Wrongful Death Covers Many Situations

Pittsburgh, PAWrongful death lawsuits can be filed in many situations involving countless circumstances and situations. What they all have in common is that the victim's death was preventable and was caused by the actions of a different party (a person or organization) who acted improperly. A wrongful death lawsuit can involve negligent actions by the responsible party or it can involve intentional acts.

Recently, a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the surviving family of a man and daughter who died from carbon monoxide poisoning. They died when gas from a disconnected water heater pipe entered the hotel room they were staying in. The hotel room did not have a carbon monoxide detector. The lawsuit, which seeks both actual and punitive damages, alleges the hotel and other defendants were negligent because they knew about problems with the water heater, but did not inspect and maintain it.

In another case, the family of two people who died when the car they were in was hit by an intoxicated driver has filed wrongful death lawsuits against two bars that allegedly served the driver that night. The driver also died in the accident. The plaintiffs claim that the driver had a blood alcohol level of between .169 and .204, more than two times the legal limit.

In a third case, a man filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a medical center, alleging that staff did not properly care for his wife when she went the center with severe pain and constipation. She died when her colon burst after allegedly not receiving adequate medical care. The lawsuit seeks a minimum of $50,000.

The family of a different woman who died after being admitted to a medical center has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor that treated her. The woman was admitted with anterior chest pain three days after being admitted to the hospital. The lawsuit, which seeks in excess of $50,000, alleges the doctor committed multiple wrongful acts including carelessly and negligently administering Heparin and failing to discontinue anti-coagulation.

The family of a man who was killed after using a Bank of America ATM has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against numerous defendants. The lawsuit claims that the bank failed to provide adequate lighting and security around the ATM. The victim was killed during an attempted robbery as he tried to leave the ATM. The lawsuit names the bank, the land's owner, and the two assailants as defendants.

A jury returned a $4 million wrongful death verdict against a physician who was accused of incorrectly treating a patient. The plaintiffs alleged that their mother went to the hospital with abdominal problems and tests showed she had a life-threatening bowel condition. Although her condition required surgery for treatment, the doctor treated the patient with only fluids and antibiotics before leaving her. She died the following morning.

Sometimes, a loved one dies not because of natural causes but because of someone else's negligent actions. In such cases, the family of the deceased may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or organization whose actions resulted in the death.