Different Types of Wrongful Death Cases
Deaths are difficult for the families involved, but they can be more difficult when caused by someone’s negligence. A spouse or family member can file a wrongful death lawsuit when an individual’s death is directly caused by the wrongful act or negligence of a person or business. John Mobley Law Firm has experience with a variety of wrongful death claims. Here are some of the most common types.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are the most common type of wrongful death claims because there are more than 4 million drivers in South Carolina, and there are crashes every day, many of which lead to fatalities. Whether a result of speeding, not paying attention to the road or driving under the influence, most automobile fatalities are because of a driver’s negligence. The negligent driver can be liable for the deaths of anyone else involved in the accident. If the accident occurred because of road issues, the city or county might be liable.
Medical Malpractice
Most doctors, nurses and medical professionals are highly skilled and very good at what they do. Fatal mistakes occur when medical personnel miss something, cut corners or don’t follow correct procedures. The most common medical malpractice wrongful death causes are misdiagnosis of a condition or failure to diagnose a condition. Errors during surgery and when treating conditions also are common.
Accidents at Work
Occupations with higher risk, especially dangerous labor and construction jobs, have more workplace fatalities. A wrongful death can occur at an office or outside of work if an employer puts the employee in a dangerous situation. For example, if a doctor is forced to work multiple 12-hour shifts at a hospital and dies in a car accident on the way home because he fell asleep, the employer could be held liable.
Defective Products
If a person dies because of a defective product, the manufacturer of the product can be held liable in a wrongful death claim. Common examples of this include defective pharmaceutical products, defective automobiles and unsafe products designed for children.
Pedestrian Accidents
Accidents involving pedestrians can easily cause fatalities because pedestrians don’t have the protection that drivers do. Driver negligence is a common cause of these accidents, but a municipality can be liable if the driver couldn’t see the pedestrian because the pedestrian walkways weren’t visible.
We know that financial compensation will not bring your loved one back, but if your family has suffered a wrongful death, compensation can cover funeral expenses, lost wages and much more. The experienced attorneys at the John Mobley Law Firm have experience with a wide variety of wrongful death claims and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.