The unexpected, untimely death of a loved one can bring tremendous grief. Not only do you mourn the loss of this person, but you may be left with financial stress and the loss of companionship. Some deaths may be unavoidable accidents where no one or nothing is to blame. However, if you believe another party is responsible for the person’s passing, you could be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. There are many ways in which death could occur.
Car Accident
Anyone who drives should understand the important responsibility of being safe behind the wheel. Unfortunately, collisions are not uncommon. Some vehicle incidents only cause minor injuries, but others can be fatal. When another driver’s negligence or willful disregard caused the wreck that killed your loved one, you should speak with a lawyer about filing a lawsuit. Your attorney will carefully review the circumstances of the accident to determine whether the other person acted negligently. If the other driver was under the influence, driving recklessly, or trying to injure your family member, your case could have merit.
Workplace Accidents
While on the job, an employee should have all the appropriate tools and equipment to stay safe. Of course, some professions put a person more at risk than others. Jobs that put a person in contact with hazardous chemicals or with heavy machinery may be more prone to suffering injuries. If your family member died while performing his or her duties, you may be able to prove that the employer was at fault. Perhaps the employer didn’t sufficiently train your loved one, or maybe the employer didn’t inform your family member about the potential risks of the job.
Medical Malpractice
When a person seeks medical care, he or she expects to overcome a troubling condition and get well. As a family member, you certainly don’t anticipate anything going wrong and your loved one dying during treatment. If this happens due to a doctor’s mistake, a wrongful death lawsuit may be appropriate. Medical malpractice cases are common in wrongful death situations. In some cases, the doctor may have failed to explain the side effects or risks of surgery. There may also have been faulty medical equipment or tainted medication. Your attorney will explore the causes of your family member’s death, whether it could have been avoided, and who is to blame.
To hold the offending party accountable and to get peace of mind, you should consider a wrongful death lawsuit. If any of these scenarios caused your loved one’s death, speak to a lawyer wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.