Wrongful Death Statistics
The National Safety Council estimates that preventable injuries are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirms this fact and further explain how unintentional injuries took the lives of over 161,374 individuals throughout 2016.
What is wrongful death, and what are the most common causes? When an unintentional injury causes death, does the family have any legal recourse? Read on to find out.
What is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death occurs when someone passes away as a result of an accident or unintentional injury. These devastating events cause extreme and unnecessary strain on the survivors. Here are some of the most common types of wrongful death situations:
• Car accident
• Medical malpractice
• Work-related accident
• Death caused by a criminal act
• Death during a supervised activity
• Premises liability accidents
• Products liability accidents
These accidents are all avoidable, so it’s the court’s assumption that the liable party should be responsible for any losses associated with the wrongful death.
What Causes a Wrongful Death?
Negligence can cause accidents that lead to wrongful deaths. Negligence means acting in a way that is reckless or careless and falls below the standard of care owed to that person. In order for someone to be deemed negligent, they must have owed the other person some duty of care. Motorists, property owners, doctors, employers and other parties usually owe other drivers, invited guests, patients or their employees a certain level of care. The person’s carelessness must have directly caused the accident that led to the wrongful death.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
When a loved one has passed away in these circumstances, the surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in court. Compensation can be pursued for the loss of support, the lost prospect of inheritance, medical and funeral expenses. In situations where the wrongdoing was extreme, survivors may also pursue punitive damages.
One of the most infamous wrongful death lawsuits occurred in 1994 with O.J. Simpson. The nation was stunned when the formerly beloved football star was found not guilty of murder in criminal court, but he was found to be legally liable for two wrongful deaths in civil court. If the person responsible wasn’t convicted in criminal court, then don’t give up hope. Reach out to a wrongful death attorney to discuss your options for seeking out a civil lawsuit.
Contact a Atlantic City Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Wrongful Death Case in New Jersey or Pennsylvania
Has a loved one been the victim of a wrongful death in New Jersey or Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Richard A. Stoloff represent families of wrongful death in Atlantic City, Galloway Township, Linwood, Philadelphia and throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Call or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 605 New Road, Linwood, NJ, 08221 as well as offices in 1500 JFK Blvd, Suite 520, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.