Wrongful Death Lawyer
As the surviving family member of someone who died due to the negligence of another person, you may find yourself fighting a wrongful death case. Whether you’re a parent, spouse or child, you deserve the compensation for burial and medical expenses you shouldn’t have had to face. Wrongful death cases vary from the craziest situations to very typical situations, but there are some that are more common than others.
Auto Accidents
There are a lot of different types of auto accidents that are tried for wrongful death. This includes drunk driving, impaired driving, distracted driving, and aggressive driving. Death in a construction zone is also included, as are pedestrian fatalities. Truck accidents could also be included, being one of the leading causes of wrongful death suits.
Medical Malpractice
You count on medical professionals to care for your loved ones, not cause their deaths. When a medical professional acts in such a way that the required care is not given and the patient dies, it’s a case of wrongful death. As one of the leading causes of wrongful death suits, lawyers often argue against emergency room errors, delayed diagnosis, prescription errors, equipment malfunctions and surgical injuries.
Workplace Injuries
Not every workplace injury ends on a positive note. When the employee passes away due to injuries acquired at work, it turns from a workers’ compensation case to a wrongful death case. This might include a situation in which there was a fire at work, not enough training for employees, an unsafe environment or unsafe equipment.
Criminal Acts
Some family members are able to collect compensation on behalf of their deceased loved one who died at the hands of a criminal. Even if the criminal did not commit the murder him- or herself, but the crime led to the death, he or she may still be successfully sued. For example, someone who humiliates another person to the point of suicide could be ordered to pay a wrongful death settlement to the family of the deceased. Obviously, other criminal acts, such as murder itself, could be cases for wrongful death as well.
Contacting a Lawyer
While these are some of the most common cases tried for wrongful death, they are not the only cases. If your loved one died at the hands of another person, or due to the negligent actions of another person, you may be owed a settlement. Contact a wrongful death lawyer in Des Moines, IA today to find out what you need to do to move forward with your case.
Thanks to Johnston | Martineau, LLP for their insight into personal injury claims and common wrongful death cases.