Wrongful Death

Respected Louisiana Wrongful Death Lawyers Helping the Families of Fatal Accident Victims

 

Pursuit of just financial recovery after a wrongful death in your family calls for an attorney and law firm that balance empathy, sensitivity, and patience with assertive, skilled action. Please contact us today for a free consultation with a lawyer who will care about you personally and be prepared to fight for your future.

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At Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associates Injury Attorneys, we have represented widowed spouses, parents, and children, delivering all-out effort and the investment required to seek maximum compensation. Our ultimate mission in any wrongful death case is to help you carry on in a world made much more challenging by a devastating loss.

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A Longstanding, Proven Resource for Victims of Tragic Accidents

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Our experience extends across many types of catastrophic events caused by someone’s negligence or misconduct, from fatal auto wrecks to on-the-job accidents, boating and offshore accidents, medical malpractice, and a helicopter crash. We have also achieved positive outcomes when brain damage or a disabling spinal or back injury required lifelong care and rehabilitation.

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Who Can Bring A Wrongful Death/Survival Action?

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Louisiana law allows the personal representative of a deceased person’s estate — generally an immediate family member — to file a wrongful death/survival suit. In particular, the following persons may bring a wrongful death/survival action:

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• The victim’s spouse and/or children,

• The victim’s parents, if the victim left no spouse or child surviving,

• The victim’s brothers and/or sisters, if the victim left no spouse, child, or parent surviving, or

• The victim’s grandparents, if the victim left no spouse, child, parent, or siblings surviving.

 

What Damages Can I Receive In A Wrongful Death/Survival Action?

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The types of damages vary depending on what type of action is necessary. There are two different types of damages in a wrongful death action: economic and non-economic damages. Funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, lost wages and benefits, value of lost household services, and bills for damaged property are classified as economic damages. On the other hand, damages such as loss of care, companionship, guidance, and emotional support are classified as non-economic damages.

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Damages for a survival action include: 

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1. Physical pain and suffering, 

2. Mental pain and suffering, 

3. And the loss of earnings until the deceased’s time of death.

 

A wrongful death/survival action claim is complicated. A skilled lawyer is needed in order to ensure your family receives the justice you deserve for your catastrophic loss. 

 

If evidence indicates your loved one was killed immediately in an accident, we will focus solely on the wrongful death cause of action.

 

In other situations — such as death after pain and suffering, we can also pursue a survival cause of action that could increase your settlement. A survival action is for the recovery of damages for pre-impact fear, pain, suffering and any other damages to the decedent from the time the injuries occurred until his or her death. Damages are properly awarded if there is a scintilla of evidence of any suffering or pain on the part of the decedent by his actions or otherwise.

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How Long Do I Have To File A Wrongful Death/Survival Action?

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Louisiana law makes it so there’s a time limit in which these types of actions must be filed. The wrongful death/survival action must be filed within one year of the death of the deceased. It is very important to file within this time period because if family members wait too long, state law prevents you from filing a lawsuit and receiving the justice you and your loved one deserve.

 

Of course, wrongful death cases can come from a variety of sources. Wrongful death claims and survival actions may come from accidents caused by cars, trucks, motorcycles, drunk drivers, boats, or even construction sites. But don’t worry. Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associates' injury lawyers are skilled in this field and can help your family receive the justice and compensation that you deserve. Get in touch with us as soon as possible to begin the process.

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At Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associates, we have access to many top-quality investigators and experts in various technical fields that may be relevant to your wrongful death case.

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We take time to gain insight into the true financial and emotional impact of any wrongful death. Compassionate people as well as proven lawyers, we will focus on understanding and showing the closeness of your relationships as well as quantifying your loss.

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If you choose to contact our firm, you will not have to hide your sadness and concern about the future. Our caring legal team aims to take care of financial and legal matters so that you can focus on your family. We charge no attorney fees unless you win compensation.

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