Wrongful death is a legal principle under which a representative of a deceased person goes to court to claim compensation for the negligent death of the deceased. Wrongful death suits generally arise from the law of the respective state where the death occurred.

It is important to examine state law in order to determine the amount of compensation and the type of litigation that must be brought. The cause of the death generally must be related to negligence on the part of a person or corporation. The state law usually determines which of the family may be entitled to compensation. Strict state statutes of limitations place a deadline on the filing of any case.

There may be certain exceptions which will extend the deadline and allow a suit to be brought even after the statute has run.

If a party is considering bringing a claim on behalf of a deceased person, it should not be delayed and a lawyer practicing in this area should be retained. Probate law and personal injury law in each respective state must be combined in order to efficiently and effectively litigate such claims.

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