Bossier City Wrongful Death Attorneys

Compassion & Professionalism During Difficult Times

You deserve time to grieve after losing a loved one in an accident. Trying to manage a wrongful death claim to pursue justice and compensation can take away from your grieving time, though, and make the situation even more painful. To give yourself the legal and moral support that you need right now, come to Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law and talk to our Bossier City wrongful death lawyers. We are here to handle all parts of your claim in your name and pursue a fair outcome, so you can take care of yourself and your family.

For a free consultation with our legal team, call (318) 633-0186 at any time.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

A wrongful death claim is a specific type of civil claim filed by the surviving family members of someone who passed away due to the negligence or intentional wrongdoing of another party. It is justified when the death would not have occurred had the liable party or defendant not acted in the way that they did. In other words, if the deceased person could have filed a personal injury claim had they survived, then qualifying family members can file a wrongful death claim because they didn’t.

In Louisiana, only certain parties can file a wrongful death claim, including and in this order of priority:

1. Deceased’s surviving spouse and/or children
2. Deceased’s surviving parents (if there is no surviving spouse or child)
3. Deceased’s surviving siblings (if there is no surviving parent)
4. Deceased’s surviving grandparents (if there is no surviving sibling)

If none of the above parties are available to file a claim, a court may allow the deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death claim instead. In this uncommon circumstance, the damages recovered will become part of the estate’s value.

Damages in a Louisiana Wrongful Death Case

No amount of money can undo the harm and hardships you have suffered after losing a loved one in an accident. Yet compensation can help you move forward by reducing financial stress, giving you more time to grieve healthily. We fight for every penny owed to you for this tragic loss, so you can seek closure.

Economic damages that could be included in your wrongful death case include:

• Funeral and burial expenses (up to a “reasonable” cap)
• Final medical expenses
• Lost earnings and benefits that the deceased would have earned in life
• Value of household services that the deceased usually provided

Non-economic damages that might apply to your wrongful death case include:

• Grief and anguish you have felt due to the loss
• Loss of care and support from the deceased that benefitted you

Wrongful Death Claim Statute of Limitations

Louisiana has a very brief one-year statute of limitations for most wrongful death claims, starting on the day of the death. If a lawsuit is not filed in civil court during this one-year window, the court will very likely reject any claim filed after.

Get Our Legal Counsel for Every Part of Your Case

You should not worry yourself with legal busywork and conflicts with insurance companies, especially not when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Instead, give yourself the time and space you need by placing your wrongful death claim on our desks. Our Bossier City wrongful death attorneys can apply decades of combined legal experience to keep your case moving in the right direction.

We can handle all parts of your case, such as:

• Investigating the cause of your loved one’s death.
• Identifying all parties that are liable for the fatal accident or incident.
• Handling all communications with opposing parties and insurance companies.
• Attempting to negotiate a settlement to end your claim sooner rather than later.
• Representing you and your case in litigation if necessary.

Ready to learn more about your legal options after losing a loved one in an accident? Call Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law by dialing (318) 633-0186 now.