Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases

The World Health Organization reports, of the 4.4 million injury-related deaths, unintentional injuries take the lives of 3.16 million. More than 33,000 deaths result from motor vehicle accidents, and over 52,000 happen due to poisoning. 

It can be devastating when you lose a loved one due to an accident, especially when it is preventable and caused by the other party. It can prove difficult for a family to deal with unforeseen and sudden death like those resulting from a collision, work-related accident, or other acts of negligence.

Each state has its unique laws that dictate who can recover damages for wrongful death and how long you have to file a claim. That’s why securing the services of an experienced wrongful death attorney can help you start to piece your life back together again. 

If you’re unsure whether you’re allowed to pursue damages on behalf of your deceased loved one, read on for more information or visit theissalawfirm.com to speak with a qualified wrongful death attorney at an initial consultation.

Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims

Deaths by unintentional injury are the fourth leading cause of death in the country. There were more than 200,955 deaths attributed to unintentional injuries in 2018. The most common examples of wrongful death cases include:

Vehicle Collisions

People can sustain devastating injuries when a passenger or commercial vehicle collides. They may also sustain fatal injuries in single-vehicle accidents due to negligence, errors, or mechanical failures. Vehicles can weigh tons and lead to serious and often fatal accidents. 

Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks are much larger than other vehicles; therefore, they are more likely to cause death in the case of an accident. The most common causes of semi-truck accidents are an oversized load, mechanical issues, and driver error such as aggressive driving, losing control of the truck, or driving while fatigued.

Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian and biking accidents that result in deaths are typically caused when a vehicle strikes someone. Many of these types of accidents occur around school zones. These accidents can occur anywhere but are extremely dangerous due to a lack of protection. 

Premise Liabilities

Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of unintended accidents amongst the elderly. Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their properties free of hazards and can be held responsible for your damages if they do not.  

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when patients get harmed due to the negligence of their healthcare providers. Damages have been recuperated in wrongful death cases due to malpractice incidents caused by misdiagnosis, diagnostic errors, surgical errors, equipment malfunctions, and medication errors.

Workplace Accidents

If a fatal injury occurs due to a workplace accident or illness, this may lead to a wrongful death claim. Negligent companies can be held liable if your loved one passes away while fulfilling the duties of their position. Any time a person is killed due to someone’s negligence or error, the family may be entitled to compensation.

Defective Product

When a person dies because of a defective product, the product’s manufacturer can be held liable. Some of the most common examples of product liability wrongful death include defective pharmaceutical products, toxic foods, unsafe products designed for children, and defective automobiles.

Numerous factors and situations can cause wrongful deaths. That’s why it may behoove you to work with a personal injury attorney if someone you love died due to someone else’s negligence.