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When a Loved One Doesn�t Make It Home

Each person is responsible for the choice they make during the course of their life. The consequences of some of these choices can be quite severe, and, sadly, some choices made by individuals or companies can result in wrongful death. When a loved one doesn�t make it home after being in an accident caused by the choices of another, the pain and suffering of those left behind can be traumatic and life-long. While an injury attorney can�t undo the circumstances of a traumatic loss, they can provide the essential help required to ensure the family is rightly compensated for their loss.

Author: Paige Donnelly
Date: Mar 7, 2012 - 6:03:02 PM

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Each person is responsible for the choice they make during the course of their life.  The consequences of some of these choices can be quite severe, and, sadly, some choices made by individuals or companies can result in wrongful death.  When a loved one doesn�t make it home after being in an accident caused by the choices of another, the pain and suffering of those left behind can be traumatic and life-long.  While an injury attorney can�t undo the circumstances of a traumatic loss, they can provide the essential help required to ensure the family is rightly compensated for their loss.

As safe as we would like to feel our work environment should be, working conditions can contribute to wrongful death.  Person employed in construction, mining or any other job that inherently contains high levels of potential hazards should be able to trust that the employer is making the workplace as safe as possible.  The employer is responsible for ensuring the equipment being used has been properly assembled, inspected, maintained and is free of dangerous defects, and that the environment the employees are working in is free from unnecessary hazards. If injury or wrongful death happens at the workplace an attorney who regularly works on cases related to injury and wrongful death should be contacted.  An injury lawyer or a wrongful death lawyer can provide the expertise required for the injured party or devastated family to navigate the confusing terrain of the legal system.

The most common ways for wrongful death to occur outside of the workplace include vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, defective products, and medical malpractice and medication errors.  While the list is somewhat diverse, it contains a common thread: negligence.  The list is by no means conclusive - if you suspect the death of someone you love might have been preventable or was caused by the negligence of another, learn about your rights by contacting a wrongful death attorney.

It is important to seek out the assistance of a wrongful death attorney as soon as you suspect the death of someone you loved was caused by the negligence of another. Evidence that is fresh, current, and as detailed as possible can go a long way in helping the case along.  Sometimes a case won�t have to go into litigation and can be settled without filing a lawsuit.

Once you have contacted a wrongful death attorney and before any litigation is pursued, they will initiate a full investigation of the case in order to gather as much information as possible regarding the facts and surrounding evidence involving the case.  During this investigative process you can best help the attorney by being as forthcoming as possible with any and all information you have that may be relevant to the case.  If the accident resulting in wrongful death occurred in the workplace make sure you have any and all contact information for the business and co-workers of the deceased.  If it�s a case of medical malpractice or a case of medication error, the name and contact information of the hospital, nursing home and attending medical staff (including doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, etc.) will help the attorney.

When the investigation is completed, you and your attorney will have decisions to make regarding how to proceed.  If the case can be settled out of court, there will be negotiations that end with full and fair compensation for the injured party.  If the case cannot be settled out of court, a lawsuit must be filed.  Regardless of the decisions you must make and the path taken in order to receive the compensation entitled to the injured party, a wrongful death attorney is there to help you through the process.

Paige Donnelly of St. Paul, MN specializes in Wrongful Death representation and other personal injury cases such as drunk driving accidents.

View all articles by Paige Donnelly

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