Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death Attorney in Richland Parish

Four Generations. Over 100 Years. Fighting for Northeast Louisiana Families.

Guerriero & Guerriero is a fourth-generation, family-owned personal injury law firm based in Monroe, Louisiana, serving Richland Parish families since 1925. When negligence takes a life, we pursue accountability on behalf of the people left behind. Wrongful death representation is a core part of our practice, and we bring over 100 years of Northeast Louisiana legal history to every case we accept.

Jeff Guerriero personally handles every claim that comes through our firm. Families in Rayville, Delhi, Mangham, and Start don’t get passed to support staff. They get direct representation from a trial-ready attorney who knows the courts and the region.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact us now for a free, confidential consultation. We’re available 24/7 by phone, in person, or virtually, and we handle every wrongful death case on a contingency fee basis: you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Call (318) 600-0000 to speak with our team today.

Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Richland Parish

Fatal accidents in Richland Parish happen in a variety of circumstances, and we represent families across the full range of negligence scenarios. Rural highway crashes, 18-wheeler collisions on commercial routes through Northeast Louisiana, and workplace fatalities all produce wrongful death claims that require aggressive, experienced representation against carriers and defendants who have their own legal teams.

We handle wrongful death claims arising from:

Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, motorcycle, and 18-wheeler crashes on state roads and rural highways
Workplace fatalities: Fatal incidents involving employer negligence or unsafe job conditions
Medical malpractice: Deaths caused by errors or failures in medical care
Nursing home neglect: Fatal outcomes resulting from inadequate care at long-term care facilities
Defective products: Deaths caused by unsafe or defectively designed products
Criminal acts: Fatal assaults or homicides where a civil claim is available against the responsible party

Start Your Richland Parish Wrongful Death Claim Today

Time is a critical factor after a fatal accident. Insurance defense teams move quickly to limit their exposure, and Louisiana’s prescriptive period generally gives families one year from the date of death to file. Recent changes to state law mean some families may have additional time depending on when and how the death occurred. Contact Guerriero & Guerriero as soon as possible to protect critical evidence and preserve every filing deadline. We’re available around the clock, consultations are always free, and there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. Call (318) 600-0000 to get started.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim Under Louisiana Law

Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2 governs who has the legal right to bring a wrongful death claim. That right belongs first to the surviving spouse and children of the deceased. If no spouse or children survive, it passes to surviving parents, then to siblings, then to grandparents. Adopted family members hold the same standing as biological relatives under Louisiana law.

A wrongful death civil case is entirely independent of any criminal proceedings. A family can pursue compensation even if no criminal charges are filed or if the at-fault party is acquitted in criminal court.

Damages Available in a Louisiana Wrongful Death Claim

Recoverable damages in a Louisiana wrongful death claim can include:

Medical expenses the deceased incurred before death
Funeral and burial costs
Lost income and financial support the deceased would have provided
Loss of companionship, guidance, and parental care
Mental anguish suffered by surviving family members

Families may also pursue a survival action alongside the wrongful death claim. This is a separate civil claim that recovers damages for the pain and suffering the deceased experienced between the injury and their death. Both claims can often be filed together.

Louisiana’s Wrongful Death Filing Deadline

Louisiana’s prescriptive period for wrongful death claims is generally one year from the date of death. Filing even one day past that deadline can permanently bar a family’s right to seek compensation. Cases involving a government entity as the at-fault party may carry an even shorter notice requirement.

A 2025 amendment to Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, effective August 1, 2025, extended the filing window for many claims. Under the updated law, families may file within one year from the date of death or two years from the date of injury, whichever is longer. Medical malpractice wrongful death claims remain limited to one year from the date of death. The applicable deadline depends on when and how the death occurred, which is why contacting a wrongful death attorney in Richland Parish promptly is the safest course. Missing a deadline means losing the right to file entirely.

Why Richland Parish Families Choose Guerriero & Guerriero

We’ve represented personal injury clients across Northeast Louisiana for over a century. That history matters in wrongful death cases, where familiarity with local courts, judges, and litigation culture directly affects how a case is built and argued. We handle civil proceedings at the Fifth Judicial District Court in Rayville without the learning curve that comes with a distant firm treating Richland Parish as a coverage checkbox.

Direct Attorney Attention
Jeff Guerriero handles every claim personally. There’s no handoff to a junior associate after the first call. Clients receive direct attorney attention from the initial consultation through resolution and are kept informed at every stage.

Proven Results
Our record reflects the commitment we bring to high-stakes personal injury cases. We’ve recovered over $10 million for clients, including a $5.5 million mass tort result and a $4.2 million medical malpractice recovery. We prepare every wrongful death case for trial from day one, which means insurance companies face a fully prepared legal opponent rather than a firm focused on a quick settlement.

Recognized Advocacy
Guerriero & Guerriero is recognized by Super Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Louisiana Association for Justice, and the American Association for Justice. Those credentials reflect decades of consistent, respected advocacy in personal injury law throughout this region.

How We Handle Wrongful Death Cases in Richland Parish

Every case begins with a detailed review of the facts and evidence surrounding the fatal incident. From there, we build the case methodically, partnering with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and financial experts when the evidence calls for it. We manage all communications with insurance companies, opposing counsel, and relevant agencies so the family doesn’t have to navigate that process while grieving.

Insurance carriers often deploy rapid-response defense teams immediately after a fatal accident to limit their financial exposure. Retaining counsel early can preserve time-sensitive evidence, help prevent recorded statements to insurers that can damage a claim, and help ensure law enforcement reports, coroner findings, toxicology results, and safety records are secured before they become harder to access.

We file all pleadings and handle court appearances at the Fifth Judicial District Court in Rayville on behalf of our Richland Parish clients. We pursue settlement negotiations aggressively, and if a fair offer can’t be reached, we can take the case to trial. Clients are asked to appear in court when their presence is truly necessary.

Common Questions from Richland Parish Families

Families often come to us with the same pressing questions after a loss. The answers below cover the issues that matter most when considering a wrongful death claim in Richland Parish.

How Long Do I Have to File?
Louisiana’s prescriptive period is generally one year from the date of death. A 2025 amendment to Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2 extended the window for many claims, allowing the longer of one year from death or two years from the date of injury, but medical malpractice wrongful death claims remain limited to one year from death. Contact an attorney immediately to confirm which deadline applies to your situation.

Who Can File the Claim?
The surviving spouse and children have the primary right to file under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2. If none exist, that right passes to parents, then siblings, then grandparents.

What Compensation Can Our Family Recover?
Damages can include medical expenses before death, funeral costs, lost income and financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, and mental anguish. A survival action for the deceased’s own pre-death suffering may also be available.

Does a Criminal Case Affect Our Civil Claim?
No. A wrongful death civil case in Louisiana proceeds independently of any criminal charges and can be pursued regardless of whether criminal proceedings are filed or how they resolve.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Richland Parish?
Guerriero & Guerriero handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. Families pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.

Losing a family member is devastating. Let us handle the legal fight so you can focus on your family. Call (318) 600-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We’re available 24/7 and never charge a fee unless we recover compensation for you.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Five-Star Client Reviews

With nearly a century of trusted service, we've earned the confidence of thousands across Louisiana. Read real stories of justice, compassion, and results.

“Thank You Guys!”
“Jeff and his team literally did anything necessary to take care of through the most challenging moments I've experienced.”

Jarrod D.
“They Saved My Life”
“They saved my life. They listened to every word without hesitation. I loved being there, and everyone had the biggest smiles on their faces. Great company, excellent staff!”

Lacee C.
“Very Satisfied”
“Great team will help you all the way to the end.”

Raylan M.
“Diligent and Focused”
“Excellent representation. Jeff and his staff are very diligent and focused on helping their clients! 10/10 would recommend!”

Byron A.
“Honest Attorney”
“If you need an honest Attorney and friendly staff that will go above and beyond, then Guerrieo & Guerriero is the place you are looking for!”

Zenovia A.
“Highly Recommend”
“It was a pleasure to work with this law firm.”

Susan F.
“Professional and Helped Me Understand”
“They got me everything I deserved and more and were always on time!”

McKenna K.
“They Take Care of You”
“They make sure that you get what you need!”

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Have questions? Ready to get started? Call (318) 600-0000 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

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A Century of Service

With roots going back nearly 100 years, Guerriero & Guerriero has earned the trust of generations across Louisiana by delivering consistent, results-driven legal representation.
Trial-Ready Approach

Led by experienced trial attorney Jeff Guerriero, the firm prepares every case as if it’s going to court—maximizing the chances of a strong settlement or courtroom victory.
Proven Track Record

We have a long-standing history of winning substantial verdicts and settlements for injured clients, with millions recovered.
No Recovery, No Fee

Clients pay nothing unless the firm wins. Guerriero & Guerriero’s contingency fee model ensures they fight hard—because they don’t get paid unless you do.