What are the common causes of wrongful death?

Wrongful death is a legal term used to describe a death caused by another person’s negligence or other wrongful act. In Pennsylvania, wrongful death lawsuits can be filed when a death is the result of another person’s negligence or misconduct. Common causes of wrongful death include medical malpractice, car and truck accidents, dangerous and defective products, failure to exercise due care, workplace accidents, and criminal acts. Medical malpractice is one of the most common causes of wrongful death in Pennsylvania. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide the proper standard of care and a patient suffers injury or death as a result. Medical malpractice can include failure to diagnose or treat a patient correctly, incorrect or inappropriate treatment, or improper prescription drugs. Car and truck accidents are another common cause of wrongful death in Pennsylvania. Such accidents are often caused by a driver’s negligence, such as speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or driving while distracted. Dangerous and defective products can also lead to wrongful death. When a manufacturer fails to warn a consumer of the potential dangers of a product, or a product is defectively designed or manufactured, it can lead to a wrongful death. Failure to exercise due care can also lead to wrongful death. This can include a property owner failing to maintain safe premises, or a business owner failing to maintain a safe working environment. Lastly, workplace accidents and criminal acts can lead to wrongful death in Pennsylvania. Unsafe working conditions, improper safety protocols, and negligence on the part of employers are some of the most common causes of workplace accidents. Criminal acts such as assault and murder are also a cause of wrongful death.

Related FAQs

Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if the death occurred in another state?
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What types of evidence are necessary to prove a wrongful death claim?
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