Yes, drunk drivers can be held liable when they cause a wrongful death in New Orleans. In fact, when drunk driving is the cause of a wrongful death, there will often be two separate legal actions happening to the drunk driver. First, police will pursue criminal charges against the driver, which may include a homicide charge.
Second, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the drunk driver, alleging that their choice to get drunk and drive represents gross negligence, and that they are therefore responsible for compensating the family who has suffered the resulting loss.
Damages may include economic losses, including medical and burial expenses, lost wages and compensation, and property damage, as well as non-economic factors like the pain and suffering your loved one experienced, and the loss of companionship your family is suffering.
Proving negligence on the part of a drunk driver, especially when there is a criminal conviction, is relatively straightforward.
Making sure that your family receives all the compensation it is entitled to in this difficult time is the job of experienced New Orleans wrongful death attorneys.
At The Gertler Law Firm, we help families recover from the financial loss of a loved one, so they can begin to heal. Call us today at (504) 581-6411 for a free consultation with an experienced New Orleans attorney that can help with a lawsuit for an accidental death caused by a drunk driver.