Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A lawsuit brought on behalf of a decedent's survivors for damages due to a tortious injury resulting in death is called a wrongful death action. This type of legal claim allows family members or dependents of the deceased to seek compensation for their losses, which can include emotional suffering, loss of companionship, and financial support that the deceased could have provided.

In wrongful death cases, the emphasis is on the impact of the death on the surviving family members rather than on the injuries sustained by the decedent prior to their death. This distinguishes it from a survival action, which pertains to the personal injury claims the deceased could have pursued had they survived. The focus of a survival action is on the decedent’s own suffering and losses.

Understanding the specific nature of a wrongful death action is crucial for private investigators and those in the legal field, as it impacts how cases are handled and the types of evidence and testimonies that may be needed to support the claim.