A wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the deceased person (decedent) was killed as a result of the negligence (or other liability) on the part of another individual or corporation. As a result of such conduct the surviving dependents or beneficiaries are entitled to monetary damages. Wrongful death claims seek compensation for losses resulting from the family member's death. Under "common law," wrongful death claims did not exist (English common law forms the basis for American federal law). Wrongful death case actions are possible because states created "wrongful death case statutes." Available compensation and filing requirements for wrongful death case claims vary by state, although there are some general principals.

A number of situations lead to wrongful death cases being filed such as:

• Airplane Accidents
• Accidents at your home or the home of another
• Brain Injuries
• Car Accidents
• Construction Site Accidents
• Criminal Attacks
• Death in the Workplace
• Medical Mistakes
• Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Slip and Falls
• Train Accidents
• Other accidents resulting in wrongful death