Mansura Wrongful Death Lawyer

Trusted Wrongful Death Attorney in Mansura, LA

Losing someone you love because of another person’s negligence is devastating. However, when that loss happens unexpectedly, you could be left trying to deal with funeral expenses, financial uncertainty, and a whole lot of unanswered questions. That’s where a Mansura wrongful death lawyer can step in.

At Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, we know these cases aren’t just about paperwork or legal deadlines. They’re about families trying to move forward after something that never should have happened.

About Us

For more than 29 years, Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has represented clients facing serious legal challenges. We’ve learned that careful preparation can matter just as much as courtroom advocacy. That’s why we pair a thorough approach with aggressive representation.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

In 2024, unintentional injuries were the number 3 cause of death in the U.S., totaling 197,449 fatalities. A wrongful death claim can develop when someone passes away due to another person’s fault, negligence, or wrongful conduct.

Every wrongful death case is different, but generally, the claim focuses on showing how another party’s actions caused the death and the losses that the surviving family members have suffered. Some common scenarios that could result in a wrongful death case include:

• Fatal motor vehicle and truck accidents
• Pedestrian and motorcycle accidents
• Workplace and construction accidents
• Dangerous or defective products
• Medical negligence
• Premises liability incidents
• Other acts of negligence or misconduct

The circumstances, the evidence, the applicable wrongful death laws, and the relationship between the deceased and the person bringing the claim all matter. Our Mansura, LA wrongful death attorneys can help you piece everything together and determine whether a legal claim could be filed.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Louisiana, the law doesn’t allow just anyone who knew or was related to the deceased to file a wrongful death claim. Instead, the law establishes a specific order of survivors who are allowed to bring the action.

This specific order establishes a hierarchy, where if the first permitted survivor doesn’t bring a claim, then it defaults to the next type of relationship in the order. If multiple people qualify within the same category, they could have rights to participate in the action.

A person in a lower-priority category generally has a right to bring the action only when there’s no surviving person in a higher-priority category, as opposed to simply because someone higher in the order chooses to give up that right. That hierarchical order includes:

• A surviving spouse or child of the deceased
• The surviving parent or parents when there’s no surviving spouse or child
• Surviving siblings when there’s no surviving spouse, child, or parent
• Surviving grandparents when there’s no surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling

Because the rules can be complicated, it’s worth getting legal advice before assuming you can or can’t bring a wrongful death case. Our team can review your family’s circumstances and explain how Louisiana’s wrongful death laws might apply.

Damages That Could Be Recovered

No amount of compensation can make up for the loss of your loved one, but a wrongful death can create serious financial consequences for the people left behind. Because of this, claims look to compensate for losses connected to the death in order to ease the financial worries of those who relied on their loved one’s support.

Depending on the circumstances, some potential damages could include:

• Costs related to burying the victim
• Medical expenses the victim incurred before their death
• Loss of income and other support like health insurance
• Loss of companionship and affection
• Loss of services and society
• Other losses permitted under Louisiana law

The financial impact of losing a family member who provided years of income or household services can extend far into the future. That’s why our wrongful death attorneys in Mansura, LA look at both the immediate and long-term effects of the loss when evaluating a wrongful death case.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Wrongful Death Case in Louisiana?

The amount of time it takes for a wrongful death case to be resolved in Louisiana depends on many different factors. Some claims resolve through settlement, while others require litigation and potentially a trial. The timeline depends on how complicated the accident was, the number of parties involved, available evidence, insurance coverage, and whether liability is disputed.

Is There a Specific Deadline That Limits How Long I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Yes, there’s a specific deadline that limits how long you have to file a wrongful death claim. Generally, a wrongful death claim needs to be filed within one year of the death, or two years from the date of the accident, whichever is longer. Because this statute can be confusing, it’s important to secure experienced legal counsel as soon as possible.

Can I Still File a Wrongful Death Claim if My Loved One Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?

Yes, you can still file a wrongful death claim if your loved one was partially responsible for the accident. Fault can be assigned to everyone who caused or contributed to a death, including the person who died. If the deceased was less than 51% at fault, the recoverable damages are generally reduced according to the percentage of responsibility that was assigned to them.

Can More Than One Person or Company Be Responsible for a Wrongful Death?

Yes, more than one person or company can be responsible for a wrongful death. Louisiana law allows the court to determine the percentage of fault attributed to each person who caused or contributed to the death. That could include multiple individuals, businesses, manufacturers, or even state or local governments, depending on what happened.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer: Local Counsel Offers an Advantage

When you need to hire a wrongful death lawyer, having someone who understands the local area can offer a real advantage. At Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, we work out of Avoyelles Parish, and we’re familiar with the courts where these matters are handled.

Our team practices in the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse and the 12th Judicial District Court, giving us firsthand experience with the judges, preferences, and procedures that can shape the course of your claim.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.