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

Maria Melendez was pregnant with her second child when her husband Joel was killed, and has filed a wrongful death claim against the county. — Scott Lebar. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

At that point, his financial crimes were close to being exposed by his law firm and the family of a teen who filed a wrongful death lawsuit after Paul crashed a boat while drinking. — Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

In a court filing, Gallagher said Burke had left about $15,000, and the will had a provision that the heir could sue for wrongful death. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Though he was never convicted of murder, Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a wrongful death civil suit brought by Goldman’s father. — Austin Mullen, NBC news, 28 June 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