Losing a loved one is devastating—especially when their death was caused by someone else’s negligence or misconduct. While no legal action can truly make up for that loss, a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and a sense of justice for surviving family members. If you are considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Minnesota, it’s important to understand what must be proven in order to succeed.
Below, we break down the key elements required to establish a wrongful death claim under Minnesota law.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Minnesota?
Under Minnesota law, a wrongful death claim arises when a person’s death is caused by the “wrongful act or omission” of another party. In simpler terms, if the deceased person could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, their surviving family members may instead bring a wrongful death action.
Common situations that give rise to wrongful death claims include:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
- Drunk driving crashes
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Dangerous or defective products
- Criminal acts
However, simply believing someone else was at fault is not enough. You must prove specific legal elements.
The Four Key Elements You Must Prove
To succeed in a Minnesota wrongful death claim, the plaintiff (typically a court-appointed trustee acting on behalf of the family) must prove the following:
1. The Defendant Owed a Duty of Care
First, you must establish that the defendant owed your loved one a legal duty of care. A duty of care means the defendant had a responsibility to act reasonably under the circumstances.
Examples include:
- Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely.
- Doctors have a duty to provide care that meets accepted medical standards.
- Property owners have a duty to maintain premises that are reasonably safe.
- Employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment.
If no legal duty existed, there would be no wrongful death claim.
2. The Defendant Breached That Duty
Next, you must show that the defendant breached—or failed to uphold—that duty of care. This means demonstrating that they acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally.
A breach may involve:
- Speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence
- Failing to diagnose or treat a medical condition properly
- Ignoring known safety hazards
- Selling a defective or dangerous product
In many cases, proving breach requires evidence such as accident reports, surveillance footage, medical records, expert testimony, or witness statements.
3. The Breach Directly Caused the Death
It is not enough to show that the defendant acted negligently. You must also prove causation, or that the breach of duty directly caused your loved one’s death.
Minnesota law requires two types of causation:
- Actual cause (“cause in fact”): The death would not have occurred but for the defendant’s actions.
- Proximate cause: The death was a foreseeable result of the defendant’s conduct.
If the defense can show that an unrelated factor caused the death, the claim may fail.
4. Surviving Family Members Suffered Damages
Finally, you must prove that the surviving family members suffered compensable damages as a result of the death.
In Minnesota, wrongful death damages may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
- Loss of financial support and future income
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
- Loss of services the deceased would have provided
Establishing these damages is essential to ensuring the responsible party is held financially accountable for the full impact of the loss.
Building a Strong Wrongful Death Case
Proving a wrongful death claim often requires:
- Thorough investigation
- Collection of medical and accident records
- Expert testimony
- Financial analysis of lost earnings
- Careful documentation of family losses
Because these cases can be complex and emotionally charged, having experienced legal guidance can make a significant difference in both the outcome and the stress level for surviving family members.
Contact a Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
To prove a Minnesota wrongful death claim, you must show that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, directly caused your loved one’s death, and that surviving family members suffered measurable damages. Each of these elements must be supported by clear, compelling evidence to build a strong case.
For more information, please contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and its surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198
