5 Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases
If a loved one has died and another person is liable for the accident or incident, you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. By pointing out the negligence exhibited by a person or party in the accident, you can effectively put fault for the death on that party. While any kind of accident that causes death can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit, there are a few activities that are common causes of wrongful death claims.
1. Car Accidents
Car accidents caused by the negligence of the other driver is a prime case for a wrongful death suit. Some examples of vehicle negligence are running a red light or stop sign, distracted driving (i.e. texting or eating), speeding or other driving violations. If the driver is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, they are also negligent and at least partially responsible for the accident.
2. Truck Accidents
The sheer size of the vehicle makes any accident involving a semi-truck a serious one. The weight of the vehicle makes it a weapon, meaning any other vehicle or pedestrian they strike are immediately put in peril. If a truck driver is driving recklessly, during poor conditions, with too big a load, or while intoxicated, they are at fault for any death that occurs as a result of the accident.
3. Medical Malpractice
Negligence on the part of a doctor can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor or the hospital. If the doctor acted recklessly or did not follow the necessary rules and procedures during an operation, they could be at fault. Another example of medical malpractice is if the doctor operated on a patient when they were not fit to, such as when drunk, on other drugs, in a poor mental state, or incredibly tired.
4. Defective Products
In general, products go through very strict screening to make sure there is no risk for accident or injury from use. However, through negligence some dangerous or defective products can slip through the cracks and cause a death to a loved one. Some examples of wrongful deaths through defective products are poorly tested pharmaceuticals, poisonous food, toxic containers, toys or other products that are dangerous, and defective vehicles.
5. A Workplace Accident
It is the responsibility of an employer to make sure their workplace is a safe one in order to protect the well-being of their employees. If a workplace accident that the company wasn’t adequately prepared for occurs, they could be liable for a wrongful death claim. This could be a fire occurring when the building was not up to code, or a similar disaster. Another situation where a workplace accident could lead to a wrongful death lawsuit is if a coworkers negligence leads to the accident, such as operating equipment under the influence or not performing the necessary safety precautions. Some other examples include manufacturing accidents, asbestos or mesothelioma, and transportation accidents.
Bates Law Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in San Diego
If your loved one perished in an accident and someone else is at fault, file a wrongful death lawsuit with Bates Law, APC. Our experienced attorneys know exactly how to proceed through these difficult time, providing you peace of mind knowing we have things covered.
Contact Bates Law, APC for a free consultation today by calling (619) 222-0900.