Wrongful death is the passing of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or the willful act of another person or entity.
When this happens, eligible family members can pursue a wrongful death claim to recover financially from the incident. While it won’t bring back a loved one, it can help with lost income, funeral expenses, and medical bills.
Learn about some of the most common causes of wrongful death. But if you’ve lost a loved one to a cause that is not listed, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to see if you might have a wrongful death case.
1. Vehicle Accidents
In 2020, there were 38,680 motor vehicle fatalities. Tragically, that’s a 7 percent increase over the previous year. From distracted driving to drunk driving, driver negligence is a large problem facing the US, which leads to too many deaths.
2. Medical Malpractice
When a medical provider fails to meet the standard of care that the industry expects and a patient dies, you might have a wrongful death case against that medical provider. Some examples of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, prescription errors, birth injuries, and defective medical devices.
3. Workplace Accidents
Faulty tools and equipment can lead to workplace injuries. But so can unsafe workplaces, poor employee training, illnesses, fires, and other dangerous situations. Failing to look out for employees and their well-being is a form of negligence. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a workplace accident, you might have a wrongful death case.
4. Premises Liability
Property owners have a responsibility to keep their property safe for visitors. When they fail to do so, they could be liable for the injuries that these visitors sustain. A simple slip and fall could prove fatal. Additionally, when a business fails to provide adequate security leading to the death of its patrons, you might have a wrongful death lawsuit.
5. Nursing Home Neglect or Accidents
Nursing homes provide an important service. But sadly, these facilities sometimes fail to care for patients the way that they should. An accident or neglectful care could lead to the passing of your loved one. If that happens, you can hold the facility accountable for its poor care. Deaths in nursing homes can be something as simple as failing to provide a patient with the medications they require on the schedule their doctor has set.
6. Pedestrian/Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists have a right to use the roadway just like cars do. But when motorists fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists the way that they should, it can lead to severe accidents and even death. If your loved one suffered a pedestrian or bicycle accident that led to their death, you should seek counsel from an attorney as soon as possible.
7. Criminal Acts
Crimes can lead the perpetrator to face criminal charges. But civil cases can also come from criminal acts. When someone murders your loved one, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the perpetrator. This is an apparent wrongful death, but there can be fewer apparent cases of criminal acts leading to death as well. This includes bullying or online predators that cause someone to take their own life.
8. Truck Accidents
Given their size and weight, trucks can cause serious damage if they collide with another vehicle. Truck accidents are even more likely than car accidents to lead to fatalities. Losing a loved one in this way is heartbreaking.
Indiana Wrongful Death Lawyers Who Care About Your Case
Regardless of the cause of your loved one’s untimely passing, you should seek legal advice from an Indiana wrongful death attorney to discuss your case. Stewart & Stewart offers a free case evaluation to help victims’ families recover financially after losing a loved one.