Wrongful Death Lawsuit Information

A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed in the event that a death, which was preventable, has occurred.  A wrongful death lawsuit is a claim that the death was the result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness.  While a wrongful death may have been the intentional result of the other party’s improper actions, it is often a matter of unintentional but careless disregard for the life and safety of the person whose life was lost.

Causes of Wrongful Death

There are a variety of different situations for which a wrongful death lawsuit would be applicable.  One example would be a hospital setting where a patient’s urgent need for immediate care is clear, but not dealt with by the medical staff.  If medical malpractice results in the patient’s death, the patient’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Another type of wrongful death is a death which occurs from an avoidable accident.  Examples of this form of wrongful death include a homeowner’s failure to keep his property in safe condition and someone’s death being the result of the unsafe property, or a car accident in which someone suffers a fatal injury.

Wrongful death lawsuits can also be filed in situations where the death was intentionally caused.  In this type of situation, however, a wrongful death lawsuit usually corresponds with criminal action against the person who was responsible.  In many cases, both a criminal proceeding and a civil suit are possible. 

Contact an Attorney

A death which could have been prevented had the responsible party exercised due concern for the life and safety of others could be cause for a wrongful death lawsuit.  A wrongful death lawsuit, while being a minor compensation for the loss of a human life, holds the responsible party accountable for their actions. If someone you love was killed as a result of another party's careless or negligent actions, contact an attorney to determine if you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.