A wrongful death case can emerge out of any situation where someone dies at the hands of another’s negligence. This can be accidental, like a car accident, or intentional, like murder. However, there are many other causes in between these two extremes that you might not know about. Understanding former wrongful death cases may help you determine if you have a claim on your hands. Here’s the top causes of wrongful deaths in the United States.
Car Accidents
Fatal car accidents happen across the country every day. Oftentimes, these accidents are the result of one driver’s negligence (though, depending on the state you live in, negligence can be blamed on more than one of the drivers). Negligence is defined as an act of recklessness or carelessness that disregards the safety of others on the road. Examples include failing to pay attention, driving intoxicated or speeding.
Work Accidents and Illnesses
Accidents happen at work. When they do, employees can usually get injuries covered under workers compensation benefits. Unfortunately, if that person dies from their injuries, the only way forward for survivors may be through a wrongful death lawsuit. Careers with far higher risk rates, like construction, may result in death, but if you can prove that safety measures were disregarded by the company, you can make a claim. Unsafe exposure to asbestos can also fall into this category if a person dies from mesothelioma, as that can be linked to the exposure.
Manufacturer Defects
Sometimes accidents happen because a manufacturer released a faulty product. In heavy equipment and machinery, this can lead to fatal outcomes. If your loved one died because of this, you can bring the lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Medical Malpractice
Malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to follow proper safety procedures or makes a mistake that costs a patient their life. Misdiagnosis that leads to death counts as medical malpractice, as does failing to diagnose the patient at all.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are at a greater risk of death during an accident because they are completely exposed. The most common form of a pedestrian accident is when a driver strikes them. The driver is usually responsible, but a construction company or the city can also be held liable for failing to implement proper visible features in a crosswalk.
If any of these cases sound familiar, talk to a wrongful death lawyer, to see about filing a lawsuit. You have already suffered enough from the loss of a loved one. You should not have to suffer from medical costs, funeral expenses and other debts that are left behind.
