Wrongful Death Lawyer in Metairie
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Losing someone you love is hard enough. When that loss happens because of someone else’s carelessness, the grief can come with anger, unanswered questions, and bills you never planned for. We’re so sorry you’re going through this.
At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, our wrongful death lawyers in Metairie help families across Jefferson Parish and New Orleans get answers and hold the right people accountable. From Old Metairie to Fat City to the homes along West Esplanade Avenue, we’re proud to serve our Metairie neighbors.
A Metairie wrongful death lawyer can take the legal work off your plate while your family grieves. Our Louisiana wrongful death lawyers deal with the insurance companies, gather the proof, and push for full compensation. You pay nothing upfront, and there’s no fee unless we win.
We’ve recovered $3 Billion for Louisiana clients, including 230+ Million dollar verdicts and settlements. Your consultation is free, and there’s no pressure to decide anything today.
Metairie Wrongful Death Statistics
Traffic crashes cause many of the deaths that lead to wrongful death claims in Louisiana. Metairie sits in the heart of the New Orleans metro area, where busy roads carry heavy traffic every day. Here’s what Louisiana crash data shows for 2024:
753
people died in 706 fatal crashes
161
people died in crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher
176
pedestrians and 44 bicyclists were killed
How Metairie Wrongful Death Lawyers Handle Your Case
From the first call, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys takes on the legal work so your family can focus on each other. Your consultation is free, and we’ll explain your options in plain language. If you choose to work with us, we can:
- Get the police report, coroner’s report, and autopsy results (if one was done)
- Preserve evidence like vehicles, video footage, and phone records
- Interview witnesses while memories are fresh
- Gather medical records and bills from your loved one’s final care
- Bring in experts, like crash reconstruction or medical experts, when needed
- Identify everyone who may share the blame, from drivers to businesses
- Find every insurance policy that may apply
- Handle all calls with insurance adjusters
- Prepare for trial if a fair offer never comes
To win a wrongful death case, we must show that someone owed your loved one a duty of care, failed to meet it, and caused the death and your family’s losses. As your wrongful death lawsuit attorneys, we build that proof and keep you updated at every step. We prepare every case as if it’s headed to court, because strong preparation pushes insurers to take your claim seriously.
If your loved one died across the parish line, our wrongful death attorneys in New Orleans can help your family too.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
No amount of money can bring your loved one back. But compensation can ease the financial strain and hold the responsible party accountable. Louisiana law allows two kinds of claims after a death caused by someone else’s fault:
- Wrongful death action: Your family’s own losses because of the death
- Survival action: The losses your loved one suffered between the injury and death
Our wrongful death compensation lawyers fight for the full value of both claims, which may include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills from your loved one’s final care
- Lost income and financial support your family counted on
- Loss of love, companionship, and guidance (the law calls this “loss of consortium, service, and society”)
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering before death
- Exemplary (punitive) damages in limited cases, such as a death caused by a drunk driver
Every family’s losses are different. We look at what your loved one meant to your family, today and for years to come, so a quick settlement doesn’t leave you short.
Common Legal Challenges After a Wrongful Death in Metairie
Wrongful death cases can get complicated, partly because the person who knew the most about what happened can’t tell their story. Families often face:
- Insurers who blame the person who died
- Disputes over which family members can file
- Several at-fault parties blaming each other
- Drivers with little or no insurance
- Lowball offers that ignore years of lost support
- Workplace deaths, where workers’ compensation rules can limit claims against the employer but not always against others
- No criminal charges, which doesn’t mean your family has no civil claim
These challenges are hard to face while grieving, and you don’t have to face them alone. With 679+ years of combined legal experience, our Jefferson Parish wrongful death lawyers know how to build a strong case.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Wrongful Death in Metairie
Grief makes it hard to think about legal steps, and insurance companies know it. A wrongful death claim lawyer in Metairie can help you avoid these common missteps:
- Giving a recorded statement to the other side’s insurance company
- Signing papers or accepting an early settlement offer
- Throwing away your loved one’s phone, clothing, or other belongings from the incident
- Letting a damaged vehicle be repaired, sold, or scrapped before it’s inspected
- Posting about the death or the case on social media
- Waiting for a criminal case to end before calling a lawyer
- Assuming you have plenty of time to file
Already made one of these mistakes? Don’t panic. Call us, and we’ll work to protect your family’s rights.
Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney Near New Orleans Today
Injured in an Accident? Find Legal Help Near You
Looking for a wrongful death lawyer near you? From Williams Boulevard in Kenner to the streets of Bucktown, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys is here for families across Jefferson Parish. You can meet with our team at Gordon McKernan’s New Orleans office on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie.
We offer statewide support with local service, so your family never feels like just another case file. Your consultation is 100% free, and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. That’s the G Guarantee.
Deadlines in wrongful death cases can be short, so don’t let the insurance company set the terms. Call 888.501.7888 today. Get Gordon. Get It Done.
Causes of Wrongful Death in Metairie
As fatal accident attorneys in Metairie, our first job is to find out exactly what went wrong and who is responsible. That answer shapes every part of your family’s claim. Below are some of the most common causes we handle.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. Viewing this website or contacting our firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Understanding Metairie Wrongful Death Laws
Louisiana has strict rules about who can file a wrongful death claim and when. The law lists family members in order. Each group can file only if no one in the group above it survived:
- The surviving spouse and children
- Parents
- Brothers and sisters
- Grandparents
Adopted children and adoptive parents have the same rights. A parent who abandoned the person who died while he or she was a minor may lose the right to recover.
Statute Of Limitations:
Louisiana calls the filing deadline the “prescriptive period.” If you miss it, your family could lose the right to recover.
- 1 year from the death or 2 years from the injury, whichever is longer, for wrongful death and survival claims
- 1 year from the death for deaths caused by medical malpractice, plus extra steps like a medical review panel
- Older cases may follow shorter deadlines.
For example, if a crash causes a death on the same day, your family generally has 2 years to file. A Metairie wrongful death attorney can confirm your exact deadline.
Comparative Fault:
Since January 1, 2026, Louisiana follows a modified comparative fault rule. If your loved one is found less than 51% at fault, your family’s award is reduced by that share. At 51% or more, the family can’t recover damages.
Insurers may try to shift blame onto someone who can no longer tell their side, so strong evidence matters. Deaths before 2026 may be handled differently.
Minimum Insurance Requirements:
For deaths caused by car crashes, Louisiana drivers must carry at least:
- $15,000 for injury or death of one person
- $30,000 for injury or death of two or more people per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
These limits are low compared to what a family loses after a death. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage can help fill the gap, and Louisiana auto policies include it unless the policyholder rejected it or chose lower limits. Many trucks that haul freight across state lines must carry at least $750,000 under federal rules, so a fatal truck accident attorney will check every layer of coverage.
If a crash took your loved one, our New Orleans fatal car accident lawyers know how to track down every policy that may apply. Deaths caused by businesses, property owners, or doctors involve different insurance, and we look for every policy in those cases too.
Need help understanding how these rules apply to your case? Contact us today for a free consultation.
Don’t Wait — Talk to a New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
At Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys, we understand that emotional and physical recovery come hand and hand after an injury or accident. We also know that you may not have the energy or time to fight with an insurance company and the complexities of your personal injury claim.
How It Works
Filing a claim with Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys is easy!
Simply follow the steps below.
Get Your Free Consultation
Fill out our quick and easy form to find out if your case qualifies. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we are here to help whether you hire us or not!
Hear From An Attorney
Our team will evaluate your case and decide on the best course of action. One of our lawyers will get back to you promptly and begin the process of winning your case!
Get Gordon!
Get It Done!
Once your case has been evaluated and deemed a good fit for our firm, our team will go to work immediately on gathering evidence, building your case, and getting you the compensation that you deserve.
Frequent Answered
Questions
- Is a Wrongful Death Settlement Taxable in Louisiana?
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- Do I Have a Wrongful Death Case?
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- How Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Different from a Personal Injury Case?
- How Do You Prove a Wrongful Death Claim?
- What Wrongful Death Damages Can We Recover?
- How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take?
- How Much Will a Wrongful Death Suit Cost?
- When Should I Call a Lawyer Regarding My Wrongful Death Case?
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Metairie Blog Posts
Office Locations
Denham Springs Office
163 Del Orleans Ave., Denham Springs, LA 70726
Gonzales Office
220 S. Burnside Ave. Gonzales, LA 70737
New Orleans Office
3900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. STE 300 Metairie, LA 70002
Zachary Office
4361 Main St. Zachary, LA 70791
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