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LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Wrongful Death

A Wrongful Death Lawsuit is a claim against a person who can be held liable for a wrongful death. If a loved one has died as a result of another party's negligence, including wrongful death malpractice, a wrongful death attorney can evaluate the case and determine wrongful death damages in accordance with wrongful death law.



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Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is a claim against a person who can be held liable for a death. A wrongful death lawsuit claims that your loved one's death was caused as a result of a willful act or wrongful act, or the negligence (liability) on the part of another person (the defendant), and that the surviving dependents or beneficiaries are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the defendant's conduct.

wrongful death lawsuitWrongful death charges may be brought against the individual(s) responsible and can also be brought against public agencies that may be responsible for death, including a city or state, a city jail, state prison, state or private hospital, school, public company, nursing home, etc. State law defines who is allowed to bring a wrongful death suit. Some states only allow a spouse or children to file a wrongful death lawsuit, while other states allow grandparents or other relatives to file a claim for wrongful death damages.

As well, wrongful death lawsuits are brought to civil court and the complaint must be submitted within the statue of limitations and these time limitations are different in each state. Every state has their own wrongful death law or set of laws, which governs these civil personal injury cases.

A wrongful death can occur in a number of circumstances. Every year in the US, over 90,000 deaths occur due to malpractice alone (including 7,000 deaths caused by medication errors) Other causes of wrongful death include slip and fall (premise) injury, car or other vehicle accidents , nursing home abuse , work related injury, defective drug injury , dog bite injury, exposure to toxic materials, and defective product injuries.

The Traffic Safety Annual Assessment reported more than 45,000 motor vehicle fatalities in 2005, making it the leading cause of death in unintentional accidents. In the same year, 19,656 slip and fall fatalities and 5,840 fatalities resulting from workplace accidents were reported.
 

Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim generally consists of the following:
  • The death was caused, in whole or part, by the conduct of the defendant;
  • The defendant was negligent or strictly liable for the victim's death;
  • There is a surviving spouse, children, beneficiaries or dependents; and
  • Monetary damages have resulted from the victim's death.
In a typical wrongful death case, a wrongful death lawyer seeks to obtain damages for the victim's family which may include:
  • Immediate expenses associated with the death (medical & funeral);
  • Loss of victim's anticipated earnings in the future until time of retirement or death;
  • Loss of benefits caused by the victim's death (pension, medical coverage, etc.);
  • Loss of inheritance caused by the untimely death;
  • Pain and suffering, or mental anguish to the survivors;
  • Loss of care, protection, companionship to the survivors;
  • General damages;
  • Punitive damages

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Families (or a family member) who file a successful wrongful death lawsuit (meaning that the family of the wrongful death victim can prove the fatality was the result of another person or party's negligence or malpractice) can sometimes be awarded very large settlements in damages.

In July 2010 Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor charged with giving the pop superstar a lethal dose of sedatives one year ago. Joe Jackson's attorney said there's a one-year deadline after a death to sue doctors in the state of California.

In March 2010 a settlement of more than $1.6 million was awarded to two children who lost their father due to a workplace accident.

In 1995, after OJ Simpson was found not guilty, he was sued in civil court by the Brown and Goldman families for the wrongful death of their loved ones. In 1997, the families were awarded $33.5 million in compensatory damages, an award that Simpson successfully challenged in court.

In 2006 CNN talk show host Nancy Grace was sued for wrongful death by relatives of Melinda Ducket, a 21-year-old Florida mother who committed suicide days after being confronted on-air by Grace about the whereabouts of the woman's missing two-year-old son. The wrongful death lawsuit alleged that Grace intentionally inflicted emotional distress on their loved one by insinuating that she had killed her son, driving the mother to take her own life just hours before her pre-taped appearance on Grace's talk show was to be aired. The Ducket family's lawsuit against Grace is pending.

In 1998, "Saturday Night Live" actor and comedian Phil Hartman was shot to death by his wife, Brynn, who then took her own life. Brynn Hartman's brother sued Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the anti-depressant Zoloft, which Brynn was taking for panic attacks, alleging the drug drove her to insanity that caused her to shoot her husband and herself. Pfizer settled the wrongful death suit for an undisclosed amount.

In the 1970s, Ford Motor Company was held liable for the wrongful deaths of Pinto motorists. The Pinto was eventually recalled.

Wrongful Death Legal Help

If a loved one has suffered a wrongful death, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible wrongful death lawsuit. Please click the link below to submit your complaint to a wrongful death lawyer for a free case evaluation.

 


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WRONGFUL DEATH LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Family of Apollo 13 Star Bill Paxton File Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Family of Apollo 13 Star Bill Paxton File Wrongful Death Lawsuit
February 14, 2018
Los Angeles, CA: Almost a year ago Bill Paxton, the actor who starred in “Apollo 13” died suddenly following heart surgery. This week, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the surgeon and the medical center where Paxton underwent surgery. The complaint asserts the surgeon was negligent as he misrepresented the risks of involved with the procedure. READ MORE

Failure to Train is Core of Police Shooting Problems
Failure to Train is Core of Police Shooting Problems
September 2, 2016
Tampa, FL Gaps in training are a likely cause of death and injury at the hands of police officers in the US according to one veteran police officer and instructor in law enforcement procedures. Tom Bosley, who served as a Florida law enforcement officer for over 30 years, says when deadly shootings make the headlines one of the first questions to be asked should be about the training the officer had to deal with that situation. READ MORE

Lawyers Target Makers of Assault-Style Guns
Lawyers Target Makers of Assault-Style Guns
July 12, 2016
Corpus Christi, TX: Veteran attorneys Bob Hilliard and Steve Berman were already preparing to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of victims of the Orlando gay nightclub shootings on June 12, 2016. READ MORE

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

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My daughter was suicidal she tried to jomp ower the train ambulance tuk her to hospital in 5 oars they let her go home after 10 day she kill her self

Posted by

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My husband was shot and killed by the Carolina county police force, they said he was suicidal , however they shot my husband on the other side of a closed steel door.

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My mom had cancer she was then transferred to a rehab. Facilty she was found outside her window the medical examiner ruled her death a suicide what my options if any

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in an infant or child strangulation death in blind cords. can the defendant (manufacturer) who payed out a million dollars in punitive damages , can this manufacturer claim on his government taxes this million dollar payout as a business expense ?

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My father Paseed away 2/2016 he was in stage renal faluire becouse they didn't realize he needed a pacemaker they put one in and went to stage 3 he got a cold they gave him pradaxa or xarelto and he died of a gi bleed. Don't know if my sister filed a claim she won't tell becouse she intends to keep it all,how can I find out if a claim was even filed. Thanks Tessa.

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My brother and two other people were robbed and shot to death,one of the suspects had a lengthy record and served 10 years for a homicide, can i sue the state and parole board for wrongful death because they let this animal out too early which caused my brothers death?I would like to help my brothers only son to monetary damages for negligence on the state and parole board.

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My sister's closest girlfriend had an affair with her husband. Police say it was a murder-suicide.My sister shot him because she found out about his affair with her girlfriend. Happened in Arizona 2007. Can I bring a civil suit to this adulteress that caused my sister's death?

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on may 1st of 2015 my son shot himself 15 minutes after a 90 minute interrogation by the Appomattox county sheriff's office. The investigator said their phones were flooded with between 300-500 phone calls says my son was going to bring guns to school on his birthday May 1st. an shoot as many as he could. they interrogated him for over 90 minutes calling him a lair to every question they asked. they finally left. The vice principle and my self had talked early in the day about these rumors. an he found no indication of the claims as,as had the school resource officer. we decided the best course of action for my son was to stay home that next day May 1st. His birthday and his mother's. they left telling him they would be watching the house and not try to leave. 15 minutes after they left he shot himself in the head and died in my arms. I was placed in va baptist hospital on a TPO until monday afternoon against my will. The sheriff came on tv later friday night and said it was ABOUT 12.

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My daughter was living in a ICF (intermediate care facility l was her legal gurdian, and mother. ) she was not at all happy living there. She needed a new communication device. Which they never tried to make a effort to get her. I had taken care of her for 22yrs. Of her short 27 year life. On may 3, 2016 at the home she resided in. We had a meeting with the executive director Ms. Baker and the director Ms coulter, along with the staff. I was told if I did not like the place. Then she my daughter could stay!! So long as l gave up my guardianship!!!!! I was dismayed and appalled. They promised that when my daughter moved in. She would get to go to church once a month. Go on outings. Be treated with dignity and respect!!!! What a joke. She was there there for 15 months. After the meeting l went to the board of DD services and the next day she had a exit wavier. Allowing her to move anywhere in the state of Ohio. She was 2 weeks away from moving. She could not have any sugar, carbs, or alcohol due to her diet for seizure control. I saw her on the 24, 25, of September. They the staff would not let me speak to her on the phone when I called to say prayers on the night of the 25th. So l texted the home mgr. immediately saying I will be out daily to check on her. The next day. They picked her up from work she had no color. They never called me about anything that concerned her my daughter. They did not call 911 for 10 minutes by the time my phone rang it was 13 minutes before she had received any Ems services by that time she was already dead!!! Why in the world did they not call me?? And take her or call for life flight immediately???

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My brother was murdered in Nov. 2014. The murder has pleaded guilty and is set to be sentenced in 11/3/2016. Can my niece and nephews file a wrongful suit against him??

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My fiance died the night before he was to be released from a federal prison in NY....They believe it was a blood clot in leg that caused him to go into cardiac arrest but autopsy is still pending at 4months out. From the hospital account he was brought into the hospital in close to death condition with severe respitory distress. The prison account was that he went into a respitory distress situation and they then took him to hospital....He was dead within 2 hours after being taken to hospital. My fiance had been complaining to myself on phone calls and through prison email to a friend that he had put in medical slips for shortness of breath and unexplained ankle pain and was not being seen...He was distressed because it had been going on for several weeks and he was not feeling good and very short of breath. I would like to know if this is a potential case due to neglect in care until near death?.....The prison is not saying much and his belongings have been lost and have been running into blocks all the way around...I was his emergency contact and they did not even notify me until after he died....the hospital never called me at all about organ donation or to advise anything...just a call from warden after death....I was with the man many years and we were to be married a month ago...I am devastated so any help or advise would be appreciated...Thank you for your time.

Posted by

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If my own death is Imminent because of negligence from a Hospital, (left something in me that now cannot be removed and will cause my death soon! why can't I sue now!

Posted by

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hi my mitchell i have a case i live in york pa my mom got hit by a drump truck 6 years ago iam currently going to jury trail march 7th an i feel my attorney is not doing his job right with my case. i dont understand how my mom gets killed while crossing in cross walk an tge only want to pay out 75,000 after i pay lawey fee's an hospital bills an split money with 2 brothers we walk away with 7,000$ that was truely a slap in the face. my question is to you is can i hire another attorney to make sure my lawyer is doing the best for me. i was told 6 years ago i had a millon dollar case??

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My husband had a liver transplant in 2002 and while in the hospital he got Mursa and almost dies. Was in the hospital for 7 wks. He finally got to feeling better somewhat. Then in March of 2015 he developed Bladder Cancer. While in the hospital he came down with C-diff an infection of the bowels. Apparently the caretakers there were not very careful about cleaning their hands. In Sept of 2015 he passed away. It was our 55th wedding anniversary that day. I Have a lawsuit pending for the drug company Takida that makes Actos which he had taken for 6yrs for diabetes. Should I sue the hospital from which he developed the C-diff?

Posted by

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My mother was put in an acute repiratory acidosis position due to hospital negligence and was subsequently put to death by a lethal dose morphine against her Durable Power of Attorney's knowledge or consent. I am seeking an Attorney.

Posted by

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I tried to commit suicide because of husband torture along with my one year child by jumping into a canal, unfortunately I was rescued by locals but my child could not be saved. The police booked me under 302,309. What should I do now.

Posted by

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MY SON WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER AND WAS KILLED INSTANTLY IT WAS THE DRIVER,S SECOND DUI IN 28 DAYS THEY CHARGED HIM WITH DUI , HIT AND RUN AND SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND THEN GIVE HIM A BAIL, HE HAD INSURANCE BUT BECAUSE THE STATE HAS THAT NO FAULT ,I CAN NOT CLAIM ON BEHALF OF MY SON FOR WRONGFUL DEATH.

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Alabama Law-Stepfather has 2 children and 1 child with my mother.Stepfather dies wrongful death asbestos, mother and he files right before death,he is asked who he wants to inherit,says wife ,my mother. Over 2 yrs. 30 or more companies settle . Over yrs. mother has given monies to stepchildren and myself and majority to their child .she bought home for sister and gave me $50,000 toward home and more also gave monies to stepchildren .Now sister has home her name with 2-3 mortgage mother paying note . Willed mothers home that was mothers and father at his death . Home that belonged to grandmother now,once was left to spouse, my mother , who gave to her stepchildren then they sold it , then mother bought back and moved in disabled brother and deeded to him . Condo valued $350,000 mother . half sister, myself equal owners . Annuities value around $600,000 .Half sister says her dad died not mine she should get all but will allow third condo and whatever is left of annuities because sister is going through it will DUI lawyers fines,2nd mortgage , debits, vehicle ,etc.2 stepchildren and half sister move away and leave me here with mom .What is my rights? At mothers death she would have 3 properties 1 with mortgage , half condo ,with mortgage half annuities . See will allow me to have half condo ,with mortgage and half annuities .Icing on cake ...I manage condo so it will make money so my mother pays me !0% ! $40,000 yr. I make a $4,000 windfall . I make repairs , upgrade ,advertise ,reservations .....and my sister lets me because it is half hers after all ! Kinda sounds like that old fairy tale ...Wicked stepmother and stepsisters so be my fairy godmother and help me out ! Another kicker My ex-husband a lawyer specializing in asbestos claims ,referred them to Baron and Budd in Dallas and gave up his 7% fee to my mother(sister)! One more thing , he was concerned , thought law with wrongful death , half divided children , half spouse ,stepchildren not included ? Not his client anymore left it to Barron and Budd . Hope you can make this out,its been 17 yrs. sister going through it fast needs guidance . 2 Million approx. Thank You !

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My father was admitted to the hospital in November of 2013 where they found out he had mutiple bloodclots in his legs. They started him on blood thinner treatments and then in July of 2014, his blood doctor stopped his treament of blood thinners. In October of 2014, my Father suddenly passed away a few hours after he woke up; but when he woke up that morning, he was responsive and talking to me. Then a hour later, I had to call the ambulance because he took a drastic turn. When I got his autopsy back, it said my father died because of mutiple bloodclots that had traveled up to his lungs.

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My father was riding his motor scooter to work. He was struck by a motorist and killed on impact. The driver admitted to his faults. What has caused my sister and I more pain is that he was killed on our mother's birthday. She passed 6 months before my father died.

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