Wrongful death is a claim in
tort against a person who can be held liable for a death. The claim is brought in a
civil action[?], usually by close relatives. Unlike
criminal law, private parties may bring the suit. The
defendant has fewer
due process and
Constitutional protections[?] such as
immunity or the right to refuse to give
testimony. The
standard of proof[?] is typically
preponderance of the evidence[?] as opposed to
clear and convincing[?] or
beyond a reasonable doubt[?]. For all the above reasons, it is often easier for a family to seek retribution against someone for wrongful death in
tort than a proper
criminal law conviction.