Grand Island Wrongful Death Lawyer
The unexpected loss of a loved one can be devastating on those closest to the departed. Family members, friends, and co-workers may all be impacted by the tragic loss of a person they knew and cared for.
Legally such a loss may be considered wrongful death. The legal definition of wrongful death is a claim against a negligent individual or party for the injury that led to the death of a loved one. A wrongful death claim may also be made against a person or party that failed to act thus leading to the death. For example, a claim may be made against a manufacturer who failed to disclose fatal side-effects of a dangerous drug.
According to the Center for Disease Control more than 2.46 million people in the United States passed away in 2010. Unintentional injuries were the sixth leading cause of such deaths. In Grand Island there were more than 570 deaths in 2011 according to the state Department of Health & Human Services, a 1.2 percent increase since 2010.
Each day accidents happen, some intentional and others due to negligence. Such situations can lead to non-life-threatening and life-threatening injuries with some proving fatal. If you or your family has lost a loved one due to another individual’s negligence, the family may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Our experienced Grand Island wrongful death attorney can help you determine if you may be eligible to make a claim, and if so, how to proceed.
Fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form to your right for a no-cost, no-obligation review of your Grand Island wrongful death claim – it’s strictly confidential.
Causes of Wrongful Death
In 2010 there were approximately 188 deaths related to motor vehicle accidents and an additional 173 related to falls. According to Grand Island statistics, on average, at least one resident will pass away each day whether due to natural causes, illness, or an unintentional fatal injury.
Some common causes of wrongful death include:
- Truck Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Slip and Falls
- Criminal Acts
- Car Collisions
- Airplane Accidents
- Dangerous Drugs
- Defective Products
- Workplace Accidents
In Grand Island the fifth leading cause of deaths was accidental injuries as well as the fifth leading cause of all deaths in Nebraska in 2010.
Who May File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Grieving for the loss of a loved one is often a long process and at Inkelaar Law we understand that many family members will be focused on getting through their loss first. However, contacting a Grand Island wrongful death attorney can help you and your family get the compensation you deserve. At Inkelaar Law we understand how devastating such a situation can be which is why we can help you fight for your rights while you deal with this difficult time.
In Nebraska the following persons may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim:
- Parents of Deceased
- Depending Children
- Spouse
- Other Financial Dependents
In Nebraska recent legislature also permitted a wrongful death claim to be filed for the loss of a child in gestation such as an airplane accident that caused the loss of an unborn child.
How Wrongful Death is Determined
The most important factor in proving wrongful death is that the person or party responsible acted negligently, intentionally or failed to act. Furthermore, it must be proven that the loss of the person resulted in compensatory damages.
Failure to act might include a doctor who failed to resuscitate a patient during a medical procedure or a driver at-fault failing to call for emergency services knowing the other party was seriously injured. As the causes of wrongful death are many, there are a number of persons who may be held responsible for wrongful death.
A wrongful death claim may be made against the following:
- A reckless driver
- A team of medical personnel
- An inexperienced pilot
- Defective drug manufacturers
- An establishment that provided alcohol to a clearly intoxicated driver
More than one person may be held liable for the wrongful death of another which is why a team of medical personnel may be held responsible. Additionally, a fatal collision accident claim may lead to a reckless driver being held accountable along with the engineer who designed a faulty road.
Contact our Grand Island Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
At Inkelaar Law we sympathize with those who have lost someone they love due to another individual’s inability to act with reasonable care. We are dedicated to helping victims of wrongful death fight for their right to fair and just compensation. We can help you determine if you have a case, and if so, how to proceed.
Our experienced Grand Island wrongful death attorneys are highly-skilled and well-versed in many areas of personal injury. We can provide comprehensive legal counsel on your specific claim and help guide you through the entire litigation process.
We are pleased to have offices in Lincoln and Omaha and proudly serve the surrounding areas, including:
- Columbus
- Freemont
- Hastings
- Kerney
- Lexington
…and many more local towns and cities. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss the merits of your claim. We can be reached at toll-free 1-877-537-4665 or locally at 402-488-2251. One of our intake staff members will connect you with one of our attorneys best suited in handling your claim after a few preliminary questions.
If you would prefer to contact us online, fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form at the top right-hand corner of this page – it’s 100% FREE to submit and completely confidential.