An experienced Shreveport wrongful death lawyer is a critical step you can take toward protecting your family, after losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence.
Whether the fatal incident occurred along the I-20 corridor, inside a local industrial workplace, or during a medical emergency in Caddo Parish, our team of Shreveport personal injury lawyers takes over the legal paperwork, investigation, and insurance communications for you.
Contact Babcock Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation; or call us: (225) 500-5000.
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Louisiana
Time is a luxury your family does not have in wrongful death cases. In Louisiana, the prescriptive period (statute of limitations) for wrongful death and survival actions is highly restrictive. Generally, your family has only one year from the date of your loved one’s passing to file a formal lawsuit. Failing to take action within this narrow window completely bars your family from seeking financial recovery.
The Babcock Benefit: Built for Leverage, Not Volume
Many personal injury law firms run on a high-volume business model, moving cases through a factory line to secure quick, lowball settlements.
We do things differently. Founded by veteran trial attorney Stephen Babcock, our firm intentionally limits the number of cases we accept. This ensures your family receives hyper-focused advocacy and trial-ready preparation from day one.
We don’t wait for insurers to make a fair offer. We build cases with undeniable evidence so they have no choice but to settle fairly or face us in front of a Louisiana jury.
Deciphering Wrongful Death Claims Under Louisiana Law
When a fatal injury occurs in Shreveport, surviving family members often face a confusing web of legal terms.
Louisiana Civil Code separates these fatal accident situations into two completely distinct types of legal claims.
1. Wrongful Death (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2)
This action is designed to compensate the surviving family members for the personal and financial losses they suffer after the death of their loved one. It targets the void left in your daily lives and household security, including:
- Loss of companionship, love, spiritual guidance, and emotional support.
- Severe mental anguish, grief, and psychological trauma.
- Loss of financial support, including the future income, benefits, and retirement funds the deceased would have provided.
- Reasonable funeral, burial, and cremation expenses.
2. Survival Action (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.1)
Unlike wrongful death, a survival action is a recovery sought on behalf of the deceased individual. It preserves the personal injury claim your loved one would have filed themselves had they survived the incident. This claim seeks compensation for the damages suffered from the exact second of the accident up until their passing, such as:
- Conscious pain, suffering, and physical terror experienced before death.
- Severe emotional distress and awareness of impending death.
- Accumulated medical bills, emergency transport fees, and ICU expenses.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Shreveport?
Louisiana enforces a strict statutory hierarchy determining exactly who has the legal standing to bring these claims forward. One group must be entirely absent for the next tier to file:
- The surviving spouse and/or children of the deceased.
- The surviving parents (if there is no spouse or child).
- The surviving siblings (if there are no parents, spouse, or children).
- The surviving grandparents (if no closer family members exist).
Contact A Shreveport Wrongful Death Attorney Today
You do not have to navigate the legal hassles and complexities, while mourning for your loved one.
Contact Babcock Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free case evaluation, or call (225) 500-5000.
We will listen to your story, explain your exact rights under Louisiana law, and help you determine the best strategic next steps for your family’s future.
Other Practice Areas for Shreveport Injury Victims
A fatal incident can happen anywhere, from a dark local highway to a poorly maintained commercial property. Our litigation team has decades of experience investigating complex accidents, establishing fault under La. Civ. Code art. 2316, and prosecuting claims across a comprehensive spectrum of personal injury and fatal accident types:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Slip and Fall / Premises Liability
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Brain Injuries
Last reviewed / Updated: June 12th, 2026
Editorial review note: On the above date, we checked the Louisiana Legislature pages and local public planning materials for the source-sensitive information used here.
Authored by: Stephen Babcock, Louisiana injury lawyer