Glossary of Wrongful Death Terms

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Click on the first letter of the word from the list above to go to the appropriate section of the glossary.

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Wrongful Death: When a person dies due to the negligence of someone else, a "wrongful death claim" results. The rules for wrongful death insurance claims and wrongful death lawsuits are generally the same as for claims and lawsuits resulting from non-fatal injuries. However there are at least two important factors which are different: (1) if the deceased did not die immediately, then compensation for certain damages sustained by the deceased may be pursued by their estate. (2)It must be determined which of the deceased person's surviving relatives are entitled to receive compensation by way of a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.