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Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Shreveport Wrongful Death Lawyer

Shreveport Wrongful Death Lawyer

Helping Families Get through Painful and Difficult Times After a Fatal Accident or Injury in North Louisiana

When someone is killed at the hands of a negligent driver or as the result of some other senseless incident, oftentimes the emotional toll makes it difficult to think about pursuing a claim for wrongful death. At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport-Bossier City wrongful death lawyers are here to guide you through the process and help you pick up the pieces when a wrongful death occurs. We have successfully handled many wrongful death cases in North Louisiana, resulting in significant recoveries that helped families get back on their feet. Although we know money can never replace the loss of a loved one, a successful claim provides valuable resources to make up for the financial loss experienced by the loved ones left behind. If you have lost a loved one to the negligence of another, call Rice & Kendig for a no-cost consultation regarding any potential claims you may have.

What Is Wrongful Death?

In the typical personal injury case where an individual is injured because of another’s negligence, the injured victim can seek compensation from the negligent party for losses suffered by the victim, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In the case of a fatal accident caused by the fault of another, Louisiana law recognizes the right of certain family members to recover compensation for the damages these surviving family members sustained as a result. This type of action is known as “wrongful death.”

Who Can Bring a Claim and Recover for Wrongful Death in Louisiana?

The Louisiana wrongful death statute defines who can bring a lawsuit when a person dies due to the fault of another. Potential plaintiffs in a wrongful death action include:

  • The surviving spouse of the deceased and the children of the deceased. The spouse and children can file a claim together, or either the spouse or the children can bring a case.
  • The parents of the deceased can bring a claim together, or either the mother or the father can bring a claim if the deceased did not leave behind a surviving spouse or any surviving children.
  • The brothers and sisters of the deceased, provided there is no surviving spouse, child or parent.
  • If the deceased did not leave behind a spouse, child, parent or sibling, then surviving grandparents of the deceased are empowered to file a wrongful death action.

What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim?

In a civil lawsuit based on negligence, the court awards money “damages” to compensate the victims for their loss. The damages in a wrongful death case refer to the damages sustained by the surviving family members. Although not spelled out in the statute, damages experienced by surviving family members that can be compensated in a wrongful death claim typically include losses like the following:

  • Funeral and burial expenses paid by the family member
  • Final medical costs paid by the family member
  • The loss of income the deceased would have provided to the family
  • The loss of household services or support the deceased would have provided
  • For a surviving spouse, the loss of comfort, support and marital relations
  • For a surviving child, the loss of education, training, guidance and companionship
  • For a surviving parent or grandparent, emotional pain and suffering

How Can Rice & Kendig Help With a Louisiana Wrongful Death Claim?

Recovering compensation in a wrongful death case requires proving all the same elements as a personal injury claim, such as the defendant’s negligence and the nature and extent of damages. Proving a wrongful death case can sometimes be more difficult, as it can be harder to gather evidence showing the defendant’s negligence and fault in causing the car accident or other fatal injury. Also, family members only have one year to file a wrongful death claim, which can be difficult at a time when they are already grieving and dealing with issues like probate, insurance policies, paperwork, sorting through possessions, etc. By calling an attorney early, you can be assured that important evidence will be gathered before it is lost, and important deadlines won’t be missed. An experienced injury lawyer at Rice & Kendig can take on the job of recovering compensation for you so that you’ll have one less matter to deal with or worry about.

Capable and Compassionate Shreveport-Bossier City Wrongful Death Attorneys by Your Side When You Need Legal Help

If you need help with a wrongful death case, contact the law firm of Rice & Kendig to schedule a free consultation today. We provide practical advice, compassionate support, and effective representation to help you through the most difficult times in life.

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1030 Kings Highway
Shreveport, Louisiana 71104
Office: 318-222-2772
Shreveport-Bossier City

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