Whenever negligence contributes to the untimely death of an innocent person, the decedent’s loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the legally responsible party. Through a wrongful death lawsuit, the surviving family members can seek compensation for their loved one’s pain and suffering, lost income, medical bills, funeral expenses, and other losses. Going further, a wrongful death claim allows the family to seek justice for the loss of their loved one.
Aside from drunk driving accidents, many types of fatal accidents do not result in criminal charges. For example, if a small child was attacked and killed by his neighbor’s Pit Bull, the dog’s owners most likely would not face criminal charges. If a man fell to his death through a broken floorboard in his friend’s attic, the friend probably would not face criminal charges. Or, if a woman accidentally backed up over a hired hand who was in her driveway picking up something under her truck, she wouldn’t likely be prosecuted.
A Wrongful Death Claim May Be the Only Option
In a nutshell, when someone isn’t criminally charged for taking someone else’s life because it was accidental, a wrongful death lawsuit may be the only legal remedy the surviving family has to seek justice and compensation for the loss of their loved one. Families often file wrongful death claims in connection to accidental deaths under the following circumstances:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Drowning accidents
- Dog attacks
- Premises liability accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dangerous drugs
- Defective products
- Criminal homicide, such as manslaughter and murder
Accidental or wrongful deaths occur in a variety of situations. Often, the decedent’s surviving family members have no clue that they can file a wrongful death lawsuit. So, keep in mind that whenever someone is in a fatal accident, there’s usually an opportunity to file a wrongful death claim. If your loved one was killed in an accident, we urge you to explore your legal options. Contact us today to meet with a Columbia, SC personal injury attorney. We are here to help you and your family in every way possible.