Merriam-Webster defines wrongful death as “a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another.” It is a legal term and it does include murder – in fact, sometimes a civil trial for monetary damages will occur after the related criminal trial has concluded. Civil trials have a less stringent standard of proof than criminal, so – such as in the famous O.J. Simpson trials – a person may be found financially liable for the wrongful death of another, even if he or she was not found guilty of murder.

Other common instances that may result in “wrongful death” are: motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice (the negligence of a physician or other health care provider results in the death of a patient), criminal activities, hazardous recreational activities, and workplace/occupational injury that leads to death.