When a person dies unexpectedly, it is a sorrowful shock for their family and friends. The loved ones are left to carry on and pick up the pieces. If that person’s death was due to the carelessness or negligence of another person – or of a business – then the person’s family may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
What types of situations tend to present themselves most often to Cincinnati wrongful death lawyers?
1. Medical Malpractice
Failure to diagnose a condition is one of the most common causes for these lawsuits. A misdiagnosis can spur a malpractice suit as well. When one of these mistakes leads to delayed care and delayed recovery, that’s one thing, but if it causes the patient’s death, it is another situation entirely.
2. Car Accidents
If one driver’s negligence leads to the death of another driver – or that driver’s passengers – a wrongful death case is necessary. DUI is one example of driver negligence. Other examples may be reckless driving, speeding, or texting while driving. “Not paying attention to the road” is a kind of negligence too.
3. Truck Accidents
Accidents involving big rig trucks such as 18-wheelers constitute their own category of lawsuits. The fatality rates are much higher, for one thing. Also, the examples of negligence are often less about driver error and more about the way the truck was prepared – either involving mechanical problems with the truck or driving with a load that was too heavy to handle properly.
4. Pedestrian Accidents
Sadly, the types of accidents that might only be fender-benders when two cars are involved are often fatal if a person is hit in a crosswalk.
5. Workplace Accidents
Deaths due to workplace conditions do not always happen at the place of employment. There have been cases where workers had to work so many shifts – or such long shifts – that they fell asleep while driving home, and the employer was found liable.
6. Harmful Consumer Products
Foods can be toxic, as can medicines. Children’s products can be poorly designed and hazardous. The flawed design of a car can lead to fatal injuries as well.