Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one can be tough on anyone, but it’s especially difficult to cope if you know that your loved one’s death could have been prevented. If your loved one’s death was caused by the negligent or reckless behavior of another person, you may be able to file a wrongful
death claim to recover compensation for your loss. Here are some of the most common causes of wrongful death:

Car, truck, and motorcycle drivers are legally obligated to make responsible choices and act in a way that does not put others in harm’s way. Unfortunately, many drivers do not fulfill this obligation, and instead act negligently behind the wheel of their vehicles. If a driver causes a fatal accident because he is distracted, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving recklessly, the victim’s family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against him.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

These distracted, intoxicated, and reckless drivers can also collide with innocent pedestrians or bicyclists. Because pedestrians and bicyclists do not have protection against the impact of a car, they are often killed in these tragic accidents.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals are trained to help those in need, but they often make fatal mistakes while treating a patient. There are many different types of medical malpractice that could lead to a wrongful death, including surgical errors, anesthesia errors, prescription medication errors, misdiagnosis, and failure to diagnose. Medical malpractice cases are complex and often involve multiple defendants such as doctors, nurses, and the hospitals that employ these professionals.

Workplace Accidents

Employers are required to provide their employees with safe working conditions, but if they fail to do so, they may be named in a wrongful death lawsuit if an employee is killed while on the job. Where do the most workplace accidents occur? Many of them take place on construction sites. Construction workers are at a higher risk of injuring themselves or being involved in fatal accidents while on-the-job. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that one in five workplace-related deaths were in the construction industry.

Defective Products

Product engineers, manufacturers, and retailers cannot make or sell dangerous products to consumers. If a product is sold with a defect that causes a fatality, the victim’s family may be able to hold these parties accountable for their loss. One example of a defective product would be the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone . This product was defective and as a result, it began to overheat and catch fire after extended use. If any fatalities were caused by this phone’s defect, Samsung would be legally responsible.

Taking legal action may be the last thing on your mind after the loss of a loved one, but it’s important that you explore your legal options so you can hold the negligent party accountable. Contact James Rush at Rush Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation regarding your wrongful death case. Call 415-897-4801 or fill out the online form on our website, www.rushinjurylaw.com .