Wyoming Statutes

Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-101 (2026)

Actions for wrongful death which survive;

✓ current as of May 2026
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proceedings against executor or administrator of person liable.

Whenever the death of a person is caused by wrongful act,
neglect or default such as would have entitled the party injured
to maintain an action to recover damages if death had not
ensued, the person who would have been liable if death had not
ensued is liable in an action for damages, even though the death
was caused under circumstances as amount in law to murder in the
first or second degree or manslaughter. If the person liable
dies, the action may be brought against the executor or
administrator of his estate. If he left no estate within the
state of Wyoming, the court may appoint an administrator upon
application.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1979–2021 · leading case: Edwards v. Fogarty, 962 P.2d 879 (Wyo. 1998).
Edwards v. Fogarty, 962 P.2d 879 (Wyo. 1998). · cites it 35× “The District Court correctly found that Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-101 must be construed with Wyo.”
McMackin v. Johnson Cnty. Healthcare Ctr., 2004 WY 44 (Wyo. 2004). · cites it 10× “Since the patient's ultimate death, and not the lost chance itself, is the relevant harm under the loss of chance doctrine adopted by this Court (in those cases where death results from the lost chance), Appellant's claims against Appellees are within the actions permitted under…”
Tatum v. Schering Corp., 523 So. 2d 1042 (Ala. 1988). · cites it 6× “§ 15-51-10 (Law.Co-op.1977); S.D.Codified Laws Ann.”
Life Care Ctr. of Casper v. Leah Barrett, 2020 WY 57 (Wyo. 2020). · cites it 5× “4 [¶14] Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-38-101 creates a cause of action for wrongful death, which is to be brought by a decedent’s wrongful death representative.”
Robinson v. Pacificorp, 10 P.3d 1133 (Wyo. 2000). · cites it 6× “In her response to these motions, Robinson maintained that the allegations in her complaints gave rise to an action arising under the wrongful death statutes, Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-38-101 and 1-38-102 (LEXIS 1999), or alternatively to a negligence claim.”
In Re Est. of Johnson, 2010 WY 63 (Wyo. 2010). · cites it 6× “[¶ 7] The other legislative act that lies at the heart of this dispute is the wrongful death act, found not in the probate code, but in the civil code at Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-38-101 and 102 (LexisNexis 2009).”
Corkill v. Knowles, 955 P.2d 438 (Wyo. 1998). · cites it 5× “§§ 1-38-101 and -102 (1997), provides: § 1-38-101.”
Wetering v. Eisele, 682 P.2d 1055 (Wyo. 1984). · cites it 4× “" The administrator, appellant here, commenced a wrongful death action against the school bus driver and the school district under the authority of § 1-38-101, W.S. 1977 (Cum.Supp. 1983). In his complaint the administrator included the surviving brother and four sisters of the…”
Butler v. Halstead by & Through Colley, 770 P.2d 698 (Wyo. 1989). · cites it 6× “1977, thus permitting them to join in an action for wrongful death, brought pursuant to § 1-38-101, W.S. 1977, when the decedent leaves a surviving child.”
Nulle v. Gillette-Campbell Cnty. Jt. Powers Fire Bd., 797 P.2d 1171 (Wyo. 1990). · cites it 2× “I am troubled, however, because it does not account for the entire spectrum of parent-child relationships such as the child who is not a minor yet still dependent.”
DeJulio v. Foster, 715 P.2d 182 (Wyo. 1986). · cites it 2× “As personal representative of Eric's estate, his father, appellant Rick DeJulio brought suit for damages under the wrongful death act, §§ 1-38-101 and 1-38-102, W.S. 1977 (Cum.”
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