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12-611. Liability
When
death of a person is caused by wrongful act, neglect or default, and
the act, neglect or default is such as would, if death had not
ensued, have entitled the party injured to maintain an action to
recover damages in respect thereof, then, and in every such case,
the person who or the corporation which would have been liable if
death had not ensued shall be liable to an action for damages,
notwithstanding the death of the person injured, and although the
death w s caused under such circumstances as amount in law to murder
in the first or second degree or manslaughter.
12-612. Parties plaintiff; recovery; distribution
A. An
action for wrongful death shall be brought by and in the name of the
surviving husband or wife, child, parent or guardian, or personal
representative of the deceased person for and on behalf of the
surviving husband or wife, children or parents, or if none of these
survive, on behalf of the decedent's estate.
B.
Either parent may maintain the action for the death of a child, and
the guardian may maintain the action for the death of the guardian's
ward.
C.
The amount recovered in an action for wrongful death shall be
distributed to the parties provided for in subsection A in
proportion to their damages, and if recovery is on behalf of the
decedent's estate the amount shall be an asset of the estate.
D.
For the purposes of subsection A, "personal representative" includes
any person to whom letters testamentary or of administration are
granted by competent authority under the laws of this or any other
state. The personal representative may maintain the action for
wrongful death without the issuance of further letters or any other
requirement or authorization of law.
12-613. Measure of damages; nonliability for debts of decedent
In an
action for wrongful death, the jury shall give such damages as it
deems fair and just with reference to the injury resulting from the
death to the surviving parties who many be entitled to recover, and
also having regard to the mitigating or aggravating circumstances
attending the wrongful act, neglect or default. The amount recovered
in such action shall not he subject to debts or liabilities of the
deceased, unless the action is brought on behalf of the decedent's
estate. |