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wrongful death
noun
: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another
Examples of wrongful death in a Sentence
She filed a wrongful death suit against the hospital, alleging that its negligence led to her daughter's death.
Recent Examples on the Web
Disney reverses course after trying to quash wrongful death lawsuit over widower's Disney+ trial
Reps for Disney did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly's request for comment.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025
In September, Hollis filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the department and Pino.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
In a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of his family, attorneys called the officers' actions that morning unreasonable, excessive and deadly.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024
While the criminal trial played out, Neely’s father filed a wrongful death suit against Penny.
—Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wrongful death
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Word History
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near wrongful death
Cite this Entry
“Wrongful death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongful%20death. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Legal Definition
wrongful death
noun
: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another
sought damages for the wrongful death of their murdered daughter
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