In Louisiana, when a loved one tragically dies due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another, certain family members can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their loss. The damages available in a Louisiana wrongful death claim are designed to address both the financial and emotional impacts of losing a family member.
Here, our Baton Rouge wrongful death attorneys at the Russell Law Firm, LLC, explain.
What Compensation Can Family Members Seek in a Louisiana Wrongful Death Claim?
The devastation caused by wrongful deaths is immeasurable, impacting families both emotionally and financially. In addition to the profound grief and loss of companionship, families are often left struggling with unexpected expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of future financial support. Pursuing damages in a wrongful death claim is essential to ease the financial burden and seek justice for the preventable loss.
The following are critical types of damages family members can pursue during a Louisiana wrongful death claim:
Economic Damages
These damages are meant to cover the financial losses resulting from the death, such as:
- Medical expenses incurred before the deceased passed away.
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Loss of future income and financial support the deceased would have provided to their family members.
- Loss of benefits, such as health insurance or retirement benefits, that would have been provided.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional and psychological suffering caused by the loss of a loved one, such as:
- Loss of companionship, love, and affection experienced by the surviving spouse, children, or parents.
- Loss of guidance and mentorship for children who have lost a parent.
- Emotional pain and suffering experienced by close family members due to the untimely death.
While rare, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana law dictates a specific order of family members who are eligible to file a wrongful death claim:
- Surviving spouse and children.
- If there are no spouses or children, the surviving parents.
- If there are no parents, the surviving siblings.
- If there are no siblings, the surviving grandparents.
Wrongful death claims in Louisiana must be filed within one year of the date of death, so it’s essential to act quickly to ensure your rights are protected. Our skilled Baton Rouge wrongful death attorneys help families seek compensation, help ensure that the responsible party is held accountable, and provide the means to recover and rebuild after such a life-altering tragedy.
The Russell Law Firm is in Your Corner, and We Fight to Win
If you have lost a loved one because of another person, party, or entity’s negligence in Louisiana, contact our dedicated East Baton Rouge Parish wrongful death attorneys today at 225-307-0088 or online to get the legal support you need to produce real results for your unique case.
Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice. Any discussions and photographs visible herein are not any depiction of any actual event or scene but merely a dramatization.