Losing a loved one is always a tragic and traumatic event, but if you discover that the death was the cause of somebody else’s negligence, the pain can be exacerbated. Trying to piece your life back together after such an incident can be difficult – not only are you trying to deal with the grief of losing your loved one, but you are also likely juggling lost income, medical bills and expenses, and the physical and emotional pain that comes with a loss. The last thing you will feel like doing is advocating – and that is why you will need a qualified, experienced attorney on hand to help you receive the compensation and justice that you deserve.

Our team will help you to regain control not only of your case but your wider life. We can take care of interviewing witnesses, investigating the scene of the accident, and working to ensure that you receive the settlement that you need to help you move forwards and start to rebuild your life. All you have to do is recover and take care of your loved ones – we will handle the rest.

What Are The Types of Wrongful Death Cases?

Your wrongful death case may involve one of a number of types of cases that can involve wrongful death, and these include:

• Car Accidents

Car accidents are amongst the most common causes for wrongful death, purely as a result of the sheer number of people who drive, and the number of cars on the road. In most cases, car accident fatalities occur as the result of the negligence of drivers, including recklessness, lack of care and attention, driving under the influence, or speeding. Fatalities can also arise as the result of issues with the road – if this is the case, you may be able to claim compensation from the relevant county or city.

• Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is another possible cause for wrongful death and is usually the result of corners being cut by medical personnel and professionals. Conditions can also be worsened by a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a condition altogether, or if an error occurs during surgery or treatment.

• Accidents In The Workplace

Though fatalities and wrongful death cases are more likely in high-risk occupations such as manual labor or construction, any workplace has the potential to be deadly with the wrong conditions in place. Accidents and issues usually occur if an employer places an employee in a dangerous situation – in this case, the employer is typically liable.

• Defective Products

When a product is sold to the public, one of the conditions is that the product is safe to use, as long as it is used in an intended manner. If a death occurs as the result of a defective product, the manufacturer can be held liable. Common examples include defective cars or vehicles, toxic medicines or foodstuffs, or products that are not tested properly.

• Semi-Truck Accidents

The sheer size and scales of semi-trucks means that when they are involved in an accident, the consequences have the potential to be catastrophic. In addition, the larger size of these vehicles means that accidents are also more common, and are usually the result of driving with a load that is an oversized or unsecured mechanical malfunction, or as the result of a problem with the driver, such as driving while tired or under the influence, overly aggressive driving, or losing control of the truck.

• Pedestrian Accidents

When pedestrians are involved in accidents, their lack of protection means that fatalities are sadly far more likely. Pedestrian accidents usually occur as the result of negligent drivers, though incidents that involve lack of visibility may be the fault of county or city councils.

Who Can Claim In A Wrongful Death Case?

One of the main differences between a personal injury and wrongful death case is that there is no direct party to receive any compensation in the latter. As a result, damages are awarded to the heirs or personal representatives – this may include the spouse, children, parents and stepchildren of the decedent, any blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were dependent financially on the decedent, and other personal representatives. Idaho differs slightly from other states in that damages are awarded directly to the plaintiffs who file the lawsuit.

Damages will be awarded for the loss of “care, comfort and society” of the decedent, and can be recovered for:

• Medical expenses incurred by the loved one
• Any funeral or burial costs
• Loss of financial support as a result of the death
• Loss of any household services

There are two main types of damages – economic and non-economic. The former refers to any damages that can be financially quantified, such as medical bills and expenses, while the latter refers to those damages that are not tangible, such as pain and suffering. In Idaho, non-economic damages will be capped at a total of $250,000 per family member. There are currently no caps for economic damages.

How Can We Help?

If you have lost a loved one as the result of a wrongful death, our team can help you to recover the damages that you are entitled to – get in touch today, and let us take care of the stress.