Final answer:
A 'wrongful death lawsuit' is brought on behalf of a decedent's estate for injuries or damages they suffered immediately before dying, seeking compensation for both the decedent's suffering and the family's losses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase needed to fill in the blank is a "wrongful death lawsuit." This type of legal action is initiated to seek compensation for the beneficiaries of a person who died due to the negligence or misconduct of another party. These lawsuits aim to address the pain and suffering of the decedent prior to their death, as well as the financial and emotional losses incurred by the surviving family members. Usually, the damages in a wrongful death claim might include medical costs prior to death, funeral expenses, loss of expected earnings, loss of benefits such as pension, and loss of inheritance.