When is a death a wrongful death?

When someone is injured by another party, the victim may be able to file a personal injury claim against that party. If the victim dies from their injury, one of their surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. A successful lawsuit may result in substantial compensation that can cover the costs associated with the passing of their loved one, such as medical bills and funeral costs. In addition, they may receive compensation for the pain and suffering that the victim experienced because of their fatal injury. To learn if you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, contact a skilled wrongful death lawyer and request a free consultation.

There are several common types of wrongful death lawsuits and they include:

Medical Malpractice

When someone seeks treatment for an ailment or a condition from a medical professional, they do not expect their health to worsen as a result. When the medical professional makes a particularly egregious mistake that results in death to the patient, it is usually considered a wrongful death. Fatal medical malpractice mistakes is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Workplace Accidents

Some industries are more dangerous to work in than others, such as construction, but a fatal workplace injury can happen almost anywhere and at any time. For example, while riding the elevator in one’s office building, it could catastrophically fail in one of several ways. It’s important to contact a wrongful death lawyer immediately if your loved one died in a workplace accident. Though they may have had workers compensation insurance coverage through their employer, it may be far less than what you deserve to collect for your damages.

Car, Motorcycle, and Truck Accidents

Fatalities as a result of vehicle accidents occur every day all around the country. Because not every victim succumbs to their injuries immediately, as their medical team tries to save their life, massive debt can quickly grow due to exorbitant treatment costs. If the accident was not your family member’s fault, their death may be considered a wrongful death and the person responsible could be held financially responsible.   

Seeking Justice with a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The person responsible for your loved one’s death does not have to go unpunished. With the help of a skilled legal team, you can seek justice in the name of your family member. If your lawsuit is successful, you stand to win a substantial settlement which can pay for the medical care and other injury costs that your loved one incurred through no fault of their own. Punitive damages against the responsible person may also be a possibility. The first step is to determine if your case meets the legal criteria for a wrongful death lawsuit. Call us today to request a no-cost case review with our wrongful death lawyer.