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
New York is one of only two states that do not compensate for emotional loss in wrongful death lawsuits, but that may change with the Grieving Families Act awaiting a signature from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
—
Zoe Rohrich, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
His estate was named as a defendant in the earlier wrongful death lawsuit.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 26 Sep. 2023
The family is seeking damages for wrongful death, emotional distress and unjust enrichment among other claims.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
The claim, which alleges wrongful death, negligence and a failure to summon medical assistance, among several accusations, will likely pave the way for a lawsuit over the killing.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2023
But the automaker still has to contend with a wrongful death lawsuit from the relatives of Apple engineer Walter Huang, who died in 2018 when his Tesla Model X swerved into a highway median, killing him.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023
The area’s school district also faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed this month by a family alleging the plant contributed to their son contracting lymphoma after starting middle school there.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2023
Espinoza had been standing next to a skid steer, removing manure and mud from the machine, according to a report from the sheriff’s department and an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit filed against the farm by Espinoza’s family.
—Maryam Jameel, ProPublica, 25 Oct. 2023
For years, Peter P.D. Leach had specialized in medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability and disability cases, representing clients before the state and federal courts, until complaints about him misappropriating clients’ money surfaced in early 2019.
—Amanda Milkovits, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023
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Zoe Rohrich, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
His estate was named as a defendant in the earlier wrongful death lawsuit.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 26 Sep. 2023
The family is seeking damages for wrongful death, emotional distress and unjust enrichment among other claims.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
The claim, which alleges wrongful death, negligence and a failure to summon medical assistance, among several accusations, will likely pave the way for a lawsuit over the killing.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2023
But the automaker still has to contend with a wrongful death lawsuit from the relatives of Apple engineer Walter Huang, who died in 2018 when his Tesla Model X swerved into a highway median, killing him.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023
The area’s school district also faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed this month by a family alleging the plant contributed to their son contracting lymphoma after starting middle school there.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2023
Espinoza had been standing next to a skid steer, removing manure and mud from the machine, according to a report from the sheriff’s department and an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit filed against the farm by Espinoza’s family.
—Maryam Jameel, ProPublica, 25 Oct. 2023
For years, Peter P.D. Leach had specialized in medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability and disability cases, representing clients before the state and federal courts, until complaints about him misappropriating clients’ money surfaced in early 2019.
—Amanda Milkovits, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wrongful death.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near wrongful death
Cite this Entry
“Wrongful death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongful%20death. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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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
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