The concept of a death resulting from a force majeure event, frequently termed an “act of God,” refers to fatalities directly caused by natural disasters or unforeseen circumstances beyond human control. Examples include deaths due to earthquakes, floods, lightning strikes, or other catastrophic events where human intervention could not have reasonably prevented the outcome.
Understanding the classification of such a death is crucial for legal and insurance purposes. It can impact the validity of insurance claims, inheritance procedures, and liability assessments. Historically, this categorization served to absolve individuals or entities from responsibility in situations where the cause of death was deemed an unavoidable consequence of natural forces.