Gonzales Wrongful Death Lawyer

When you lose a loved one because of the lack of care, recklessness, or misconduct of another party, it can make the loss even harder to deal with. Many families deal with financial hardship in addition to the personal and emotional difficulties of a loss due to loss of income and support, and excessive funeral and burial costs. A Gonzales wrongful death lawyer can help surviving families navigate a claim to hold the at-fault party accountable and get needed financial support.

Get Justice With an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney

It is never easy to deal with losing a loved one. It can be overwhelming to imagine filing a claim, but working with our firm can make this process easier for you. At Gauthier Amedee, we have decades of experience handling many types of personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Financial compensation will never make up for the loss you’ve suffered. Compensation instead holds the at-fault party responsible, provides you and your family with closure, and gives you the financial support you need as you grieve. Our firm can help you with each step of the process, easing your stress and fighting for the justice that you and your loved ones deserve.

How Can You File for a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is possible when someone dies because of the negligence or offense of another person or entity. If the individual had had the grounds for a personal injury claim if they’d survived their injuries, then their surviving family members likely have the grounds for a wrongful death claim.

Not all family members can file this claim. Family members can file a wrongful death claim if they are:

1. The surviving spouse or a child of the deceased
2. A parent of the deceased, and there is no surviving spouse or child
3. The siblings of the deceased, if there is no surviving parent, spouse, or child
4. A grandparent of the deceased, if there is no surviving sibling, parent, spouse, or child

In this claim, these family members can recover certain economic and non-economic damages they’ve suffered because of the loss of their loved one. These claims are not criminal cases but are civil claims.

What Are Common Reasons for Wrongful Death Claims?

Wrongful death claims can happen in many of the same scenarios as personal injury claims. Some of the most common reasons for these claims include:

• Motor vehicle accidents. Vehicle collisions are a frequent cause of fatalities, including in Gonzales. The majority of accidents that occurred in Ascension Parish occurred in rural Ascension, with Gonzales being the next-highest number of injured individuals. In Gonzales in 2024, there were sadly four fatalities in vehicle accidents.

  After a car accident, injured parties can file claims with the insurer of the at-fault driver. Family members can file a claim against a driver for damages. A driver may be considered at fault for being distracted, driving under the influence, or committing moving violations.

  Fatal accidents are especially likely when one involved vehicle is much larger or smaller than the others. Passenger cars are more likely to suffer significant damage in crashes with commercial vehicles. Motorcyclists and bicyclists suffer worse injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Pedestrians also suffer significant injuries and often death in car accidents.

• Medical malpractice. Malpractice happens when medical professionals deviate from the expected professional standard of care. This can include creating the wrong prescription, misdiagnosing an illness or injury despite the evidence, or making surgical errors. These negligent actions or inactions can lead to someone’s injury or death.

  There were 227 medical malpractice payment reports in Louisiana in 2024, with 95 of those payment reports valued between $50,000 and $99,999. These 95 payments totaled about $6.5 million, while all 227 reports totaled more than $65 million. These claims are complex and are much easier to navigate with the help of a skilled attorney.

• Workplace accidents. There are many hazardous workplaces in the state. In 2020, there were approximately 10,200 cases of injuries and illnesses in Louisiana workplaces that required days off from work. There were 1,229 cases of work-related inpatient hospitalizations. In 2020, there were 103 fatal work-related injuries, and Louisiana had a higher rate of fatal injuries per full-time employee compared to the U.S. overall.

  Workplace fatalities can happen in any line of work but are especially common in hazardous work sites like offshore platforms, chemical plants, processing facilities, refineries, warehouses, construction, and other industrial work. Surviving family members can collect death benefits through workers’ compensation, but may also be able to file a wrongful death claim in specific circumstances.

There are many other types of accidents that could result in a wrongful death claim, such as death from dog attacks, defective product injuries, or hazards on someone’s property. It’s important to work with an experienced attorney if you think you have the grounds for a claim. An attorney can review the cause of the accident and determine whether you can file a wrongful death claim or a survival action.

Time Limits for Wrongful Death Claims

It’s important to act quickly if you believe you have the grounds for a wrongful death claim. While it can be difficult to begin a claim at this time, it’s important to do so. There is a limited period of time after a person’s death during which a claim can be filed, and missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering any damages.

Talk with an attorney sooner rather than later to give your case a better chance of success and secure the financial stability you and your family need.

What Damages Can You Get in a Wrongful Death Claim?

The damages you can recover in a wrongful death claim could include some of the following losses:

• Funeral expenses
• Burial or cremation expenses
• Lost wages and benefits
• Future savings
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and support
• Pain and suffering damages from before death
• Medical costs from prior to death

An attorney can assess your case and determine the value of your losses. Your attorney can also fight for full and fair compensation based on these calculations.

Get in Contact With Gauthier Amedee in Gonzales Today

At Gauthier Amedee, we are proud to support families and individuals throughout the communities we serve, including in Gonzales. We understand how difficult these cases can be, and we protect your interests. Contact Gauthier Amedee today and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.