Lake Charles Wrongful Death Lawyer
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Date Last Updated: August 27, 2026
Losing a loved one is always hard, but it’s even more devastating when it happens because of a preventable accident. If another person’s carelessness led to your loss, you have the right to seek justice and compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful death cases are often complex. Insurance companies and those at fault may do everything they can to avoid taking responsibility. You don’t have to manage this situation on your own. The experienced Lake Charles injury and wrongful death lawyers from Shamieh Law can help. We are ready to hold the liable parties responsible and pursue damages on behalf of you and your family.
Why Choose Shamieh Law’s Wrongful Death Lawyers in Lake Charles?
When you work with us, you benefit from a team that has successfully secured over $300 million for personal injury clients, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Our firm is built on the philosophy, “Winning With Awareness,” which drives us to treat every client with compassion, dignity, and respect as we relentlessly pursue meaningful results.
From the first consultation through resolution, we handle the investigation, evidence gathering, negotiations, litigation, and all other details in between. We keep you informed at every stage so you’re never left wondering what’s happening with your case. Whether your loved one died in a car crash, boating incident, at work, or on someone else’s property due to negligence, our attorneys are here to help.
There are no upfront attorney fees. You only pay if we win your case. We offer free consultations so you can understand your legal options without any financial pressure.
Meet the Attorneys Fighting for Lake Charles Families
Ramez Shamieh, our founding partner, is proud to serve Lake Charles, the community where he was born and raised. He leads a dedicated team that includes Max Guthrie and Nicholas Anthony. Max, a lifelong friend of Ramez, is committed to going above and beyond for each client. Nick, who earned his law degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, excels under pressure and brings valuable insights to every case. Together, we’re devoted to delivering exceptional results for our clients.
Our award-winning team of attorneys has been recognized by multiple professional organizations and publications, including:
- The American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Super Lawyers
Wrongful Death Case Settlements
At Shamieh Law, we provide personal attention, responsive communication, and exceptional service to our clients. Together, our team has secured significant results for our clients, including:
- $9,500,000 when a worker fell 30 feet to their death due to a lack of training and safety equipment
- $5,000,000 arbitration result when an employee was tragically murdered by a robber after repeatedly outcrying that more security was needed
- $1 million when a charter bus driver lost their life in a head-on collision caused by another driver
- $1,000,000 when an employee was murdered by a disgruntled patron who returned to the business
Louisiana Wrongful Death Definition
Louisiana law defines wrongful death simply as death “due to the fault of another.” The underlying act that leads to the death can be either intentional or unintentional. It can also be based on someone’s failure to take action.
Working with an experienced wrongful death lawyer who can help you fight for justice and accountability is essential. Our wrongful death attorneys at Shamieh Law have extensive experience handling these kinds of cases throughout Louisiana and beyond. Our compassionate legal team will stand by you and your family throughout the life of your case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Lake Charles?
Louisiana law gives certain family members priority based on their relationship to the person who died. In order of priority, they include:
- Spouse and children
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandparents
This hierarchical system helps prevent competing lawsuits from other relatives and focuses recovery efforts on those closest to or most dependent on the victim. If you are unsure of whether you may file a claim, our wrongful death attorneys can explain how these rules may apply to your situation.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Louisiana
Louisiana law normally sets a one-year deadline to file a wrongful death claim in Louisiana. The countdown starts on the date of your loved one’s passing.
Though this deadline is normally strictly enforced, there may be exceptions. For example, exceptions may exist for plaintiffs who are minors, in cases where the death was caused by a criminal act, and in cases where the cause of death was not knowable before the deadline passed.
However, it is best to consult with a skilled wrongful death attorney before relying on potential exceptions. Remember, failure to file by the deadline will most likely result in your case being dismissed in court. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after a fatal accident is the best way to avoid dismissal of your claim.
Potential Compensation in a Lake Charles Wrongful Death Lawsuit
No amount of money can make up for a loss of life. Even so, the law allows surviving family members to sue for monetary compensation if they lose a loved one due to the actions of another. They can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills of the decedent
- Lost future earnings
- Loss of services
- Grief and anguish
- Loss of companionship, care, guidance, and support of the decedent
- Funeral and burial costs
In some cases, you may also recover punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages. Louisiana allows for this form of damages only when explicitly allowed by statute. For example, it may be available in cases involving “wanton and reckless behavior” by drunk drivers and domestic abusers.
Comparative Fault in Lake Charles Wrongful Death Claims
Louisiana law applies the doctrine of comparative fault in personal injury claims, including wrongful death actions. Under this law, if your loved one contributed to the cause of their death, the amount of damages available through a lawsuit will be reduced proportionately to their responsibility for the accident.
For example, if someone dies in a car accident caused by the other driver’s illegal lane change, but the decedent was speeding, a court may assign 80% fault to the other driver and 20% to the decedent. If a court determines that the full value of the claim is $1 million, the compensable damages would be reduced accordingly to $800,000.
Proving Wrongful Death in Louisiana
A wrongful death claim requires a preponderance of evidence showing that another party’s negligence caused your loved one’s death and related damages. Meaning, you must show that the defendant was more likely than not at fault. This requires proving that the defendant failed to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others.
Depending on the circumstances, supporting evidence may include:
- Police or accident reports
- Medical records
- Photos, videos, or surveillance footage
- Statements from people who witnessed the incident
- Expert testimony
- Digital data logs from vehicles and cell phone records
Defendants and insurance companies may try to shift blame or dispute who was responsible for your loved one’s death. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can handle these challenges while gathering the evidence needed to support your claim. Our attorneys have the experience and resources to manage your case from start to finish.
How Can a Wrongful Death Attorney Help?
A knowledgeable Lake Charles wrongful death lawyer from Shamieh Law can help you navigate this complex area of the law. Our compassionate legal team will support you and your family throughout the life of your case. Among other things, we can help by:
- Explaining your legal rights so you can make informed decisions
- Collecting evidence
- Securing expert testimony
- Determining if one or more parties are liable
- Calculating your damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Fighting for you at trial
You and your family have enough on your plate. We understand the challenges you are likely going through and are ready to help. We are backed by nationally recognized and award-winning lawyers who have served clients since 2014. Let us put our extensive legal skills to work for you.
Contact Shamieh Law's Wrongful Death Attorneys in Lake Charles
Again, no amount of money can make up for the death of someone you love. Even so, if you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s carelessness, a wrongful death attorney at Shamieh Law can help you evaluate your right to seek compensation for your loss.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations, so there is no downside to having one of our skilled injury attorneys review your case. To learn more about how we can help you and your family, contact our Lake Charles personal injury law office by calling 337-435-8071 or filling out our online contact form.
Lake Charles Wrongful Death FAQs
Understandably, grieving family members normally have numerous questions about the legal aftermath of a loved one’s passing due to a wrongful death. These are some of the most common questions we get from our clients.
Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable in Louisiana?
Compensatory damages (i.e., economic and non-economic damages) you receive in a wrongful death lawsuit are normally not taxable by the IRS. However, you must pay taxes on punitive damages. It is important to remember that tax law is very complex and there may be other exceptions. Therefore, it is best to consult with your attorney to determine what taxes you may owe after receiving a wrongful death settlement or verdict.
How Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Different From a Survival Action?
A wrongful death action is a lawsuit brought to seek compensation for harm suffered by surviving loved ones. By contrast, a survival action is brought to seek compensation that the decedent could have sought through a personal injury lawsuit had they survived. Often, wrongful death and survival actions are brought in tandem.
What Types of Evidence Do I Need for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In a wrongful death lawsuit, you must prove that the defendant caused your loved one’s death by a preponderance of the evidence. In other words, you must prove that they were more likely than not at fault. Relevant evidence may include medical records, police reports, corporate records, witness statements, expert testimony, and more. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you gather strong evidence to substantiate your case.