Causes of Wrongful Death

Accidental and unintentional injuries that result in death can arise from a variety of sources. In many cases, neglect or human error is to blame. Some of the major causes of wrongful death include:

Car accidents – Car crashes are one of the major causes of accidental deaths. According to the 2006 Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 38,588 deaths were related to automobile accidents. The main causes of motor vehicle accidents are driver error and negligence. Nearly 39 percent of fatal crashes in the 2006 report involved alcohol.
Trucking or tractor trailer accidents – Trucking accidents are often linked to fatalities due to the tremendous size of the vehicles. Truck accidents may be caused by driver fatigue, lack of proper maintenance, aggressive driving and speeding. Ninety-eight percent of the fatalities in tractor trailer accidents occur to the people in passenger vehicles.
Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycles are often overlooked by other motor vehicle drivers. Since motorcycles offer little or no protection to the rider, motorcycle collisions may end in catastrophic injuries or death for the motorcyclist.
Slip and fall accidents – Dangerous premises can be a source of severe accidents. Falls in stores caused by wet floors, uneven or cracked surfaces, damaged stairs or hidden dangers can be deadly. Elderly and the physically impaired victims are more likely to suffer fatal injuries from a fall.
Workplace accidents – Employers are responsible for providing safe work environments. Work premises should be kept in good condition and free of hazards. Employees should be warned and educated of the risks involved in their jobs and should never be asked or ordered to take needless risks. Workplace deaths are common on labor and construction sites but they can also occur in office environments.
Medical malpractice – Death from medical malpractice may be linked to mistakes during surgery, a misdiagnosis, delayed care, negligence, and prescribing the wrong medicines. Human error is one of the leading causes of wrongful death involving a medical procedure. The mistake is not always the fault of the doctor – for example, nurses and other medical technicians may make errors in medicine dosage or equipment use. Manufacturers of medical devices and medicines have also been found at fault for developing and distributing faulty products.
Pharmaceuticals – Dangerous prescription drugs have been found to increase the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, depression and other serious complications that can lead to death. Some deaths linked to pharmaceutical products have resulted from incomplete or withheld information about side effects and risks. Other deaths have resulted from manufacturing mistakes that have allowed unknown ingredients and irregular dosages into the marketplace.
Nursing home abuse – Elder abuse is a recurring problem in nursing homes and often takes the form of neglect, direct physical abuse, or withholding of necessities such as medicine or food. Elderly abuse continues because many of the victims are too afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation or loss of human contact. Death can result in the most extreme instances.

If you have lost a loved one due to another's negligence or abuse, please contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. No amount of money can take the place of a lost loved one, but the compensation will allow you and your family to take care of the mounting expenses and may bring closure.
Personal injury and wrongful death cases are complex, with a variety of issues to consider. An attorney is best qualified to determine who is at fault and how to best prepare your case. Please consult our lawyer directory to find a skilled attorney in your state. Many attorneys offer a free first-time consultation. They’re only paid a fee if they win monetary compensation for you.