A wrongful death occurs when a person is killed due to the negligent or intentional actions of another party. While the grief over losing a loved one is immeasurable, a wrongful death lawsuit can help the surviving family members obtain some financial compensation. Consulting with experienced wrongful death lawyers can provide invaluable guidance, assisting families to understand their legal options.
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of wrongful deaths in the United States. According to data, around 38,000 people die in traffic collisions annually. Many of these accidents are due to preventable causes like distracted driving, drunk driving, reckless driving, and speeding.
Distracted driving alone accounted for over 3,000 deaths in recent years. Drivers engaging in phone calls, texting, using navigation apps, and other distractions take their attention away from the road and increase the risks of an accident. Strict enforcement of distracted driving laws and public awareness campaigns can potentially reduce these types of accidents.
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is another major factor in motor vehicle fatalities. Tough drunk driving laws with strict enforcement can help discourage intoxicated motorists. Additional red light and speed cameras at dangerous intersections may also improve public safety.
Speeding is also responsible for a high proportion of traffic fatalities. Aggressive and reckless driving behavior only increases risks on the road. Stricter speed limit enforcement and speed-reducing road engineering solutions could address this common cause.
Wrongful death lawyers experienced in litigating car accidents can help your family recover from the tragedy.
2. Medical Errors
Preventable medical errors are another prime source of wrongful deaths, resulting in around 250,000 fatalities each year in the U.S. alone. These medical mistakes include surgical errors, medication errors, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, inadequate follow-ups, and hospital-acquired infections.
Surgical errors can occur due to negligence, inadequate training, equipment malfunction, or poor communication between surgical teams. Hospitals need robust safety protocols and checklists to prevent such errors.
Medication errors also claim thousands of lives each year. Look-alike drug names, incorrect dosages, poor handwriting on prescriptions, and neglecting drug allergies are some reasons behind these mistakes. Automated systems for ordering and dispensing medications can help reduce errors.
3. Workplace Accidents
Thousands of employees lose their lives due to preventable accidents at work every year. However, work-related fatalities have decreased in recent times, with 5,283 fatal workplace injuries recorded in 2023, marking a 3.7% decline from 2022. Construction sites, industrial settings, and transportation incidents account for a majority of occupational wrongful death cases.
Construction industry hazards like falls, electrocutions, struck-bys, and trench collapses often turn fatal due to negligence. Construction companies must provide safety training, protective gear, and ensure proper site supervision and inspection.
Industrial accidents from unguarded machinery, confined spaces, chemical exposures, and fires/explosions also lead to worker fatalities each year. Strict occupational safety regulations and their enforcement can help bring these numbers down.
Negligence or inadequate safety protocols by employers often contribute to these tragic accidents. Holding companies liable encourages them to improve workplace safety.
By understanding the common causes of wrongful death accidents, people can take precautions to protect their loved ones. However, if negligence or misconduct by another party results in an untimely death, the victim’s family may consider a lawsuit with guidance from an experienced attorney.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
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