Wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts of another individual. These incidents can be particularly devastating and often result in the deceased’s family seeking legal action with the help of a wrongful death attorney to recover compensation for the loss.
The causes of wrongful death can vary widely, yet some are more common than others. In this article, we will highlight some of the most common causes of wrongful death.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents, including those involving trucks, cars, buses, and motorcycles, are some of the most common causes of wrongful death. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 46,027 motor vehicle deaths in 2022 alone.
Some of the most common reasons that these accidents arise are due to negligent driving behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and reckless driving. Accidents involving trucks and buses are also more likely to cause death due to their sheer weight and size. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents not only claim the lives of drivers and passengers but also pedestrians and cyclists.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is another top cause of wrongful death. This occurs when healthcare providers fail to administer the expected standard of care to their patients. Medical errors such as misdiagnoses, surgical mistakes, and delayed or improper treatment are some of the most common types of medical malpractice that may lead to death.
Medical malpractice lawsuits can be particularly complex as there are a number of different parties who may be held liable for the death, including the health care provider, hospital, or pharmaceutical company.
Defective Products
Another common reason that wrongful death incidents occur is from defective or dangerous products. Although manufacturers, designers, and distributors are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe for consumers to use, sometimes defects can occur and can lead to serious consequences.
Additionally, a lack of warning signs about the potential dangers of a product can also lead to accidents. Some common defective products include vehicles, household products, medical devices, and medications. Depending on the nature of the defective product, there are several different parties who may be held responsible for the death.
Work Accidents
Accidents in the workplace are also a common cause of wrongful death. In particular, high-risk industries such as construction, transportation, and manufacturing are where some of the most workplace accidents occur. If workplace environments are not properly managed and maintained, it can lead to serious and even fatal injuries. Falls from heights, injuries from heavy machinery, electrocution, and exposure to toxic chemicals are just a few dangers that exist in the workplace and can lead to wrongful death.
To help mitigate the risk of these fatal accidents occurring, employers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers all have a responsibility to do their part and ensure that the employees are in safe working environments. Employees also have a responsibility to report potential dangers or near misses to their employer in an effort to keep everyone on the worksite safe.
