Wrongful death is one of the most heartbreaking and difficult topics any family can face. It occurs when a person loses their life because of someone else’s negligent or deliberate acts. In these tragic situations, the law recognizes that the family left behind suffers both emotional and financial harm.
Surviving relatives may have the right to pursue a legal claim against the responsible party to seek justice and recover compensation for the losses caused by their loved one’s death. Understanding the circumstances that often lead to wrongful death claims can help families recognize when they may have a case. Common causes include:
Car Accidents
Car crashes are one of the leading causes of wrongful death claims. Many fatal accidents result from another driver’s negligent behaviors, like speeding, distracted driving, running red lights, intoxication, or simply failing to pay attention.
Survivors may have the right to sue not just the other driver, but sometimes also the manufacturer of the car, a government agency responsible for dangerous roads, or even an employer if a commercial vehicle is involved.
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Truck Accidents
Collisions involving tractor-trailers and large commercial trucks are uniquely dangerous because of their size and weight. Wrongful deaths often occur when loading companies, truck drivers, or trucking firms ignore safety regulations – whether through driver fatigue, poor maintenance, overloaded cargo, or substance use. The aftermath is complex, as multiple parties could be legally responsible for the fatal outcome.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders on motorcycles are extremely vulnerable to fatal injury because they have so little physical protection. Negligence by car or truck drivers, like failing to see a motorcycle while turning or merging lanes, often leads to motorcycle crashes that would not have been serious for someone in a larger vehicle but can be deadly for someone on a motorcycle.
Medical Malpractice
When a doctor, nurse, or healthcare facility fails to meet their duty of care and a patient dies as a result, this is called medical malpractice. The death might be caused by surgical errors, missed or incorrect diagnoses, medication mistakes, or unsanitary conditions in a hospital.
Workplace Accidents
Construction sites, factories, warehouses, and other high-risk workplaces are settings where negligence can lead to fatal consequences. Wrongful death claims can arise from unsafe working conditions, lack of training, equipment failure, or failure to follow government safety rules. Sometimes, both employers and equipment manufacturers may share responsibility.
Defective Products
If a vehicle, tool, appliance, or medication has a design or manufacturing flaw and causes someone’s death, a wrongful death claim can be brought against the manufacturer or seller. Common examples include faulty brakes, dangerous drugs, or equipment missing safety guards. These tragedies often happen because of poor quality control, lack of proper instructions, or skipped safety testing.
Slip and Fall or Premises Liability
Businesses and property owners must keep their premises safe for visitors. If spilled liquids, loose railings, broken stairs, or unaddressed ice lead to a fatal fall, the property owner can potentially be held accountable.
Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Seniors and ill patients depend on caretakers for basic needs. Wrongful death due to neglect or abuse can happen if staff withhold medication, ignore serious wounds, fail to turn immobile patients, or use excessive restraints. If proper care isn’t given and a wrongful death results, the facility, staff, and sometimes administrators may be sued.
Criminal Acts or Violence
Wrongful death claims can arise from intentional acts like assault, robbery, or other violent crimes. In these cases, the responsible individual may face not only criminal prosecution, but can be pursued civilly by surviving family members. Even if the person isn’t convicted in a criminal trial, the family may still win a financial recovery through the civil process, which has a lower requirement for proving responsibility.
If you believe your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, contact us today to discuss your options and learn how we can help you seek answers and justice.
