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Common Causes of Wrongful Death

June 29, 2022

The untimely death of a loved one can be emotionally and mentally devastating. The experience can even be more traumatizing for the bereaved if their loved one's death was due to someone's negligence. In such a case, the death may qualify as wrongful death.

A wrongful death is a death caused by the carelessness, negligence, or wrongful acts of another party. Depending on the circumstance, the at-fault party could be a driver, government agency, medical provider, product manufacturer, or criminal offender. If you're immediate family of the deceased, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

A wrongful death ensures the liable party is held accountable for their actions. Also, you can get compensation for the lost financial support, suffering, funeral expenses, and other monetary and non-monetary damages. However, wrongful death can be emotionally draining, legally complex, and involves huge compensation. Work with an experienced wrongful death attorney for a smooth and successful lawsuit.

Unintentional deaths can result from a variety of different situations. This guide explores the common causes of wrongful deaths.

Car Accidents

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 42,915 people perished in vehicle accidents in the US in 2021. While not all these fatalities qualify as wrongful deaths, auto accidents are the most common causes of wrongful deaths. An auto accident fatality could qualify as a wrongful death if the crash resulted from reckless or negligent acts of another driver. Some instances of auto accident negligence may include:

Distracted driving (texting while driving)
Driving while intoxicated (alcohol or drugs)
Reckless driving (racing or speeding)
Driver fatigue
Car manufacturing defects
Road defects

If another party was responsible for the auto crash that claimed the life of your loved one, you might have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit could be against a driver who acted negligently and caused the accident, or a government agency responsible for road defects. Also, if the malfunction of a defective car part such as brakes, tires, or seats led to the accident, you could sue the vehicle manufacturer.

Work with a reputable wrongful death attorney who will listen to your case and advise on the right legal action.

Medical Malpractice

Your loved one's death may have resulted from professional negligence or a failure to offer the accepted standard of care on the part of a nurse, doctor, or healthcare facility. In that case, you could seek a legal remedy. Medical malpractice can result in wrongful death in some of the following scenarios:

Birth injuries
Defective medical devices
Harmful medications
Emergency room errors
Misdiagnosis
Surgical injuries
Prescription errors

Losing a loved one due to a medical error of the same professional entitled to improve their health can be traumatic. If your loved one died due to a physician's carelessness, work with a wrongful death attorney who will help you build a strong case and get you a favorable legal outcome.

Product Liability

Product manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers can be liable for the sale of a product that results in the death of a consumer. Some basis for a wrongful death lawsuit from product liability could be defective designs, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn consumers of potential injuries or death. Product liability could involve any consumer product, including food, medications, toys, machinery, or even automobiles.

If you're unsure whether the death of your loved one was due to a defective product, contact a local wrongful death attorney for a consultation. An experienced attorney will evaluate your case and give guidelines about who can file the suit and date limitations depending on your state's wrongful death laws.

If you feel your loved one's death resulted from negligent actions of another party, consult a local wrongful death lawyer. The attorney will review your case and help you to explore the available legal remedies. If you're looking for a wrongful death attorney in Northern California, contact legal experts at Frank Penney Injury Lawyers.

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