A person may be charged with a crime when the person’s actions lead to the death of another person. However, a wrongful death lawsuit is a civil matter that is independent of any criminal case involving the defendant. The laws related to wrongful death cases are different from the laws related to criminal cases, including the burden of proof required to win the case.
It is possible for a defendant to be found not guilty in a criminal case, but to be found liable in a wrongful death lawsuit. However, the outcome of the criminal case could complicate the wrongful death case. An experienced wrongful death attorney can provide a detailed case review, including an analysis of the evidence needed to prove your claim.