Q: What is wrongful death?

Wrongful death is the loss of life caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another party. The negligence can be intentional or accidental. Louisiana law gives eligible surviving family members the right to file a civil claim seeking compensation from the party or parties responsible.

Q: What causes wrongful death?

Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, fatal truck crashes, defective products, dangerous property conditions, and workplace accidents. In each case, the key element is that someone else's negligence contributed to the death.

Q: Who can sue for wrongful death in Louisiana?

Under Louisiana law, the right to file a wrongful death claim belongs first to the surviving spouse and children of the deceased. If none survive, the right passes to parents, then to siblings. An attorney can confirm which family members are eligible based on the specific circumstances.

Q: When should I contact a wrongful death lawyer?

As soon as possible after the death. For deaths on or after July 1, 2024, the deadline is the longer of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury was sustained, so the operative date depends on the facts and should be confirmed with an attorney. Early legal involvement preserves evidence, secures witness accounts, and protects your ability to recover.

Covington Wrongful Death Lawyer | Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers

What Is Wrongful Death?

By definition, wrongful death is the loss of life caused by the wrongful act or negligence of someone else, regardless of whether that negligence was intentional or accidental. Louisiana law provides legal remedies for surviving family members when this occurs.

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Covington, LA 70433

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What Causes Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death can result from various forms of negligence and several types of accidents. The most common causes fall into one of the following categories.

Deadly Motor Vehicle Accidents

Since 2015, motor vehicle accidents have killed an average of 33,800 people each year in the U.S. (source: NHTSA). In many crashes, driver negligence is to blame. That negligence can include:

Speeding
Texting while driving
Drunk driving
Failing to comply with traffic law

Beyond the at-fault driver, other parties can also contribute to wrongful deaths on the roads. Depending on the type of crash and how it occurred, those parties could include automakers, motor carriers, auto parts manufacturers, and government entities.

When you look at 18-wheeler wrecks, there are at least 5,000 fatal truck accidents annually in the U.S. (source: NHTSA).

Fatal Accidents Caused by Defective Products

Consumer products, vehicle parts, and industrial equipment can cause life-threatening injuries when design flaws or manufacturing defects are involved. Sometimes products contain toxic substances. In other cases, manufacturers fail to provide adequate warnings about known risks.

These failures tend to occur when manufacturers prioritize cost over safety. In the worst cases, this negligence causes fatal accidents.

Deadly Accidents at Dangerous Properties

Life-ending accidents can occur at unsafe properties. These include retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, warehouses, industrial facilities, and any other location that exposes visitors to serious hazards. Wrongful deaths at dangerous properties can result from:

Failures to contain volatile or toxic substances
Broken stair rungs or railings
Broken elevators or escalators
Poorly maintained balconies or decks
Improperly installed skylights
Falling objects or merchandise

Fatal Workplace Accidents

One workplace death occurs every 99 minutes in the U.S. (source: BLS). That is roughly 15 people a day. Statistics from OSHA and BLS show that:

About 1 in 5 workplace deaths in the private sector affects a construction worker
Sales drivers and truckers are involved in about 1 out of 5 deadly work accidents
Workplace deaths have increased among older workers (55+), Latinx workers, and grounds maintenance workers
High-risk occupations include oil field workers, loggers, fishermen, and roofers

What We Handle

Covington Practice Areas

Who Can Be Sued After a Wrongful Death?

To determine who can be sued, you need to identify every party whose negligence contributed to the death. Potential defendants depend on the type of accident and the specific facts of the case. They may include at-fault drivers, employers, product manufacturers, property owners, and government entities. Multiple parties can share liability.

Under Louisiana law, for a death on or after July 1, 2024, a wrongful death claim must be filed within the longer of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury was sustained (La. C.C. Art. 2315.2, as amended by Acts 2025 No. 176 and No. 488); a related survival action follows the same longer-of rule (La. C.C. Art. 2315.1). A medical-malpractice wrongful death action prescribes one year from the date of death, and deaths before July 1, 2024 fall under the prior one-year-from-death rule. Because the operative date depends on the facts, confirm it with an attorney. Claims against government entities may be subject to shorter notice requirements. Missing the deadline ends your ability to recover.

Representative Results

$409 Million Wrongful Death

A tragic case where an impaired driver of a commercial vehicle ran a red light, then collided with our client, causing serious bodily injury to the mother and the loss of life of her daughter.

$49 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

An impaired driver of a stolen vehicle driving the wrong way collided with our client head-on, resulting in brain injury and multiple broken bones.

$32.2 Million Industrial / Workplace

Failure to maintain proper safety protocols led to an explosion at an industrial plant causing a series of catastrophic injuries from broken bones, burns, spinal injury, and mental anguish.

$31.5 Million Industrial / Workplace

Brain and spinal injuries followed an oil-field company failing to maintain equipment and provide a safe work site.

$17.2 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Client was struck head-on by a disconnected load of an 18-wheeler that crossed the median causing broken bones and amputation.

$13 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

On the interstate, an 18-wheeler failed to yield right of way then made an unsafe lane change causing the accident which resulted in major bone breaks, damaged organs, and ultimately a leg amputation.

$12.1 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle failed to stop at a red light subsequently crashing into our client causing serious brain injury and permanent loss of function.

$7 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

When the other vehicle struck our client, the result was a major hemorrhage and a stroke.

$7 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

An 18-wheeler cut across traffic on an illegal left turn and hit our client, who suffered neck and back injuries.

$6.2 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

A fatigued commercial-vehicle driver fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended our client, leaving our client with severe neck and back injuries.

$5 Million Wrongful Death

A hydraulic line exploded at a job site, taking the life of our client's loved one.

$4 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Our client's vehicle was struck by the at-fault vehicle, resulting in neck and back injuries.

$3.2 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

While our client was stopped, the at-fault driver rear-ended our client's vehicle and set it on fire, leaving our client seriously hurt.

$3.1 Million Wrongful Death

An 18-wheeler caused a fatal collision that took the life of our client's loved one.

$3 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle struck and killed our client's loved one, who was on foot.

$3 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

Out on the highway, the at-fault driver hit our client.

$2.9 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

Our client was rear-ended by the other driver and seriously injured.

$2.8 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

On the highway, an unsecured load came off an 18-wheeler and struck our client's vehicle, causing orthopedic injuries.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is decided on its own facts. See our full case results.

How Does a Wrongful Death Claim Work?

The details of the process vary from case to case. The claim is filed by eligible surviving family members under Louisiana law. To prevail, the claim must establish that the defendant was negligent, that the negligence caused the death, and that the survivors suffered damages as a result.

The process typically involves evidence gathering, expert witnesses, insurance negotiations, and in some cases, trial. An attorney handles the legal work required to build and advance the claim at each stage.

Your Covington Injury Attorneys

Founding partners Trey Morris and Justin Dewett lead every Covington injury case Morris & Dewett takes.

When Should I Contact a Covington Wrongful Death Lawyer?

As soon as possible. For a death on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana’s prescriptive period for a wrongful death claim is the longer of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury was sustained, and it passes faster than you expect. Once it runs, the claim is gone. A lawyer can start preserving evidence immediately, identify all at-fault parties early, and position the claim for the best possible outcome. Early involvement improves your options.

What clients say

★★★★★
Thanks Morris and Dewett for the excellent work you have done on my behalf.
I want to personally thank Sarah for her kindness.
Lydell ScottCovington Office · Jun. 18, 2026
★★★★★
Attorney Shavers & Sarah were awesome!
They made me feel important & as if I was their only client! A big thank you to the entire business.
Kimberly CapersCovington Office · Jun. 1, 2026
★★★★★
I hired Morris and Dewett back in November of 2025.
They helped me get through my hard times of being off work, stress, and worry. Anytime I had a question I could call and they always had an answer. Very nice and professtional people. Thank you Morris and Dewett for making this an easy process for me and my family.
jonathan ChandlerShreveport Office · Jun. 27, 2026
★★★★★
Morris and Dewett and their team of attorneys and staff go above and beyond.
They always were there to support me and answer all my questions after a shoulder injury that included multiple surgeries. They are caring and compassionate and that goes a long way! Highly recommended!
Carolyn LawsonMinden Office · Jun. 26, 2026
★★★★★
Morris & Dewett does things the right way!
They put their clients first in measurable and impactful ways.
Brooke BirkeyRuston Office · Jun. 11, 2026
★★★★★
First time being injured and needing a lawyer they where very helpful.
They answered my questions Id have very well. Highly recommend them.
Sarah StarlingLake Charles Office · Jun. 5, 2026

Reviews reflect individual client experiences. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Compensation varies from case to case. In Louisiana wrongful death claims, damages can include:

Medical expenses the deceased incurred before death
Funeral and burial costs
Lost income and financial support the deceased would have provided
Loss of love, companionship, and consortium
Survivor’s grief and mental anguish

The value of a claim depends on the specific facts, the strength of the evidence, and which parties can be held liable. View our case results to see the outcomes we have achieved for clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is wrongful death?: Wrongful death is the loss of life caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another party. The negligence can be intentional or accidental. Louisiana law gives eligible surviving family members the right to file a civil claim seeking compensation from the party or parties responsible.
Q: What causes wrongful death?: Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, fatal truck crashes, defective products, dangerous property conditions, and workplace accidents. In each case, the key element is that someone else's negligence contributed to the death.
Q: Who can sue for wrongful death in Louisiana?: Under Louisiana law, the right to file a wrongful death claim belongs first to the surviving spouse and children of the deceased. If none survive, the right passes to parents, then to siblings. An attorney can confirm which family members are eligible based on the specific circumstances.
Q: How does a wrongful death claim work?: Eligible family members file a claim identifying the at-fault party and establishing that the negligence caused the death and produced compensable damages. The process involves evidence collection, legal filings, negotiations with insurers or opposing counsel, and in some cases a trial. For deaths on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana's prescriptive period gives families the longer of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury was sustained; deaths before that date fall under the prior one-year-from-death rule. A medical-malpractice wrongful death action prescribes one year from the date of death. Confirm the operative date with an attorney.
Q: When should I contact a wrongful death lawyer?: As soon as possible after the death. For deaths on or after July 1, 2024, the deadline is the longer of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury was sustained, so the operative date depends on the facts and should be confirmed with an attorney. Early legal involvement preserves evidence, secures witness accounts, and protects your ability to recover.
Q: What damages are available in a wrongful death claim?: Louisiana wrongful death damages can include funeral and burial costs, medical bills incurred before death, lost income and financial support, and damages for loss of love and companionship. Surviving family members may also recover for their own grief and mental anguish. The total depends on the facts of the case and what can be proven.