New Orleans East Wrongful Death Attorney
Helping Families Seek Justice After a Wrongful Death in New Orleans East
The sudden loss of a loved one can leave families facing emotional trauma, financial uncertainty, and anger about what happened. When a death occurs because of another party’s negligence or misconduct, Louisiana law allows certain surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Virtually any type of personal injury claim can potentially become a wrongful death claim. Fatal injuries can be sustained due to serious car accidents, unsafe property conditions, defective products, medical negligence, or any other type of negligent act.

Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents families in New Orleans East who are seeking accountability and financial recovery after the loss of a loved one caused by someone else’s actions.
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death in Louisiana
A wrongful death claim can be brought when a person dies as a result of someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongful conduct. The claim allows certain surviving family members to pursue compensation for the losses they suffer because of that death. Common causes of wrongful death include:
- Car accidents: Fatal collisions caused by negligent drivers, unsafe road conditions, or impaired driving.
- Unsafe property conditions: Dangerous hazards on commercial or residential properties that lead to fatal injuries.
- Defective products: Equipment, vehicles, or consumer products that malfunction or fail.
- Medical negligence: Serious medical errors that result in a patient’s death.
Establishing a wrongful death claim generally requires showing that someone’s negligence contributed to the fatal injury. This may involve a single defendant, as is often the case with a reckless driver, or multiple defendants, as may be the case in a commercial trucking accident, where multiple parties may share in the blame depending on the facts of the case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana
Louisiana law limits who has the legal right to bring a wrongful death claim. Rather than allowing any relative to file a claim, the law establishes a specific order of priority among surviving family members.
Those who may have the right to file include:
- The surviving spouse or children of the deceased.
- Parents, if the deceased did not leave a surviving spouse or children.
- Brothers and sisters, if the parents are not living.
- Grandparents, if none of the above relatives survive.
If no qualifying family members exist, Louisiana law may not allow for a wrongful death claim even if the death resulted from negligence.
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Losses That May Be Considered in a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death can create both financial hardship and emotional loss for surviving family members. Louisiana law allows compensation for several types of losses connected to the death, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses: Costs associated with final arrangements.
- Loss of financial support: Income and financial contributions the deceased provided to the household.
- Loss of companionship and guidance: The absence of emotional support, care, and family relationships.
- Emotional suffering: The long-term psychological trauma experienced by surviving family members.
Courts consider the nature of the relationship between the deceased and the surviving family member, including factors such as financial dependence, emotional support, and the closeness of the relationship.
Survival Actions in Louisiana
In some cases, a related legal claim known as a survival action may also be available. These are damages the deceased would have been able to claim in a typical personal injury case if they had survived. They can include:
- Medical bills from attempts to save the victim’s life
- Pain and suffering experienced before death
- Lost wages between injury and death
- Mental anguish or distress experienced before death
Those damages technically belong to the deceased’s claim, which is why they persist through the survival action. In most fatal accident cases, such as a serious car accident, attorneys pursue both claims in the same lawsuit:
- The survival action compensates what the victim endured before death
- The wrongful death claim compensates the family’s losses after the death
Evidence That May Be Important in a Wrongful Death Case
Like with personal injury claims, wrongful death claims require careful investigation to determine how the fatal incident occurred and whether negligence was involved. Evidence reviewed in these cases is often similar to that used in personal injury claims.
- Accident reports or investigative findings from law enforcement or other authorities.
- Medical records and cause-of-death documentation.
- Witness statements or expert analysis explaining how the incident occurred.
- Financial records showing lost income or financial support.
- Other documentation demonstrating negligent conduct.
Why Choose Lawyer Don?
There are many personal injury lawyers in the New Orleans area, and they all make similar claims about their experience and services. What sets our firm apart:
Extensive Experience
We are not afraid to take a case to court when it means protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.
Proven Track Record
Our history of successful settlements and verdicts reflects our commitment to achieving results for our clients.
Personalized Attention
One of the key differences between our firm and other accident lawyers is our commitment to client services and communication. Clients receive direct email and phone access to Lawyer Don .
Local Knowledge
As a Louisiana-based firm, we know the state’s legal system, insurance landscape, and how local courts operate.
No Fee Unless We Win
You don’t pay any attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Real Testimonials
Directions From New Orleans East to the Nearest Lawyer Don Office
Residents of New Orleans East can reach the nearest Lawyer Don office by traveling along Lake Forest Boulevard toward the Executive Plaza complex, where the office is located.
New Orleans Office
Executive Plaza
10001 Lake Forest Blvd, Suite 301
New Orleans, LA 70127
(504) 508-6414
Speak With a New Orleans East Wrongful Death Attorney
Families in New Orleans East who are dealing with the trauma of a loved one’s death can call the Law Office of Donald D’Aunoy Jr. at (504) 508-6414 to schedule a consultation. Lawyer Don can explain your options and provide dedicated, compassionate support during this difficult time.
