Death is inevitable for all of us, but it is exceptionally painful when it occurs as a result of gross negligence or wrongful acts. Close families and authorized persons can file wrongful death lawsuits with the assistance of wrongful death attorneys in Des Moines IA or similar, and get settlements, often in the millions of dollars.
Wrongful death cases are often determined based on a number of situations and factors. If you are unsure, you can always ask a lawyer with expertise in such cases for advice.
The following are 5 of the most common ways negligence can cause wrongful death.
What Causes Wrongful Death?
1. Medical Malpractice
It’s unfortunate when you put your trust in medical professionals to do what’s best for you and they end up making careless mistakes. Medical malpractice involves taking shortcuts during treatment procedures, ignoring set protocols, or missing symptoms. Additionally, if the medical professionals are operating without a valid license, they can be liable for wrongful death if their patient dies.
2. Car Accidents
This is probably the most common type of wrongful death case because of the sheer number of car accidents annually in the United States. Moreover, most accidents involve intoxicated and distracted drivers. If the accidents result in another person’s death, the family can sue for wrongful death.
However, if the accident is caused by other factors, such as faulty vehicle parts or lack of proper signage on the road, the vehicle manufacturer or the local government can be sued for wrongful death.
3. Premise Liability
If a client or customer dies after an accident caused by negligence in a commercial space, then, they can sue for wrongful death. This often happens when the business fails to put safety measures in their establishment in place and fails to put warning signs in case there are dangerous spots.
Premise liability often applies to personal homes where there are unfenced pools, gaping holes, or other dangers that could cause fatal accidents. Whether it is a commercial or non-commercial space, it is the owner’s responsibility to make sure it’s safe for everyone.
4. Workplace Injuries and Occupational Illnesses
It is the responsibility of an employer to provide a safe working environment for their employees. They can do this either by issuing safety protocols and providing them with safety gear. Failure to do any of these could result in an employee hiring a workplace lawyer such as this attorney here to help them file a workers compensation claim if an accident happens, and a wrongful death suit if the employee dies.
Occupational illnesses occur over a long period of time when an employee works in a toxic environment or with hazardous materials. If the employee knew of the potential harm the materials or environmental causes and failed to act, they will be responsible for any of their employee’s deaths.
5. Overdoses and Accidental Poisoning
Overdoses can occur from both legal prescriptions and illegal substance abuse. If a pharmacist fails to indicate how the patient should take the drug, the patient’s overdose is their responsibility.
Also, if they fill their patient’s prescription with the wrong drug, they are liable for accidental poisoning. Some drug dealers sell tainted drugs that can lead to accidental poisoning of their clients. All these instances are grounds for families to sue for the wrongful deaths of their loved ones.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Some of the cases that lead to wrongful deaths are not straightforward. They might require a trained professional to look into the case to determine whether the death was accidental or due to negligence.
The death of a loved one, abruptly and in avoidable circumstances, can be very painful and can affect the family financially. Getting a qualified wrongful death attorney can ensure that the family gets monetary compensation for their suffering and financial burdens.
