We know that acts of negligence can cause some of the most severe injuries. However, far too often, they can also result in fatal harm. When someone passes away because of injuries they sustain in a negligence-related incident, the legal world refers to it as wrongful death, and it’s vital to know what this means.
After a wrongful death, specific individuals have the legal right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to pursue compensation for the impact that comes with losing a loved one. Below, we will help you learn more about wrongful death, including the events that can lead up to it and your rights to pursue compensation.
Some of the events that can cause wrongful death include:
- Acts of violence
- Auto accidents
- Premises liability
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
If negligence results in death, it’s vital to work with an attorney and safeguard your rights moving forward. Our team at Lowe Law Group is here to help you understand your options moving forward.
Call us today at (801) 900-4681 to speak with a dedicated lawyer.
Acts of Violence
Far too often, acts of violence result in some of the most severe injuries. In many events, it can lead to wrongful death. Along with the criminal cases that arise from a violent act, specific parties may file a civil lawsuit to pursue compensation. Damages from violent actions can include gunshot wounds, knife wounds, external force damage, and more.
In 2019, murders took the lives of over 16,000 people in the United States. It’s a senseless act, but it allows loves ones to take legal action to hold the wrongdoer accountable. States vary, though, and it’s critical to speak with a lawyer to understand your rights.
Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are broad and encompass numerous collisions, but they encompass several negligent acts that can cause the most severe harm. Unfortunately, head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, and rollover accidents can result in fatal injuries. Here are the different types of auto accidents that can cause wrongful death:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Unfortunately, all of the above accidents are preventable. However, it’s often the driver’s decisions that cause them to crash into your loved one. For instance, an intoxicated driver may swerve into oncoming traffic, crashing into your loved one and causing fatal injuries. Other negligent actions that can result in crashes include distracted driving, speeding, ignoring red lights, and lack of maintenance.
Premises Liability
Fatal injuries can arise on someone else’s property when the property owner does nothing to prevent harm. One of the most common types of premises liability claims is a slip and fall accident. In these situations, someone can slip on ice, a slippery substance, cracked floorboards, or lifted carpet. As a result, someone can fall and suffer traumatic brain injuries.
The more severe a traumatic brain injury is, the more damages that a person can sustain. The most severe TBIs can result in a coma or ongoing seizures. With enough damage, it can be fatal, leading to a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the negligent property owner accountable.
Medical Malpractice
Medical negligence is a big problem in the United States. It causes 250,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. It’s never easy to suffer an injury because of an error caused by someone you are supposed to trust. It’s even more challenging to lose someone you love to medical negligence.
Some of the medical malpractice acts that can lead to wrongful death include:
- Surgical errors
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Prescription errors
- Anesthesia errors
Medical malpractice is preventable. Doctors and medical professionals must take all necessary steps to get it right regarding diagnosis and treatment. Any procedure or error that causes harm makes medical professionals liable for the damages that arise. If they result in fatal injuries, doctors are subject to wrongful death lawsuits by eligible parties.
Nursing Home Abuse
We know that financial and emotional abuse are two prominent aspects of nursing homes. Unfortunately, people take advantage of the vulnerable. However, it’s the physical abuse that often results in the most severe harm — and sometimes causes fatal injuries.
Wrongful death can also occur because of oversight in a nursing home due to lack of communication, understaffing, and other problems. For instance, giving a resident the wrong or too much medication can also lead to wrongful death — and the same result can occur because of malnourishment.
People trust nursing homes to care for their elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, several facilities don’t have enough staff. They may also have inexperienced staff members who don’t show the care that the residents deserve. In these cases, you may be able to hold the nursing home accountable for wrongful death should it occur.
At Lowe Law Group, we know how challenging it is for families to endure losing someone they love. We care about families and their rights should someone else’s negligent actions cause the most severe harm. It’s our goal to provide caring and personalized representation to pursue maximum compensation for those eligible to file wrongful death lawsuits.
You can count on our wrongful death lawyers to be in your corner when you need it most. We work on handling all of the legal matters following a wrongful death so that you may focus on grieving when you need it most. We will explain your state’s laws to you and help you understand what options you have to hold negligence accountable.
