Wrongful death lawsuits are essential for grieving families whose loved ones have passed on due to circumstances outside of their control. Negligent behavior, poor craftsmanship, and a lack of property maintenance are common factors in most wrongful death lawsuits in the United States. However, when it comes to the specific types and causes of wrongful death lawsuits, many people are in the dark. To help enlighten you, here are nine common causes of wrongful death lawsuits:
1. Car Accidents
Severe and hectic car accidents can lead to a wide range of devastating, life-changing, and sometimes deadly consequences. Most of the time, one driver or the other is responsible for this damage, and in the case of a death, they may be lawfully punished through prison time, and/or a wrongful death lawsuit. Due to the sheer amount of car crashes every year in the United States, this is one of the most common accident types that end up leading to a wrongful death lawsuit.
2. Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycling is a thrilling but dangerous hobby (and simply a more dangerous mode of transportation. However, other larger vehicles are often the most dangerous thing motorcycles encounter on the open road, due to other drivers’ lack of attention and due diligence. When someone finds a driver has struck them, or that a poorly maintained road leads to an accident, a wrongful death lawsuit is not unlikely to follow.
3. Defective Product Accidents
While manufacturers try their best to keep products safe, some products cause deadly accidents every year. Especially when it comes to more volatile products, such as propane and firearms, a defective product can result in a sudden, unforeseen death that was completely unpreventable on the consumer’s part. When this happens, it can lead to a massive wrongful death lawsuit, and if the product commonly causes death, a class action lawsuit may be necessary as well.
4. Workplace Accidents
There are many dangerous workplaces out there. Especially if you work in a manufacturing or construction job, your chances of experiencing a workplace accident are significantly increased. The sad fact is, however, that even seemingly safe spaces – such as offices – can be involved in workplace accidents. If you’re injured in your workplace due to circumstances beyond your control, you may have a legal case against the building or company owner.
5. Medical Malpractice
Doctors, healthcare workers, and nurses are all given our full trust when we allow them to give us the medical care we need. In some cases, however, medical professionals can make devastating and even deadly mistakes that are easily avoidable. With new technologies and medical discoveries happening every day, sometimes the practice of medicine can become difficult, or even dangerous. Especially if they are being negligent in their administration of a loved one’s healthcare, the situation could lead to a wrongful death lawsuit.
6. Aviation Accidents
Despite the common fear people have of flying, aviation is one of the safest ways to travel. Even so, a plane crash is often a highly deadly affair, and many aviation accidents are caused by negligence. Due to this, plane crashes are one of the most common transportation-related accidents that will lead to a wrongful death lawsuit, especially if a major airline is involved.
7. Premises Liability Issues
Both commercial and residential property owners are legally liable for accidents on their property if they fail to make that environment safe. Accidents that frequently occur on-premises tended to involve swimming pools, animal attacks, unsecured construction sites, and other haphazard areas on the property. These are some of the most tragic types of wrongful death lawsuits that occur.
8. Dangerous Drug Side Effects
Whether a medication has been recalled after a death, or negative side effects from the medication caused a death, a wrongful death lawsuit may be in order. Fatal health complications from medicine are often considered wrongful deaths, so be sure to contact a lawyer if you find a loved one affected by this devastating issue.
9. Boating Accidents
Whether you’re in a privately owned body of water, or a publically owned one, someone can be liable if you’re in a boating accident that is completely out of your control. Especially if some type of construction in the area, or some other uncorrected obstruction within the body of water, is to blame, a wrongful death lawsuit could be justified.
You Deserve Restitution
If your loved one has passed away due to the negligence of others, you deserve to secure legal help and get the restitution you deserve. Wrongful death lawsuits are packed with precedents and can help keep you financially stable after a loved one’s sudden death, so never hesitate to start these important procedures.
