Wrongful death suits aren’t all that uncommon. Unfortunately, every day, people’s lives are cut short by the negligent actions of others; but what does “wrongful death” really mean? What causes of death are considered wrongful, and how do these tragedies happen?
Car Accidents
There’s a lot that can go wrong in a car, and there are a lot of ways a person can be irresponsible in a car as well. Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents, which can lead to wrongful death. It doesn’t help that Cleveland drivers were just ranked the 7th worst drivers in America by Quote Wizard. Distracted driving, driving under the influence, and speeding are just a few of the ways to get oneself in trouble on the road, and possibly end up injuring or killing someone. This can also include hitting someone who is walking or on a bike or scooter, such as the new Lime and Bird scooters in downtown Cleveland. There is now a law in Ohio stating that drivers must give bikers 3 feet of space on the road. If a driver forgets or ignores this law, it could end in a loss of life. Motorcyclists are also in danger due to how small their vehicles are compared to normal cars and trucks. If another driver forgets to thoroughly check the space around them before changing lanes, an accident could happen.
Nursing Home Abuse
Unfortunately, facilities put in place to help and care for the elderly sometimes don’t fulfill their responsibilities, and elderly folks can end up being abused emotionally, physically, mentally, and/or sexually. This could result in the wrongful death of an elderly person, especially if the abuse gets physical and if the person is sick or disabled. Nursing home abuse can take the form of malnourishment and dehydration as well, which can both be fatal if not treated.
Medical Negligence or Malpractice
Medical malpractice can take many forms as well. When you put your life into someone else’s hands, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Medical malpractice is when a health professional does something, or neglects to something, and it causes direct harm to the patient. A bad reaction to a medicine would not be considered medical malpractice, because that was not the doctor’s fault. However, if you have an allergy to a medication, that allergy is noted in your chart, and your doctor still gives you the medication and it causes harm, that would be considered medical negligence. Medical negligence falls under the umbrella of medical malpractice. Wrongful death can easily result from medical malpractice. It can be very traumatic for the loved ones of the victim. First, they lost their loved one, and now they have a legal process to go through in order to get justice for that person. If someone close to you has died and you suspect it was a wrongful death due to malpractice, it is important to have an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process.
Dangerous Products
Have you ever seen a recall notice for a product as you walk into a store? Sometimes products are recalled due to safety issues, such as small parts that could break off or chemicals that could cause illness or injury. However, if the company who sells the product knows that their product could cause harm and doesn’t recall it, they could be legally at fault if someone is hurt or falls ill. Products that could cause a wrongful death include airbags in vehicles, car seats, high chairs, tools, and even food. If a person dies as a result of choking on something that shouldn’t have been in their food, like plastic or glass, that could lead to a wrongful death suit.
Did Someone Close to You Suffer a Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death lawsuits can be an emotional process to go through. A legal process can be stressful, especially while you are coping with the loss of someone you love- but we can help you through that process. Contact Steuer, Escovar, and Coleman at (216)-771-8121 for a FREE consultation today, or visit us on our website.
