Wrongful Death Statutes Law and Legal Definition
A wrongful death statute refers to a statute that creates a cause of action for a wrongful act, neglect, or default that causes death. Wrongful death statutes differ from survival statutes. A survival statute allows a decedent's estate to sue for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Wrongful death statutes were created to provide financial support for widows and orphans, and to motivate people to exercise care to prevent injuries.
“The purpose of the wrongful death statute is not to punish those who may have caused the death, but rather, is to compensate those who may have suffered a loss as a result.” [Scully v. Armstrong, 646 F. Supp. 213 (D. Ind. 1986)].
Legal Definition list
Related Legal Terms
- Accelerated Death Benefit
- Accidental Death
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment [Insurance]
- Accidental Death Benefit
- Accidental Death Clause
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators [ABMDI]
- Angel of Death Tax Break
- Anti-Dilution Statutes
- Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
- Borrowed-Statutes Doctrine
