Fatal Personal Injuries:
Causes of Wrongful Death

Washington, D.C., Maryland, & Virginia

When the accidents and injuries that normally give rise to a personal injury lawsuit turn fatal, loved ones may pursue compensation for the loss of a child, parent, or spouse through a wrongful death lawsuit. Intentional homicide is the most obvious cause of wrongful death, but negligence and strict liability cases are more common. In fact, due to a combination of legal factors, a wrongful death lawsuit is often the only form of justice when a person dies because of someone else’s actions or inaction.

Auto accidents

Auto accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States. The responsible party in a fatal auto accident is often one of the drivers, but auto accidents happen for many reasons and can have multiple responsible parties including:

• Auto manufacturers
• Government entities responsible for maintaining roadways
• Trucking companies responsible for the behavior of drivers and the condition of their trucks

Types of auto accidents which may result in wrongful death include:

• Auto accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Defective roadways
• Defective vehicles

Other forms of transportation

Accidents involving other types of transportation can be even more complex than car and truck accidents. Additional laws, strict time limits, multiple responsible parties, and government entities almost always come into play when pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit involving:

• Boating accidents
• Aviation accidents
• Railroad accidents
• Bus accidents

Premises liability turns deadly

Property and business owners have a duty to provide a safe environment for customers, employees, and other guests. This includes eliminating hazards and providing adequate security. Wrongful death claims related to premises liability include:

• Slip and fall
• Falling merchandise
• Negligent security leading to fatal assaults
• Drowning accidents

Fatal injuries on the job

Whether due to long term exposure to toxic substances, inadequate safety practices which lead to an accident, or faulty equipment, job-related injuries which can end in wrongful death include:

• Defective machinery
• Faulty electrical equipment
• Toxic exposure

Medical errors

Medical errors are one of the leading cause of death in the United States. Even so, wrongful death as a result of medical malpractice is very difficult to prove. Cause and effect must be very clearly presented. You need the help of an experienced medical malpractice attorney and a team of experts. Medical errors leading to wrongful death include:

• Nursing home abuse
• Failure to diagnose cancer and other serious illnesses
• Surgical errors
• Pharmacy errors
• Defective drugs
• Emergency room errors

Acts of violence by governments and law enforcement

One of the benefits of living in the U.S. is protection from excessive force by law enforcement officers and from acts of violence sponsored or endorsed by foreign governments. You may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit if you have lost a loved one to violent acts including:

• Police brutality
• Terrorism

If your loved one has been the victim of wrongful death, please email or call the personal injury law offices of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel P.C. Our skilled wrongful death attorneys can assess your situation and help you through this painful time. If you would like to redress the wrong through a legal claim, we will fight to obtain all the compensation you may be entitled to.

Frequently Asked Wrongful Death Questions
What is a Wrongful Death Case?
Understanding Wrongful Death Laws

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