What Are the Most Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases?

Posted in Wrongful death on September 28, 2022

Family members should be able to recover compensation if their loved one lost their life as a result of the negligent actions of another individual or entity in Tennessee. However, not every death that occurs will necessarily result in a viable wrongful death claim. Here, we want to examine some of the most common ways that wrongful death claims arise in Nashville, Tennessee.

Vehicle Accidents

Data available from the Tennessee Department of Transportation shows that there were 561 total fatal crashes across state roadways during the latest reporting year on file. Vehicle accidents include a number of types of incidents. Of course, this includes vehicle versus vehicle incidents, but also commercial truck accidents, bus accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Additionally, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities are also included in these figures.

Workplace Accidents

The workplace can be incredibly dangerous, particularly for certain types of jobs. Those who work in the construction industry or any type of manufacturing industry face higher risks of workplace accidents and fatalities. Additionally, those who work in transportation or any type of job near high-risk areas, such as the roadway, also face higher risks of workplace fatalities. Information from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shows that more than 5,300 individuals lost their lives due to on-the-job injuries during the latest reporting year across the country.

Defective Products

Defective products come in many forms, including items that we eat and drink, toys, electronics, vehicles, tools, cosmetics, medications, furniture, and more. Anytime a person uses or consumes that effective item, this will significantly increase their risk of injuries or a fatality. Typically, there are strict liability laws related to defective product claims, which means individuals or family members will not have to prove that the company or manufacturer was negligent. They will generally only have to show that the product was defective.

Medical Malpractice

Studies show that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death across the United States. Medical errors can occur in a wide variety of ways, including misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, failure to follow up with standard care, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and more. It is not just doctors and surgeons that can be held responsible for medical errors. Nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, dentists, chiropractors, and more can all be held responsible for these mistakes.

Premises Liability Incidents

Property owners have a duty to ensure that their premises are safe for any person who can legally be on the property. This includes business owners, government entity operators, and private residence owners. If a property owner or operator knows or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to remedy the situation or failed to warn guests of the hazard, they could be held responsible for any death that occurs.

Acts of Violence

Intentional acts of violence are not uncommon, and this can include assaults, stabbings, shootings, or any other action a person takes to intentionally inflict harm on another. Yes, individuals can be held criminally responsible for these incidents, but they can also be held responsible in civil court through a wrongful death claim.