5 Most Common Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits
A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit that is brought against the company or individual that is believed to be responsible for someone’s death as a result of negligent or intentionally careless act. Family members and loved ones are entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses and lost wages of the deceased. Wrongful death lawsuits are unfortunate and more common than you might think.
Car accidents are the most common cause for wrongful death lawsuits. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every year more than 30,000 people in the U.S. die in motor vehicle crashes and more than 2 million are injured. Speeding, reckless or distracted driving, drunk driving, road defects and construction are some of the dangerous circumstances that can cause a deadly crash. Losing a loved one in a car accident is detrimental to the family of the victim both emotionally and financially, and the party at fault should be held responsible.
Truck accidents are different from car accidents because the large size of semi trucks increases the severity level of the crash. Length, massive weight, and decreased mobility makes trucks more dangerous when they collide with smaller trucks and cars. Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to follow federal laws and company standards for safe driving, cargo regulation, and vehicle maintenance. Failure to do so can leave them responsible for damages resulting from a fatal crash.
Medical malpractice leads to wrongful death when doctors and nurses fail to follow proper procedures during the medical treatment of a patient. Birth injuries that lead to death of the infant are a common cause for a wrongful death lawsuit, as well as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and defective medical devises. Hospitals and medical staff should be held responsible for deadly errors that can occur.
Defective products that cause consumer death are another common type of wrongful death lawsuit. Most companies work hard to make sure that the products they produce are safe. But when a product defect results in death, the manufacturer should be held responsible. Dangerous toys and childcare items, pharmaceuticals, and automobile defects are all defective products that can cause wrongful death.
OSHA enforces rules that force companies to maintain environments to keep their employees safe. When companies do not follow these rules, deadly workplace accidents can occur. The employer that failed to protect the employee should be held responsible. Workers compensation benefits often assist families when the loss of a loved one occurs, but many families are entitled to bring their own case against their loved one’s employer. Manufacturing accidents, toxic chemical exposure, and failure to follow proper safety protocol all result in wrongful death workplace accidents.
Wrongful death lawsuits are important because they send a message to the guilty party that they need to change their ways. Hopefully they will avoid repeating the same mistake in the future and other innocent lives will be saved. If someone’s careless or malicious behavior caused the death of your family member or loved one, they need to be held responsible. Urban & Taylor, S.C., Milwaukee, WI wrongful death lawyer is dedicated to helping surviving victims get the financial compensation they deserve. Contact our experienced legal team today for more information and a free, zero-obligation consultation of your case.
