiana law determines which relatives may recover damages, and compensation can be distributed among qualifying survivors.

What if the death was caused by a business or corporation?

Many wrongful death cases involve companies, hospitals, manufacturers, or commercial carriers. We handle complex corporate liability claims regularly.

Do you have more questions?

Our team is here to answer every question about your case—clearly and honestly.

(337) 777-7777 Call Us 24/7

Standing With Families Seeking Answers and Accountability

A wrongful death changes everything — your household, your future, and your sense of security. While no amount of compensation can replace the person you lost, a strong legal case can provide stability, accountability, and a measure of justice. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here to guide your family with compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment. Contact us today for a free, confidential evaluation of your case.