Before you consider consulting wrongful death lawyers in Rhode Island, you must first determine your relationship to the deceased individual. This is an important first step because only an individual’s personal representative can file a wrongful death claim. If you are a personal representative for someone who died as the result of negligence, you may be eligible to file a claim in the following situations.
Auto Accident
This is the most common type of wrongful death claim simply because traffic fatalities are so common in general. When another driver causes an accident that results in the death of your loved one, you may be able to sue for damages. This process will involve that the other driver acted negligently in some way, such as violating traffic laws.
Product Liability
You can also file a wrongful death claim if your loved one died as the result of a defective product. You must be able to show that the defect in the product caused the death of the individual through the intended use of the product. For example, a faulty wiring system in a hair dryer may have delivered a fatal electrical shock to the user.
Medical Malpractice
There are a few different types of medical malpractice, such as misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. When you consult wrongful death lawyers in Rhode Island, they will be able to determine if the caregiver or hospital staff acted negligently in caring for your loved one. If so, they can help you file your claim.
When a loved one dies in an accidental death, it’s important to consult an attorney quickly. There’s a brief time limit on how long you have to file a wrongful death claim, so you should get started as soon as possible.
