Death is a tragic thing that everyone wishes to avoid, but it is beyond grievous when death comes due to wrongful happenings. Many deaths can be prevented, especially when caused by the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of others. Unfortunately, such incidents occur, but it is important to acknowledge that they can be avoided.
To raise awareness about the severity of wrongful deaths, it is important to have an understanding of the common causes behind them. Below we will walk through some of the most common wrongful deaths that we see at our office.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
The most typical instance of wrongful deaths comes from car, truck, or bike accidents resulting from gross negligence or reckless behavior, such as drunk or distracted driving.
Car accidents are very common, it amounts to approximately 1.3 million deaths worldwide, reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). And, a worrying percentage of it goes to wrongful deaths.
Medical Malpractice
In 2018, CNBC reported that more than 250,000 people from the US die every year due to medical errors. According to the article, it is also the third highest cause of death, only after heart disease and cancer.
Medical malpractice includes misdiagnosis of ailments, surgical errors, and failure to provide the appropriate standard of care, resulting in the harm or death of the patient.
Workplace Related Accidents
These incidents can result in severe injuries, life-altering disabilities, and even fatalities. These cases can be hard to identify but should always be considered if your loved one had an
accident while working. When a worker dies from reasons that could have been avoided, such as hazardous working conditions, defective equipment, or lack of safety protocol, it is considered a wrongful death.
If the negligent act was by a coworker or the employers a workers compensation claim results.If it was by some third party, a liability and compensation claim results.
Criminal Acts
Wrongful death caused by criminal acts refers to situations when someone dies because of the violent actions of another person who has committed a crime. This includes homicide, assault, or other brutal acts.
An example of it will be if someone dies because of a robbery or physical altercation. In those cases, their loved ones can file for a wrongful death lawsuit against the perpetrator.
Defective Product
A wrongful death can occur when someone dies because of a toxic or defective product. Some of those products can be cosmetics, medical devices, or even pharmaceuticals. This can include someone using a faulty product and contracting a fatal disease. A common one can be vehicle tires that are defective that result in accidents while driving.
Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing Home Abuse is a severe issue that can result in significant physical and psychological harm or even death to elderly residents. This wrongful act occurs when nursing home staff,
caregivers, or other parties responsible for the care of the elderly engage in harmful behavior such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, negligence, and abandonment. These actions are unacceptable and violate the trust in professionals working with elderly individuals who require special attention and care.
Victims of Nursing Home Abuse suffer from physical injuries such as bruises, broken bones, infections, or malnutrition. This is also a common cause of wrongful death cases that you should be aware of, and if you believe your loved one has suffered while in a nursing home facility, call our office so we can help you through this challenging time.
These are just a few examples of the most frequent causes of wrongful deaths. If you suspect that someone you love has died as a result of another party’s carelessness, Collins Law can help you. For further information, contact us at 318-626-7300 or fill out our online form and schedule your free initial consultation today. We will leave no stone unturned to make sure you get the justice you deserve.