Wrongful Death Causes

Wrongful death cases offer some compensation to the family when a person is killed by negligent or reckless acts. State law determines who can bring a wrongful death claim, but generally, it is the surviving spouse, children or parents of the deceased. Here are six common causes of wrongful deaths.

Vehicle Accidents

One of the leading causes of death in the United States is automobile accidents, including commercial vehicles, such as semis and large trucks. Even if a drunk driver is criminally charged, you can still file civil charges to receive monetary compensation.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals who fail to care for patients and cause their death are held responsible through wrongful death claims. Malpractice lawsuits can be very complex, so it’s important to have a lawyer who understands the laws in your state to help you through the process. Medical malpractice includes pharmaceutical errors, misdiagnoses and surgical errors.

Products Liability

When a person dies as a result of a faulty design or defective product, it could be the basis for a wrongful death claim. You could bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer, the distributor, the designer or even the seller of products that cause harm. Your lawyer can help sort out the details of who is responsible for the death.

Work-Related Accidents

Deaths that occur in the workplace can be complicated. If negligence was an issue, the survivors may have a wrongful death claim, but there are a lot of variables involved. Workplace deaths include unsafe environments or an illness that is due to a bad environment, such as asbestos.

Criminal Acts

When a person commits a crime that results in someone else’s death, you may have a wrongful death claim. You do have to take into account whether there are any resources to receive compensation, but a lawyer can help you find assets of the person who killed your loved one.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

When an individual is in an accident as a cyclist or pedestrian, the results can be tragic. Cyclists and pedestrians have little protection against a car or larger vehicle. When death occurs, you may want to consider a wrongful death lawsuit to receive compensation for any bills and the loss of life.

Talk to an Attorney About Your Case 

No amount of money can ever compensate for losing your loved one, but you can get a sense of closure through a wrongful death claim that holds the liable party responsible. You should contact a wrongful death lawyer in Trenton, NJ who can help you through the process.

Thanks to Davis & Brusca for their insight into personal injury claims and common wrongful death cases.