Final answer:
Survival actions and wrongful death claims are distinct legal concepts. A survival action pertains to the rights and losses of the deceased up to the point of death, while a wrongful death claim concerns the losses suffered by the family of the deceased. They are not the same cause of action but are related to the circumstances surrounding someone's death.
Step-by-step explanation:
A survival action and a wrongful death claim are distinct legal concepts that arise upon the death of an individual. A survival action is a cause of action that the deceased could have brought if they had survived. It allows the estate to pursue compensation for the pain and suffering, earnings, and other losses the deceased person suffered before death. On the other hand, a wrongful death claim is brought by the survivors of the deceased, such as family members, and seeks compensation for the losses they have suffered as a result of the loved one's death, including loss of companionship, support, and future earnings.
In the context of these definitions, if we use this knowledge to interpret the sample texts provided, the idea of attributing natural outcomes to divine intervention (such as surviving or dying in an accident) does not strictly relate to the legal definitions of survival actions or wrongful death claims.
Regarding the manufacturer example given, if a faulty product results in death, the company could face both types of actions: a survival action for the deceased's experiences leading up to the death, and a wrongful death claim brought by the family for their losses.
When looking at famous cases, such as the wrongful death lawsuits against O.J. Simpson, we can see how civil litigation allows for a separate avenue of seeking justice and damages outside the realm of criminal trials where different standards of proof apply.