It is hard when a family suffers the death of a loved one, but it may be even harder if that death was due to the recklessness of another person. A wrongful death is what happens when a person dies due to the negligence of another person or business. These unfortunate deaths can be caused by a lot of different things, but the following are the most common types of cases involving wrongful death:
Car Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of wrongful death claims for two reasons – the number of drivers on the road and how often people travel. In North Carolina alone, there are 6.8 million registered drivers, which should make it no surprise that in 2017 there were 1,396 people who died in car accidents. Unfortunately, most fatal car accidents are due to the negligence of at least one of the drivers involved. Whether the driver was driving recklessly or while distracted, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or speeding, it can result in tragic consequences.
Medical Malpractice
Most doctors and other medical professionals are highly skilled. However, all of these people are still human and make mistakes. These mistakes can result when something is missed, correct procedures are not followed, or the practitioner cuts corners. The most common types of medical malpractice claims for wrongful death are due to the misdiagnosis of a person or failure to diagnose a person at all with a condition. Errors when treating patients and errors during surgery may also result in wrongful death claims.
Work Accidents
Certain occupations tend to have a higher risk of injuries or death, such as construction jobs and those involving manual labor. However, a wrongful death can still occur in an office setting or even outside of work if the employer requests the employee to be in a dangerous situation. One example is a nurse who is required to work several long shifts and then has a car accident on the way home because he or she was too fatigued to drive.
Defective Products
We all like to think that the products we purchase and use are safe, but in some situations, that is not the case. Product liability is one of the main reasons why manufacturers spend extensive time testing products to ensure their safety. However, mistakes can still happen that result in a defective product. When a product is defective it can result in a wrongful death. The most common defective product lawsuits are due to defective pharmaceuticals, unsafe children’s products, toxic foods, and defective motor vehicles.
Contact an Experienced North Carolina Wrongful Death Attorney
Regardless of the cause of your loved one’s wrongful death, you may be entitled to compensation for his or her death. Compensation can include damages for medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more. The attorneys at the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood have years of experience helping families get back on track after the death of a loved one. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out what your legal options may be.
