Personal Injury:  Wrongful Death

Richard P. Voorhies III, Louisiana Wrongful Death Lawyer, New Orleans, Baton Rouge

A wrongful death lawsuit arises when a person's negligence or misconduct results and/or contributes to the death of another.  Wrongful death cases can arise out of various forms of negligent actions including auto accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, premises liability and chemical exposure.  Regardless of the cause of the negligent conduct, Louisiana law provides that the wrongful death victim's named beneficiaries have the right to recover from the negligent party the damages that they themselves have suffered as a result of the victim's death.  Usually, the wrongful death victim's named beneficiaries must bring a wrongful death lawsuit within one year of the date of the victim's death.  Damages which are recoverable under a wrongful death case in Louisiana include loss of love, affection, companionship, mental anguish, loss of services, loss of support from the date of death, loss of future support, loss of consortium, and medical expenses.

The named beneficiaries for wrongful death actions are listed as classes of survivors of the wrongful death victim.  These classes of wrongful death beneficiaries are successively exclusive.  For example, if the wrongful death victim left a surviving spouse and children, only those class members could bring a wrongful death lawsuit.  But if the wrongful death victim had no surviving spouse/children then the right to bring a wrongful death action would belong to the next class members which, in this scenario, would be the victim's parents.  A wrongful death lawsuit can only be brought by the highest class of survivors of the victim.  Because of the confusing nature of who owns the legal right to bring a wrongful death action it is important to consult a knowledgeable Louisiana attorney/lawyer following the death of a loved family member.  And, of course, you should not rely on the above information without first consulting with an attorney. 

Richard Voorhies, Attorney at Law, has the knowledge and the resources necessary to handle your wrongful death lawsuit and offers a free consultation to the wrongful death victim's family member(s).  In addition, Richard offers personal service to all of his clients; that is, Richard is personally involved in each case.  When searching for a wrongful death lawyer in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette or surrounding areas of Louisiana, call or email Richard and find out who has the legal right in your prospective case to bring a wrongful death and survival action.  When so much is at stake, don't settle for someone who won't give your case the attention that it deserves!