Opinion ID: 2747928
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Tort of Wrongful Death

Text: In Puerto Rico, the tort of wrongful death gives rise to two separate causes of action recognized under Article 1802 of the Puerto Rico Civil Code. See P.R. LAWS ANN. tit. 31 § 5141.5 The first is the victim’s personal action for damages experienced by him or her prior to death and caused by the negligent or intentional act or omission of another person. See Montalvo, 587 F.3d at 46; Widow of Delgado, 1 P.R. Offic. Trans. 823, 825 (1973). This action is known as a “survivorship action.” The second type of tort action recognized under Article 1802 of the Puerto Rico Civil Code is the personal action that corresponds exclusively and by own right to the decedent’s 4 The District Court did not address the Colorado River argument. Therefore, we do not, either. 5 Article 1802 provides that: “A person who by an act or omission causes damage to another through fault or negligence shall be obliged to repair the damage so done.” P.R. LAWS ANN. tit. 31 § 5141. -9- relatives or any individual who personally suffers damages by virtue of the decedent’s death, regardless of status as an heir. Widow of Delgado, 1 P.R. Offic. Trans. at 825; see Montalvo, 587 F.3d at 47; Hernández, 80 P.R. Dec. at 98-99. In the present case, the complaint filed by plaintiffs invoked both types of actions under Article 1802. The complaint alleged that all named plaintiffs suffered personal damages as a result of the wrongful death of Torres-López. In addition, the Torres-Aguayo heirs alone, as members of his estate, exercised the survivorship action.6