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

That reporting revealed that the state frequently seizes money from legal settlements stemming from medical malpractice, police brutality, workplace injury and other wrongful death lawsuits. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Flores, bereft and angry, rejected the settlement offered by Oates’ insurance company and filed a wrongful death suit against the developer. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

The suit accuses Publix of wrongful death, alleging breach of warranty and negligence. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026

The lawsuit on behalf of the Aleman family is for wrongful death and alleges negligence on the part of several parties. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 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