wrongful death

noun

: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another

Examples of wrongful death in a Sentence

She filed a wrongful death suit against the hospital, alleging that its negligence led to her daughter's death.

Recent Examples on the Web

Members of his family also filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit in civil court against Fatherley, other deputies who restrained Adair, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK. — Sofi Zeman august 26, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

According to a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lindsay's ex-husband Patrick Clancy, the 36-year-old is paralyzed below the sternum. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

That led, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed against Vista, to the death of Chelsea Adolphus, 28, from hypothermia after being found on the roof of the hospital during a cold spell in late January 2025. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Excessive caffeine consumption has become a liability concern after Panera Bread’s Charged Lemonade was named in at least two wrongful death lawsuits. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wrongful death

• shibboleth
• beth
• breath
• heth
• lethe
• meth
• neath
• seth
• sheth
• sneath

Legal Definition

wrongful death

noun

: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another

sought damages for the wrongful death of their murdered daughter