Just because someone’s death was unintentional does not mean it is not wrongful. A wrongful death in the practice of personal injury law is a death caused by someone else’s negligence, intentionally or not. To illustrate this point, consider some of the most common accidents from wrongful death claims:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Fatal slip and falls
- Terminal occupational illness
- Electrocution caused by negligence
- Fires and explosions caused by negligence
- Medical errors
- Defective products
The death may be considered wrongful if the cause can be linked to someone else’s carelessness. For example, a drunk driver may be held liable in a civil claim if they caused someone’s death in a DUI crash. The manufacturer of a defective drug may be held accountable for deaths caused by the medication. The landlord of an apartment property may be responsible for a tenant’s death caused by a reported but unrepaired defect or malfunction in the apartment.
Some people wonder, “why bother filing a wrongful death claim at all?” It’s a fair question. After all, no amount of compensation will bring your loved one back and undo the loss that has befallen your family. But a wrongful death claim can be an important way of holding the responsible party accountable, which may provide you with a sense of justice. A successful compensation award is an important means of compensating the bereaved for:
- Loss of the deceased’s earnings, benefits and retirement contributions
- Loss of companionship, guidance and guardianship
- Mental anguish
- Loss of inheritance
- End of life medical bills and burial expenses
The only way to know if a wrongful death case is the right choice for your family is to discuss it with an experienced attorney like Laurie Robbins. She is a compassionate advocate for families who have suffered this type of irreparable loss.
If you think you may have a wrongful death claim in Atlanta or the surrounding areas, please contact attorney Laurie Robbins at Robbins Law, PC. After evaluating the details of your loved one’s death, Ms. Robbins can determine if you have a case to pursue justice and compensation.