A wrongful death claim is a claim made on behalf of survivors or beneficiaries when a person has died as a result of wrongful conduct (either negligent or intentional).
Such claims are generally made by those who were financially dependent upon the deceased. Damages recoverable as a part of wrongful death claims are measured as the loss incurred by virtue of the deceased having been deprived of a natural lifespan. Such damages include medical expenses prior to death, loss of earnings during the expected natural life of the deceased, and loss of consortium.