A wrongful death case is a civil lawsuit brought by surviving family members after the death of a loved one. It is a legal remedy that is available when a death is caused by negligence, or the failure to use reasonable care. Many types of preventable accidents and incidents can lead to wrongful death cases in Kansas City. To find out if your family has grounds for a wrongful death claim after a fatal accident, contact an attorney.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
The number one cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States is motor vehicle accidents. Car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents put victims at a high risk of suffering serious and fatal injuries. The forces exerted upon the human body in an accident can be enough to break bones, cause traumatic brain injuries and damage the internal organs. Sadly, it is not always possible for car accident victims to survive their injuries. Deadly car accidents in Kansas City are often caused by dangerous and reckless drivers, including drunk drivers and distracted drivers.
Workplace Accidents
A dangerous work environment increases the risk of worker fatalities. Some industries are inherently more dangerous than others, such as construction. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction is responsible for about one in five worker deaths in the U.S. each year. However, fatal workplace injuries can occur in any industry – especially when an employer is negligent. Deadly work accidents can include transportation accidents, falls, electrocutions, struck-by objects, and contact with objects or equipment.
Dangerous Premises
Entering a property should not put someone’s life at risk. Unfortunately, many property owners in Kansas City fall short of the obligation to maintain reasonably safe premises. This can lead to serious and fatal premises liability accidents, such as slip and falls, unintentional drowning in a swimming pool, escalator and elevator malfunctions, falls down faulty stairs, and dog attacks.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice refers to a healthcare provider offering less than the required standard of care when treating a patient. When a patient receives substandard care, it can affect his or her health to the point of causing wrongful death. A victim of medical malpractice may receive unnecessary treatment, for example, or fail to receive the life-saving treatment that he or she needs. Potentially fatal examples of medical malpractice include anesthesia errors, surgical mistakes, failure to diagnose, medication errors, emergency room mistakes and birth injuries.
Product Defects
A defective product contains issues that make it unreasonably dangerous for consumers, such as a manufacturing, design or marketing flaw. In the worst-case scenarios, defective products can cause wrongful deaths. The recent Takata airbag recall, for example, involved exploding airbags that took 24 lives in the U.S. Product manufacturers and distributors can be held liable for serious injuries and fatalities caused by their defective products, such as defective car parts, e-cigarettes, children’s toys and appliances. Defective pharmaceuticals or drugs are another common cause of wrongful death.
Violence and Criminal Activity
Violent crime in Kansas City takes dozens of lives each year. These crimes include gun crimes, stabbings and physical assaults. In addition to holding a criminal responsible for committing the crime of manslaughter, murder or homicide, it may also be possible to hold a third party accountable. A premises liability case may be available, for example, if a property owner was guilty of negligent security – the failure to keep a premises reasonably secure from criminal activity – in connection to a victim’s death.
Seeking Compensation for the Death of a Loved One
If you recently lost a loved one in a preventable accident, your family may be entitled to financial compensation. While no amount of money can replace the life of a family member, recovering fair and full financial compensation can help a grieving family cover related expenses and plan for the future with greater financial stability. To find out if you have grounds to file a wrongful death claim contact a Kansas City wrongful death lawyer at Dickerson Oxton. We have the ability to handle any type of fatal accident case and offer free case consultations.