New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you have lost someone you love, and you think someone else’s negligence caused the fatal accident, it is time to contact a New Orleans wrongful death lawyer. There may be nothing more devastating for a family than to lose a loved one unexpectedly.

Surviving family members have the right to seek compensation for the losses they suffered as a result of their loved one’s untimely death. Our New Orleans personal injury lawyer can help ensure your rights are protected.

At Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, we have more than 121 years of combined trial experience. We know that no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of a loved one. Our goal is to provide you with the support you need as you transition into this new phase of your life.

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in New Orleans?

Hiring an attorney after the loss of a loved one means you‘ll always have someone on your side, guiding your family through the legal process and providing personalized help and support.

Our team understands the tremendous emotional, mental, and financial pressures your family can face in the aftermath of a deadly accident. We’ll get to work quickly and provide the dedicated support that you deserve.

You can rely on us to handle all legal matters on your behalf, so you can focus on caring for your family’s emotional needs. You don’t have to go through the legal process alone. Reach out to us now to get the assistance you can count on.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney?

The cost of hiring wrongful death attorneys in New Orleans will vary because law firms use contingency pricing to handle these claims.

A contingency fee system means that the law firm receives payment only after the end of a claim, and that it will receive a percentage of the compensation awarded through the legal process.

What Is Considered a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death happens when someone loses their life because of another person‘s negligence or reckless behavior. It might involve a drunk driver, a distracted motorist, or someone failing to follow basic safety rules. In a civil case, the family can bring a wrongful death lawsuit to recover financial damages and hold the responsible party accountable.

These cases focus on the harm caused and what the family needs to move forward, not just emotionally, but financially. It is essential to know the difference between civil and criminal courts. A criminal case, such as manslaughter or homicide, is handled by the state and may lead to jail time or fines.

Your wrongful death lawyer files a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family in civil court. It focuses on compensation for expenses such as funeral costs, lost income, and emotional distress. Even if the prosecution files no criminal charges or the person is acquitted, you may still have a valid civil case.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Louisiana?

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, only certain people are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit. That list starts with the surviving spouse and children. If there is no spouse or child, the right passes to the surviving parents and siblings.

The law establishes this order to maintain consistency in the process and to protect the legal rights of the closest family members. You may not realize that not everyone who loved the deceased will be eligible to file a claim.

Unmarried partners, close friends, and other extended family members may not have the same legal standing as married couples under Louisiana law. A New Orleans wrongful death attorney from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers can help you establish where you fall in the line of priority and what options might be available.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Accidents

Not every wrongful death starts with a fatal car accident or a medical error. Sometimes the cause is something less expected, such as a job-related hazard or a product that should have been safe but was not.

These are just a few examples of where we often see families dealing with a sudden loss:

Workplace Accidents

We understand what you’re going through if you lose a loved one in a fatal workplace accident. A New Orleans workplace accident lawyer can support your family after this kind of loss and explain how to get death benefits through the workers’ compensation system.

Dangerous Property Conditions

Property owners have a responsibility to remove hazards from their property in a timely fashion to keep their guests and visitors safe. If a property owner allows a hazard to develop and it results in the loss of a loved one, you can get help from a New Orleans premises liability lawyer.

Defective Products

Sometimes, manufacturers sell products with deadly defects. A New Orleans product liability lawyer can help your family build a claim for compensation for claims involving manufacturing, design, or marketing defects.

Unsafe Commercial Vehicles

We’re here to provide the support and assistance you need after a deadly commercial vehicle accident. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help you stand up to big trucking companies, representing your family’s best interests every step of the way.

When something like this happens, it is not always clear who is responsible or what your next step should be. That is where legal help can make a difference. A New Orleans fatal truck accident lawyer on our team can help you look deeper, find answers, and assess what kind of legal options your family may have. You do not have to go through it alone.

Car Accidents

We can help you navigate the legal system after a fatal collision. A New Orleans car accident lawyer can address your needs and help you build a claim after a deadly head-on, rear-end, or side-impact collision.

Maritime Accidents

You can turn to us for professional assistance after a deadly accident on the water. A New Orleans maritime lawyer can help you understand your family’s options after this kind of accident.

Our firm is ready to provide personalized care to your family after the loss of a loved one. 

What to Do if a Loved One Is in a Fatal Accident

After a sudden loss, everything can feel like it is moving too fast and too slow at the same time. One of the most important steps you can take is to contact a legal advocate as soon as possible. Key evidence can disappear quickly, especially in accidents involving vehicles, commercial properties, or public spaces.

Whether you are dealing with a car crash, a workplace incident, or trying to figure out what to do if a loved one is in a fatal truck accident, legal support early on can help preserve what matters. A New Orleans fatal car accident lawyer can step in to protect your rights and begin gathering the records, witness statements, and expert support needed to build a strong case.

In addition, your New Orleans wrongful death lawyer can help you understand who may be liable and what options your family has. You do not have to take these steps alone or guess your way through a complicated process. We are here to help you get answers and take care of what comes next.

Your Financial Compensation After a Fatal Accident

Compensation cannot bring someone back, but it can give your family some breathing room during an incredibly painful time. It can help cover the immediate costs of the loss and support the people who relied on your loved one every day.

Filing for financial compensation is not just about the money. It is about protecting your future and honoring what your family has been through. A lawyer for wrongful death in New Orleans can give you more information about potential compensation.

What Families May Be Able to Recover

When someone passes away due to another person’s carelessness, their family may be able to recover a range of damages. These can include the loss of the person’s income, the value of their household services, and their future inheritance.

Louisiana wrongful death claims also recognize emotional losses like the loss of love, guidance, and companionship. Your family’s claim may also include expenses for the funeral, memorial, and burial.

Every family’s needs are different, and we take the time to understand what this loss has meant for you personally and financially.

A New Orleans catastrophic injury lawyer on our team will help gather the proper documents and evidence to show the full impact of the loss. You have enough to carry already. Let us help with the legal part.

Survival Actions on Behalf of the Deceased

In addition to a wrongful death claim, Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.1 also allows a survival action. A survival action is a separate claim brought on behalf of your loved one for what they went through before they passed away. It can include any:

• Medical bills
• Hospital care
• Conscious pain and suffering they endured after the accident, but before they died

The survival action is different from a wrongful death claim because it focuses on the harm done directly to your loved one, not just the impact on your family.

That distinction matters when calculating damages and dividing the award. Your New Orleans wrongful death attorney will walk you through how these claims work together and help you pursue both when they apply. It is another way to ensure your case reflects the full story.

Why Proving Wrongful Death Requires Legal Support

Wrongful death claims are often complicated, emotional, and challenging to prove without the right approach. These cases rely on clear, persuasive evidence that connects the actions of the responsible party to your loved one’s passing. That means timelines, medical details, and witness information all have to line up with the facts.

What Evidence Helps Build a Strong Case

To prove wrongful death, we gather everything that helps tell the story of what happened. That might include:

• Autopsy records
• Medical documentation
• Accident reconstructions
• Firsthand witness accounts

If the death followed an incident like a collision or unsafe conditions, your wrongful death attorney in New Orleans looks at what led up to the event and whether anything could have prevented it.

That information helps us understand how the loss occurred and who may be responsible. The facts may initially seem obvious in some cases, like those involving the legal consequences of distracted driving.

However, you still need supporting records that show exactly how that distraction led to someone’s death. Whether it was a commercial driver, an unsafe property, or a faulty product, we help families build cases with care and clarity. We aim to ensure your loved one’s story is heard and supported by solid facts.

Why Choose Us After a Fatal Accident?

Our team at Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers understands what you‘re going through after the loss of a family member. We can quickly get to work on your claim, and we’ll prioritize the best interests of your family every step of the way.

We have the experience and training to handle all legal challenges you face when building a wrongful death claim. We can identify the liable party and work to hold them accountable for their actions, bringing your family a sense of closure.

How Our Legal Team Builds Your Case

The first step is understanding what your family is facing. We begin by reviewing what happened, what you have documented so far, and what we still need to collect. From there, we organize records, request key documents, and speak with people who may have vital information.

These early steps lay the groundwork for a strong and complete claim. Along the way, we stay focused on timing and strategy. That means ensuring everything is filed on time, building a case that can withstand scrutiny in court if necessary, and striving for meaningful outcomes in negotiations.

You do not have to keep track of it all on your own. An experienced Louisiana wrongful death lawyer in New Orleans can handle the details, communicate clearly, and work to protect your family’s future from day one.

You Can Review Our Client Testimonials

We’re proud to provide the help and support clients need when dealing with complex legal matters. Some of our clients have shared the following testimonials after turning to us for legal assistance:

“Paige was a true pleasure to speak with. She was so empathetic, kind, and walked me through the entire process of what I can expect going forward. I wish I could give 10 stars for my experience, and I feel grateful to be in such good hands!”

“About a year ago, we lost my mom, and we received flowers from Scott Vicknair (not knowing why), which then led to me reaching out and speaking to Caitlin. From there, it was the best experience we could have asked for. Amazing communication, attentiveness, and so very kind. We thoroughly enjoyed finishing out the process with their team and wanted to say thank you for bringing joy throughout the process.”

“Morning, if you’re looking for a law firm that understands difficult times and treats you like family from the beginning, then this is who you need to call. They get the job done right from the beginning.”

Reasons to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer

After a sudden loss, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that comes next. Many families are unsure where to turn or whether they even have a valid case. The right legal support can give you space to grieve while someone you trust handles the details.

Here are a few reasons why working with a wrongful death lawyer can make a complicated process more manageable:

• Emotional recovery should come first
• You may not know your legal options
• The other side will try to protect itself
• Professional representation means better results

When you face decisions that affect your future, it helps to have someone who knows how this works and can help you avoid common mistakes. A lawyer can take the pressure off your shoulders and protect your rights from the very beginning.

Whether you are still trying to figure out what happened or you are already considering your legal options, we are here to help you take the next step.

Statute of Limitations in Louisiana Wrongful Death Cases

If you are thinking about filing a wrongful death claim, one of the first and most relevant things to know is that time matters. In Louisiana, the law gives you just one year from the date of your loved one’s passing to file a claim under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2. This deadline often comes up faster than most people expect.

If you wait too long, the court may not hear your case at all, even if you have strong evidence or a clear reason to file. There are rare situations in which the clock may start later, such as when the cause of death was not immediately known. This situation is known as the “discovery rule,” and it sometimes applies in medical cases or situations where someone has concealed information.

However, it is not something you want to count on unless there is no other option. If you are unsure where you stand or would like to discuss your options, we are here to help you figure it out. You do not need to have everything sorted out today. Taking the first step with the right support can make all the difference.

How Long Does a Wrongful Death Claim Take?

The time it takes to resolve a wrongful death claim can vary based on the circumstances surrounding the incident and other factors. In many cases, these claims may take months or years to resolve fully.

Our team will do everything possible to minimize the time it takes for your family to receive compensation from the at-fault party, without cutting corners or trying to rush your claim.

We’ll focus on providing the support and attention you need every step of the way, keeping you up to date on the progress of your claim.

Talk to Us After Losing a Loved One in New Orleans, LA

If you find yourself searching for a “wrongful death lawyer near me in New Orleans,” you can stop your search now. Our team can provide the dedicated and compassionate assistance you need when navigating the legal process after the tragic loss of a loved one.

We know that any negligence-based death is a tragedy, and we know that you deserve all the help you can get. Reach out to Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation, and see what a New Orleans wrongful death attorney from our office can do for you.