Our Lawyers Aggressively Advocate for Grieving Families

New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyers

Losing a loved one is devastating. The death of a spouse, child, sibling, or parent is incredibly painful. If the death was the result of someone else’s negligence, then the pain may also be accompanied by confusion and anger. Was it preventable? Why did it happen? Who is responsible? If a person’s death was caused by the wrongful conduct of a person or group of people, then a wrongful death suit may be filed.

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Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A wrongful death is one caused by a negligent, reckless, or intentional act committed by another. A wrongful death lawsuit not only seeks justice for the victim of the negligent act but also for any dependents who relied on the victim for financial support. This sets a wrongful death suit apart from other personal injury suits—the suit is brought by the victim’s family members or estate rather than the victim themselves.

In order to file a Louisiana wrongful death lawsuit, you must have proof of the following:

The victim’s death was caused by negligence or a wrongful act by the defendant
The victim left behind surviving beneficiaries or dependents
The victim’s death resulted in monetary damages

An experienced New Orleans wrongful death attorney can be the difference between success and failure. Ensure that your family has a fighting chance in court by contacting the New Orleans wrongful death lawyers at Mike Brandner Law.

What Damages Can You Recover for Wrongful Death?

Wrongful deaths can have a catastrophic financial impact on surviving family. While some damages are measurable, such as lost potential earnings, others are intangible, like the loss of companionship. Some of the damages commonly sought in wrongful death cases include:

Loss of Future Earnings: This amount usually determined from measuring what the victim would have earned in salary and life expectancy.
Direct Expenses: These damages recover the cost of medical bills and funeral expenses.
Loss of Benefits: This is the amount of retirement and pension benefits that the victim would have received given their age and current benefits package.
Punitive Damages: If the victim’s death was the result of the defendant’s negligent or intentional acts, these damages serve as both a punishment and a deterrent to future offenders.
Loss of Companionship: These damages are measured by the pain and suffering caused by the victim’s death and the loss of emotional support for the victim’s immediate family.

Louisiana only uses punitive damages in wrongful deaths caused by drunk or intoxicated drivers.

Finding the Right Representation for a Louisiana Wrongful Death Case

Wrongful death lawsuits can present unique complexities. Determining liability, especially in a criminal wrongful death case, can be difficult. Finding the right Louisiana wrongful death lawyer can help you determine the right course of action needed to secure your financial future and recover following your loss. While a monetary award can never replace your loss, it can help ensure that your family will be provided for.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

New Orleans Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Question

Why Are Wrongful Death Calculations Harder Than Normal Personal Injury Calculations?

There’s no real way to accurately predict where a person’s life could be headed. If a parent in their 30s who is the primary wage earner for a household passes away, what kind of promotions, pay raises, or benefits might they have received over the next three or four decades? Loss of earnings potential should be considered when trying to determine a fair loss of future earnings number.

Other intangible costs are also difficult to quantify. You can put a price on loss of household help by determining how much it will cost to hire a landscaper or cleaning service, but what about the value of companionship or parental guidance? It often takes a skilled lawyer to develop a compelling narrative to show the judge and jury just what the deceased’s life meant to their loved ones.

SERVING THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

We Fight for Spouses and Children Who Have Lost a Loved One Due to Negligence and Wrongdoing

Have you recently lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing? You may be eligible to file a suit with the help of a wrongful death lawyer. Our New Orleans and Baton Rouge wrongful death law firm has been helping grieving families recover damages for many years.