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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Garcia’s 152-page wrongful death lawsuit against Character. Johnny Dodd, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 Sherard died in August at age 83, leaving behind a handful of properties, a company that owes more than $15,000 in unpaid Municipal Court fines for building code violations, and a wrongful death lawsuit still under appeal. Cary Spivak, Journal Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2024 The wrongful death suit was filed Monday against Impact Plastics and CEO Gerald O’Connor. Andy Rose, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024 Several lawsuits have since been filed against Boar's Head in the wake of the outbreak, including a wrongful death suit on behalf of the family of a Holocaust survivor who died as a result of eating contaminated liverwurst. Mike Snider and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wrongful death 

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrongful death was in 1952

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. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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