Family members may have the right to seek compensation when a person dies due to another party’s negligence or wrongful act. In these cases, it is crucial to explore your legal options. For example, if you have lost a loved one in an accident, you may be interested in the following signs that indicate it may be time to speak with a wrongful death lawyer.
1- The Death Was Sudden or Unexpected
Sudden or unexpected death is a common reason people seek legal advice after losing a loved one. A medical error or car accident could lead to an individual’s sudden or unexpected end without warning. If this happens to someone close to you, there are steps you should take immediately after the tragedy.
2- The Death Occurred During Medical Treatment
If your loved one dies because of medical malpractice, you should seek legal advice immediately. Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical professional fails to follow accepted standards of care and, as a result, causes injury or death to the patient. Common examples include failing to perform necessary tests like X-rays or MRIs, prescribing the wrong medication for an illness or condition, or misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a disease.
3- The Death Was the Result of a Crime
If another person’s criminal act caused someone’s death, they might have grounds for a wrongful death claim. This is true even if the victim died at home rather than in a hospital or other professional setting. Crimes that may result in wrongful death claims include assault, battery, and rape.
4- You Suspect Negligence
The first sign that you may need legal help is if you think someone else’s actions or inaction contributed to your loved one’s death. If this happened because someone was drunk driving, speeding, or behaving negligently, they must be held accountable.
5- You are Being Blamed for the Accident
If someone else is blaming you for their loved one’s death and there is no evidence to back this up, it may be time to contact an attorney. If another party claims that you were at fault for their loved one’s death and they have no evidence to back up these claims, then it is likely that they will not succeed in court. However, speaking with a wrongful death lawyer may be worthwhile if any of these accusations are accurate or partially accurate.
6- The Death Was Caused by an Unsafe Product or Service
The manufacturer or seller was likely negligent if your loved one died because of an unsafe product or service. The company could have produced the product with known defects or failed to provide adequate safety instructions. In either case, they were legally responsible for the damages caused by their actions or inactions.
7- It’s Difficult to Determine Who is at Fault for the Death
Suppose your loved one died due to someone else’s negligence and carelessness, but it isn’t clear who was responsible for their actions or inaction. Speaking with a lawyer specializing in wrongful death cases may be helpful. They may be able to help you identify what caused your loved one’s death and whether anyone else is liable for it beyond simply being negligent in some way.
If a loved one has passed away, and you have reason to believe that the death occurred due to a negligent party, then it could be wise to speak with a wrongful death lawyer. If no action is taken against the person or company who caused your loved one’s death, they will continue this behavior.
