At Krause Law Firm we know the phrase ” wrongful death ” can be difficult to understand.
These cases can be defined, however, when a fatality results from someone who is “acting carelessly, recklessly, or negligently and/or with a total disregard for an individual’s safety.”
Although wrongful death cases are typically accidental, they can also include specific situations in which the allegedly guilty party actually had an intent to kill or harm another human being.
While there’s an extensive list of circumstances which can result in a wrongful death, the following 5 examples are some of the most common causes we’ve seen at Krause Law Firm :
a) Workplace Accidents
One major cause of wrongful death is workplace accidents. Such accidents include slip and falls, explosions, or even malfunctioning equipment. Work sites most commonly known for wrongful death include manufacturing plants, construction sites, and mining locations, but fatal accidents can occur anywhere… including an office setting.
b) Car Accidents
Car accidents are also among the most common causes of wrongful death claims. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), approximately 40,000 people are killed each year in the U.S. from auto accidents.
c) Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is unfortunately another common cause of wrongful death. These types of incidents can happen when a doctor, surgeon, nurse, or other healthcare provider) neglects to deliver adequate medical care to a patient, resulting in death. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that more than 90% of medical malpractice claims resulted in permanent, lifelong injuries or wrongful death.
d) Criminal Acts
Someone who commits an unlawful act which results in the death of another individual can be subject to both civil law and criminal proceedings. As a matter of fact, the person accused in these cases does not have to be convicted in criminal court proceedings prior to filing a civil wrongful death claim. While criminal court proceedings are prosecuted by the state, civil lawsuits are usually filed by the victim’s loved ones.
e) Defective Products
A product may be defective if an error was made during the designing, manufacturing, labeling or distributing stage. If someone is killed from the use of a product with a design flaw or was tainted during the manufacturing process, one of the victim’s family members can possibly file a wrongful death claim.
Our experienced team of attorneys at Krause Law Firm want to make sure you know your rights when it comes to a possible wrongful death claim.
For more information about our services or to schedule a FREE consultation contact our law office TODAY: 404.835.8080.
We will fight for you!
Krause Law Firm