A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that seeks compensation for the death of a person due to the negligence or wrongful act of another. It is filed by the victim's survivors or estate and requires proving liability based on a preponderance of the evidence (which means it is more likely than not that the defendant was responsible).
A criminal homicide case, on the other hand, is brought by the state against an individual accused of unlawfully causing someone's death. This can include charges such as manslaughter or murder. The burden of proof is higher in criminal cases, requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A criminal case aims to penalize the wrongdoer with punishments like imprisonment, not to provide compensation to the victim's family.