Losing a loved one is always sad and upsetting, no matter what the circumstances may be. However, it can feel particularly senseless and shocking when a dear family member passes away unexpectedly due to someone else’s negligent action. While a lawsuit may not be your first priority after suffering the loss of your relative, consider seeking legal advice from a Corpus Christi wrongful death lawyer. You could potentially receive compensation.
Compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit can help to ease the financial burden families may face after losing the support of their loved one. While a settlement cannot help with the grief and pain of losing a relative, you deserve justice and fair compensation if someone else’s negligence contributed to the death of your loved one.
Contact Ben Crump, PLLC now for a free consultation with one of our dedicated and compassionate team members by dialing (844) 777-4453.
Examples of Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful death can occur when a person passes away due to the negligence or recklessness of another person or business. In order to have a claim, the family of the victim and their attorney will have to prove that:
- The defendant had a duty of care to the decedent
- They breached the duty
- The breach led to the injury or death of the deceased
- There are damages as a result
Wrongful death accidents can occur in a number of different circumstances, including but not limited to:
Car and Truck Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 38,000 individuals died as a result of car accidents in 2018. While not all accidents happen due to another driver’s negligence, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the overwhelming majority of car accidents, around 94 percent, are caused by driver errors. If your loved one died due to a reckless driver, you could potentially sue and recover compensation.
Medical Error
Relatives of a patient who passed away due to medical malpractice could hold a medical professional or facility to account for their losses. Medical malpractice is a large field and can include a variety of different medical negligence issues, including:
- Misdiagnosis and late diagnosis
- Birth injuries
- Surgical mistakes
- Lack of aftercare
- Early discharge
- Misinterpretation of laboratory results
- Failure to order necessary diagnostic tests
Premises Liability
If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in a slip and fall accident, you could have a wrongful death claim against a property owner. If your relative came to harm due to a hazardous condition such as bulging carpeting, loose cables, flooring defects, or cluttered walking surfaces, you could hold the property owner to account. Relatives could also have a claim if their loved one died as the result of an attack or robbery due to inadequate security at a property.
Workplace Accidents
Not all workplace accidents qualify for personal injury lawsuits. In some instances, families of a loved one who passed away due to a work accident can claim workers’ compensation benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). However, relatives may have legal recourse if their loved one passed away due to a third party’s negligence, for example, another contractor at a job site, the property owner, or others. Consulting with a Corpus Christi wrongful death lawyer can help you find out if you have legal recourse.
Defective Products
In some cases, individuals suffer injuries and deaths due to a defective consumer product or defective medication. Defects can happen as the result of a design mistake, during manufacture, and during distribution. In some cases, defective marketing, such as not listing warnings or sufficient instructions, can also cause accidents, injuries, and deaths. Defective product claims can seem intimidating as they might entail standing up to a multinational corporation. However, a wrongful death lawyer can help to build a comprehensive case and fight for compensation.
There can be other negligent or intentional acts that could lead to wrongful death claims such as dog attacks, nursing home neglect and abuse, aviation accidents, and many others. If you are unsure whether you could file a lawsuit, see how a Corpus Christi wrongful death lawyer can help you assess your legal options.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Corpus Christi, call (844) 777-4453
Compensation in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Surviving relatives can potentially recover damages with a wrongful death lawsuit. However, there is no average settlement in a wrongful death claim, and compensation can depend on several factors such as the value of any lost income from the decedent.
Types of compensation that could be available for the plaintiffs in a wrongful death claim can include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral costs
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of income from the deceased
- Loss of benefits from the deceased
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of parental guidance and instruction for children
- Lost inheritance
Families could potentially receive other types of compensation, depending on the particulars of their claim.
Corpus Christi Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (844) 777-4453
Your Corpus Christi Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help
Families may not know where to turn after the death of their loved one. Grief, as well as having to deal with formalities and paperwork after a death in a family, can feel overwhelming. However, if another party such as an individual or a company negligently caused your loved one’s death, you should seek help as you could potentially hold them to account for your financial losses and emotional suffering.
It is important to remember that you do not have to go through this difficult time on your own. Compassionate and practical help is available. Ben Crump, PLLC is committed to fighting for justice and compensation for the families of victims. We can work on all aspects of your claim, including collecting relevant evidence, conducting research into your case, filing the necessary documents, and so much more.
We do not shy away from tough and complicated cases and work on a “no win, no fee” basis so you have no financial risks. However, timely action is of the essence as there are deadlines for filing wrongful death lawsuits in Texas. Contact Ben Crump, PLLC today and take advantage of a free consultation with one of our team members by dialing (844) 777-4453.
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