In the unfortunate event that someone dies because of the negligence or malpractice of another individual, the family of the deceased may want to contact a wrongful death lawyer. A wrongful death lawyer will file a lawsuit against the person, people, or corporation responsible for the victim’s death and therefore provide some justice and closure for the victim’s family. In general, a wrongful death lawsuit can arise because of the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness of another person, or in some cases, a corporation. There are several common causes of wrongful death including car, truck, motorcycle, bus, train, and plane accidents, drunk driving accidents, medical malpractice, defective products or product liability, construction or industrial accidents, and fires.
A wrongful death lawyer understands that drivers of all kinds of vehicles have the responsibility to use extreme caution when operating their vehicles. They must follow all the laws, and drive safely in all road conditions – rain, snow, sleet, and ice. They must be aware of all other people using the roadways, whether they are driving a vehicle or are on foot. A wrongful death lawyer will know and be able to apply the laws in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred to file a suit against the party who was at fault.
Hiring a wrongful death lawyer with plenty of experience can also be useful in the event of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice involves misdiagnosis, errors during surgery, and poor medical care. She can work to make sure the rights of the family are protected, while advising them on the best actions to end up with a positive resolution. The wrongful death lawyer will need to meet with the hospital, the staff, the insurance company, and the family to put together the facts of what happened to the deceased.
Other times, a wrongful death lawyer will work on a product liability case or a workplace accident. If a death results from the use of a particular product, she will attempt to hold the manufacturer, product designer, and distributer accountable for the product in question. Through the lawsuit, she will help the family make sure the product will meet safety guidelines and provide the proper warning labels for future product users. If a person dies while working, the lawyer must meet with co-workers, owners, managers, and other people in the industry to decide if the death was the result of the negligence, disregard for safety, or failure to follow government standards.
If the case settles or the victim’s family wins at court, the wrongful death lawyer can hand over thousands to millions of US Dollars. The lawyer will, in most cases, take a portion of the proceeds to cover her costs and the hours she worked to prepare for the case. Consequently, hiring a wrongful death lawyer can be beneficial to the case. In general, she will know the laws, the statutes of limitations, and the elements necessary to win in the courtroom. The wrongful death lawyer will also know what compensation is owed to the family – ranging from loss of companionship to loss of wages or compensation to cover the cost of the funeral.
