Wrongful Death
When a loved one dies due to someone else’s careless or negligent actions, you may not know where to turn. You may feel cheated and angry, as well as overwhelmed by funeral and final medical expenses. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit may help you gain financial compensation; however, before you move forward, you may want to understand the meaning of wrongful death and what type of common circumstances cause these lawsuits.
1. Workplace Accidents
Some occupations are more dangerous than others, but no matter the setting, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure the safety of his or her employees. Wrongful death cases often arise from workplace accidents, such as if another employee was careless with a tool and caused a fatal wound or a faulty ladder caused a fall resulting in a deadly brain injury. Your attorney can help you decide whether you can file a lawsuit for a fatal workplace accident that took the life of your spouse, adult child, or other loved one.
2. Car Accidents
Not all car accidents are avoidable, but those caused by gross negligence may allow you to file a wrongful death lawsuit. For example, if a drunk driver kills your aging parent as he or she travels along a crosswalk and knowingly got behind the wheel while intoxicated, you can likely sue for punitive damages along with your other claims. The judge who presides over your case will decide whether the defendant’s actions were especially careless.
3. Defective Products
Companies sometimes release products before they are properly tested and all the possible dangers are addressed. This can lead to the death of a loved one in a variety of ways, such as crushing deaths, electrocutions, and choking. A child, for instance, may choke on a toy that lacked proper warnings for them to use. Your choking lawyer can help you decide whether a death could have been prevented and if the product was indeed responsible.
4. Medical Injuries
If your loved one died as a result of an alleged medical error, speaking to an attorney about your options for filing a wrongful death lawsuit may be helpful. Most hospitals place responsibility on physicians for individual errors, as most are not employed directly by the medical facilities where they practice medicine.
Losing a loved one to negligence can change your world forever, but there is help available. Contact Davis & Brusca, LLC, for help with your case.