When a person dies due to a negligent or intentional act by someone else, the law calls it a wrongful death. Kentucky law allows one year for a personal representative of a deceased person to file a civil lawsuit for money damages on behalf of the deceased’s estate and surviving family members. Here are a few common types of accidental deaths for which survivors seek advice from personal injury attorneys.

3 Categories of Accidents That Can Lead to Wrongful Death

1. Medical Malpractice

Medical service providers, such as doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, and hospitals, often commit negligent acts or do not take action according to their professional standards. In the United States, more than 250,000 people die each year due to medical errors, which equals about 10% of all of the deaths in the nation. 

2. Airplane Accidents

More than 500 people died in plane crashes during 2018. Plane crashes are rare, but when they occur, fatalities usually result. Aviation crashes can happen due to technical malfunctions, poor maintenance, or dangerous product design, making airlines and plane manufacturers liable for wrongful death damages.  

3.Automotive Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents claim people’s lives daily. At least 40,000 individuals died due to motor vehicle crashes in 2018. Reasons for such accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. In successful wrongful death claims, a surviving spouse and children or surviving parents can receive compensation, including for loss of care and support from the deceased. The estate can be paid for funeral and burial expenses and the reasonable costs of pursuing the claim, which includes attorney fees.

Pursuing a wrongful death claim involves complicated legal processes that must be started quickly and carried out correctly. Based in Elizabethtown, KY, Danny E. Darnall, Attorney at Law, offers area residents more than 40 years of experience as a skilled and compassionate personal injury lawyer representing clients in wrongful death cases. His goal is to obtain full compensation for you if you lose a loved one. Visit his website to learn more about his services, and call (270) 769-9179 to schedule a free consultation.