What are examples of wrongful death?
Wrongful death cases can arise from a wide range of circumstances in which an individual’s death is caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another party. Here are some examples of wrongful death scenarios, as explained by Woron and Dhillon, LLC, in Columbia, SC:
- Car Accidents: One of the most common causes of wrongful death is car accidents. When a driver’s negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or drunk driving, leads to a fatal collision, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
- Medical Malpractice: Wrongful death can result from medical errors or malpractice. This includes misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors, or failure to provide adequate medical care, which leads to a patient’s death.
- Workplace Accidents: Fatal workplace accidents can occur in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation. When employers or third parties fail to maintain safe working conditions, and these conditions lead to a worker’s death, a wrongful death claim may be pursued.
- Defective Products: If a defective or dangerous product causes a person’s death, such as a malfunctioning vehicle component or a hazardous consumer product, the manufacturer or distributor may be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Premises Liability: Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises. If a person dies due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, like a slip and fall accident or inadequate security leading to criminal activity, a wrongful death claim may be filed against the property owner or manager.
- Criminal Acts: When a person is killed as a result of a criminal act, such as assault, battery, or homicide, the perpetrator can face both criminal charges and a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the surviving family.
- Nursing Home Abuse: Negligence or abuse in nursing homes and long-term care facilities can lead to the wrongful death of residents. This can include neglect, physical abuse, or medical negligence.
- Recreational Accidents: Fatal accidents during recreational activities, such as boating, amusement park rides, or sports events, may result from negligence or equipment failure, leading to wrongful death claims.
- Airplane and Train Accidents: Catastrophic accidents involving airplanes or trains can result in multiple fatalities. Families of victims may file wrongful death claims against airlines, train operators, or other responsible parties.
- Criminal Negligence: Deaths resulting from criminal negligence, such as reckless driving or reckless handling of firearms, can lead to wrongful death claims.
In each of these scenarios, it’s essential to establish that the death was the result of another party’s wrongful actions or negligence. Surviving family members may be eligible to seek compensation for various damages, including funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and emotional suffering.
If you believe you have a wrongful death claim in Columbia, SC, Woron and Dhillon, LLC, has the experience and expertise to help you navigate the legal process and seek justice for your loved one’s untimely death.