Most Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases
22March2018
Wrongful death is when a human dies as a result of the wrongful or negligent act(s) of another person(s) or organization. A wrongful death lawsuit attempts to hold accountable the individual, group or organization that committed the wrongful or negligent act(s) and provide financial compensation to family members.
If you believe that your loved one died as a result of the negligence of another, seek the guidance of an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. There is a statute of limitations – limited time frame – on all personal injury claims. In most cases injury/wrongful death cases are taken on a contingency fee basis which means clients pay only a percentage of the settlement.
Common types of accidents that lead to wrongful death cases
Wrongful death is different from murder or manslaughter cases and personal injury cases with non-life threatening injuries. The following examples are the most common types of accidents that lead to wrongful death cases:
- Car accidents
Car accidents kill 300,000 people in the United States every year. When a person dies unexpectedly like they do in a car accident, it often spells disaster for the family members left behind. Families face unexpected costs such as medical bills and funeral expenses, lost household income, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. There is particular likelihood of serious injury or death when a larger vehicle hits a smaller vehicle such as a semi-truck hitting a mid-sized sedan or an SUV hitting a bicycle. When a deadly accident happens as a result of driver negligence such as falling asleep at the wheel, aggressive driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or because of mechanical defects in the vehicle; a wrongful death lawsuit may be an option to recover damages for the victim’s immediate family.
- Medical malpractice
Common types of medical malpractice that lead to wrongful death include birth injury, failure to receive informed consent, delayed diagnosis/treatment, surgical error and prescription drug errors. When a healthcare provider breaches their duty of care through a negligent act, error or omission and it causes the death of a patient there may be a wrongful death case.
- Defective products
Sometimes manufacturers create products that harm end users and even cause death. For example, when a car is built with a defective airbag that shoots metal shards upon deployment and a person is killed as a result, it might be wrongful death if the manufacturer knowingly failed to follow safety standards in their production. Other examples include mislabeling dosage on pharmaceuticals, toxic products and dangerous toys. A wrongful death lawsuit for a defective product is aimed at holding manufacturers responsible for negligent manufacturing and providing compensation to family members.
- Workplace accidents
Employers have a duty to provide appropriate safety gear and a safe work environment to keep their employees safe while they work. When this duty is breached and an employee dies as a result, it might be wrongful death. Common examples include marine accidents, manufacturing accidents, exposure to asbestos, and railroad worker injuries.
The Seattle personal injury attorneys at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC have years of experience representing families harmed by medical malpractice and other types of negligence. We seek justice for patients who have been harmed by preventable medical errors including birth injuries, hospital-acquired infections and wrongful death in Seattle and across Washington State. There are no fees or expenses to file a personal injury case as we only receive payment if we recover damages on your behalf. Do not delay; personal injury claims come with a Statute of Limitations, which means they must be filed within a certain time frame of the injury.
Call us now at (206) 752-4366 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our compassionate, experienced attorneys.