Wrongful death occurs when the reckless, careless or negligent actions of someone cause the death of another person. While most wrongful death cases revolve around car accidents, fatalities also occur because of prescription medication errors and defective automobile parts.
Front view of a speeding ambulance - emergency vehicle Many circumstances can result in the wrongful death of loved ones. If you are mourning the death of a person close to you because of someone else’s irresponsible behavior, call Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC today at 212.227.2780. An award-winning personal-injury attorney in New York can help you file a lawsuit for compensation. In the meantime, read on for the six most common causes of wrongful death:
- Car Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 40,000 people die from car accidents in the United States every year, and many of them result in lawsuits against the responsible parties. Surviving family members are eligible for compensation from any motorists, automobile manufacturers, commercial truck drivers or roadway government agencies liable for the accident.
- Medical Malpractice
Doctors, medical staff and medical facilities have an obligation to provide quality care to every patient. Unfortunately, medical malpractice causes an alarming number of deaths every year. When doctors, nurses and other medical personnel neglect their duties and provide substandard care to their patients, it may result in death or injury. Examples of medical malpractice include: - Surgical mistakes - Birth injuries - Prescribing incorrect medication - Delayed diagnosis - Misdiagnosis - Nursing home abuse or neglect - Anesthesia errors.
- Workplace Accidents
Job-related accidents result in many wrongful death cases. Employees who work in dangerous conditions usually suffer exposure to heavy machinery and toxic chemicals. Workplace accidents can include burns, falls, explosions and long-term exposure to deadly chemicals, such as asbestos. Manufacturing plants, mining operations and construction sites have the highest fatality rates.
- Product Liability
Product liability laws exist to hold distributors, manufacturers, product designers and retailers accountable for producing and selling harmful products. The public is entitled to safe products, and any defect in the development, manufacture or design can cause wrongful death. If someone dies because of a problem with a product, responsible parties are liable to compensate the family members.
- Commercial Truck Accidents
A commercial truck can easily kill someone because of its sheer weight and size. If one of these vehicles is involved in an accident, death frequently occurs. In many cases, trucking companies and truckers are responsible for causing the accident, and you can sue them for not following crucial regulations, including improper truck loading, driving outside of weight limits and ignoring driving hours.
- Criminal Conduct
Criminals often cause wrongful death during the course of their illegal activities, and you can hold them accountable in criminal and civil court. In fact, the criminal does not need a conviction for you to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. This is because loved ones file civil lawsuits while district attorneys deal with criminal cases. If you have lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for any past or ongoing financial and medical expenses, loss of companionship, lost wages, loss of inheritance, damage to property or emotional distress. To speak to an experienced personal-injury lawyer and assess your case in detail, call Jaroslawicz & Jaros, LLP today at 212.227.2780.
