Every unexpected or sudden death of a loved one feels wrong. When your loved one is taken away too soon, you want to hold someone accountable. As hard as that feeling is, there are only certain situations where you can take legal action to seek compensation from the person who caused your loved one’s death. This is known as a wrongful death lawsuit, and it is only possible when a death is caused by the negligent actions of a person who owed your loved one a duty of care. Our personal injury attorneys reveal typical defendants in Virginia wrongful death lawsuits.
Potential Wrongful Death Defendants
Wrongful death claims arise from accidents or intentional acts by people who should have taken reasonable steps to protect others. Defendants can be anyone from ordinary citizens to medical professionals or corporations. Typical defendants in these claims include:
Drivers
Many wrongful death claims arise from car and truck crashes. When one driver is found at fault in a crash that kills others, they could be sued for wrongful death to cover the losses suffered by surviving family members.
Property owners
If someone dies in a fire, fall, assault, or other accident on property owned by an entity that is found to be negligent in maintaining the property, survivors could file a premises liability wrongful death claim.
Doctors
When medical malpractice causes the death of a patient, the doctor, surgeon, nurse, or hospital that made the mistake could be held accountable in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Assailants
If your loved one was killed in an assault by another person, a wrongful death claim could hold the assailant liable for financial damages, whether or not they also face criminal charges for manslaughter or murder.
Manufacturers
If a defective product leads to the death of a family member, the manufacturer of the product could be sued for wrongful death in a product liability claim.
Wrongful death claims are difficult for everyone involved. It can be hard for survivors to come to terms with their right to file a claim, and they are not easy to win. However, with the MacDowell Law Group on your team, you can be sure you will be treated with the utmost compassion as we fight on your behalf to hold the liable party responsible for the loss of your loved one.
Has Your Loved One Died Due To The Negligence Of Others? Do You Need To Speak With A Wrongful Death Attorney?
If your loved one has died due to someone else's negligence you need to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Fairfax, Virginia personal injury law office at 703.277.2811 to schedule your free consultation. We help clients throughout Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia and look forward to helping you.
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