“Wrongful death” is a legal term for the civil remedy available to surviving family members if a loved one dies due to another party’s negligence. This cause of action may arise in a number of different circumstances.
Ultimately, any incident that leads to a loved one’s premature passing may be grounds for a wrongful death claim. It is important to speak to an attorney promptly to explore your rights if you suspect that the negligence or wrongdoing of another party led to your relative’s death.
The Flood Law Firm has extensive experience with a wide range of claims involving wrongful death. Call (860) 346-2695 today for a FREE consultation with a wrongful death lawyer.
What Are the Most Common Wrongful Death Claims?
Virtually any situation that may give rise to a personal injury may be grounds for a wrongful death claim if the victim is instantly killed or the injuries prove fatal. The principal difference is that, instead of the injured victim pursuing compensation for his or her losses, the deceased victim’s family seeks to recover damages for the loss of their loved one.
Read More: Who Can Recover Damages for Wrongful Death?
Common situations where one or more negligent parties may be held liable for wrongful death include:
Traffic Accidents
According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of death for multiple age groups. Surviving loved ones may pursue compensation for the wrongful death of a family member as a result of the following:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Bus Accidents
Medical Malpractice
Over a period of 8 years, Johns Hopkins Medicine found that more than 250,000 deaths occur each year due to medical errors. This makes medical negligence the third leading cause of death in the United States.
If you believe your loved one died as a result of medical malpractice, it is important to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. Proving that a medical error led to wrongful death is extremely difficult, requiring prompt investigation and compelling evidence.
Workplace Accidents
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded a total of 4,764 fatal workplace injuries in 2020 (the most recent year of data). Road accidents and falls alone made up nearly 40% of job-related fatalities.
Construction accidents carry a high rate of worker fatalities, but construction is not the only industry where employees may be killed in the course of their work. If your loved one died in any type of workplace accident, it is important to explore your legal rights at once.
Families are often limited to receiving workers’ compensation death benefits. However, if the negligence of a third party caused your loved one’s death, you may have additional claims for wrongful death.
Read More: Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
According to the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, between 20% and 25% of deaths in the United States occur in nursing homes. Many of these deaths are attributed to natural causes, disease, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (i.e., a heart attack or stroke). However, families should not overlook the possibility of negligence if an elderly loved one dies unexpectedly in a nursing home.
Nursing home abuse and neglect are often kept hushed up, especially when it involves the death of a resident. A knowledgeable lawyer can investigate to determine if you and your family have grounds for a claim against a caregiver and/or the facility itself.
Dangerous Premises
Safety hazards on a property are an accident waiting to happen. There are a number of circumstances where the negligence of a property owner or occupier could result in the wrongful death of visitors.
You might be able to pursue compensation for wrongful death via a premises liability claim if your loved one died as a result of the following:
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
- Swimming Pool Accidents
- Negligent Security
- Elevator and Escalator Accidents
- Fires
Accidental Drowning
Drowning is a major cause of death among the fatalities attributed broadly by the CDC to “unintentional injuries.” This includes accidents involving watercraft, drownings in swimming pools, and more.
You might have a wrongful death claim if your loved one drowned in a boating accident or as a result of the negligence of a property owner or government agency. An attorney can investigate the accident and identify any and all liable parties.
Defective Products
Manufacturers and other companies can be held liable if a defective product results in wrongful death. Families may be entitled to compensation if a loved one dies after using a defective medication or other product.
Do You Suspect Wrongful Death?
Families are often left stunned by the death of a loved one. It is difficult to think about taking legal action when you are dealing with the immense grief and sudden challenges posed by such a loss.
If the negligence or wrongdoing of another caused your loved one’s death, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. The Flood Law Firm takes on all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our broad experience gives us the knowledge and resources to represent clients effectively in settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial.
Contact The Flood Law Firm for a FREE consultation. Our wrongful death attorneys handle claims throughout Connecticut from offices in Middletown, Waterbury, Danbury, and Bridgeport.
