3 Examples of Wrongful Death Cases

It can be extremely painful to lose a loved one—especially when it happens unexpectedly. It can be even more devastating when the cause of death is the wrongdoing of someone else. While that person may not have intentionally caused your family member to die, you may still want to hold that person accountable for his or her actions.

A wrongful death lawsuit may be able to help. This type of civil lawsuit won’t bring your loved one back, but it can help you obtain compensation for damages that you are now suffering, such as lost wages, medical bills, and funeral expenses. Many wrongful death cases have gone to trial or settled for millions of dollars.

Elements of Wrongful Death

A wrongful death encompasses four elements:

1. A person’s death
2. Negligent or intentional behavior
3. Family members who have suffered financial damages from their loved one’s death
4. Someone appointed to the deceased person’s estate

All four elements must be in place before you can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Types of Wrongful Death

A wrongful death can occur in various ways. Any activity that leads to a person’s untimely death can be classified as a wrongful death. Some of the most common types of wrongful death include the following:

• Motor vehicle accidents: These types of accidents are very frequent, occurring on a daily basis. While most result in injury, some serious accidents result in death. Someone’s negligence is usually the cause. Distracted driving, failure to follow traffic laws, fatigue and drunk driving are some common reasons for crashes. Motor vehicle accidents may involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and pedestrians.
• Medical malpractice: An estimated 250,000 Americans die every year from medical errors, making them the third leading cause of death. Medical errors can include surgical errors, errors during labor and delivery, incorrect medications, wrong diagnosis, negligent care, and infections. Fatigue, understaffing, overcrowding and poor training are some of the most common causes of medical malpractice.
• Construction accidents: Construction is one of the deadliest occupations. It involves a combination of tools, heavy equipment, heights, and electricity. Any one or more of these factors can cause a serious accident. Many workers suffer serious injuries and death due to negligence on behalf of their employers. Falls, poor training, lack of safety precautions and improper use of equipment cause many accidents. Unfortunately, many contractors overlook training in order to save time and money, but this often ends up being a deadly mistake.

Contact a Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer

If your loved one was killed by someone else’s negligence, it’s important to take prompt legal action. And if you are the executor of your loved one’s estate, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim and recover compensation. This can help a grieving family find closure after such an unexpected death.

You need the right lawyer to help you prove liability. Steve Roberts is an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to helping victims and their families obtain fair settlements for their damages. Contact our office at (720) 515-7058 to schedule a free initial consultation.