Most of us have suffered the loss of a friend or a relative. If the death has come unexpectedly or traumatically it can be even worse. However, if the death appears to be the result of negligence caused by by another person, the pain can be unbearable.
In the midst of making funeral arrangements and trying to adjust to the void left my our loved one, there's the unsettling undercurrent that this death should not have happened.
If the family agrees something should be done, after the funeral, do not wait too long to seek the expert advice of a personal injury lawyer. Select one who has had experience in wrongful death cases and go for an assessment.
A successful lawsuit can bring large monetary awards, sometimes in the millions of dollars. This is not an easy road to take. Even if the family members are convinced and committed, it is your legal counsel who can make the judgment call whether to proceed or not.
Perhaps you recall the complicated and convoluted trial of former football great, O.J. Simpson back in 1995. He went on trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. The event was lengthy and broadcast all across the nation. Ultimately Simpson was acquitted of the criminal charges.
The bereaved families did not agree with the verdict and sued Simpson in civil court for the wrongful deaths of Brown and Goldman. Two years later, in 1997, they won $33.5 million dollars. Simpson challenged the ruling and to this date the family says they have so far received little or no compensation.
Back in the 1970s, cute little Pinto sedans, were blowing up with regularity when involved in relatively minor rear end accidents. It was all due to their poorly designed gas tanks that sat too close to the rear of the vehicle. Ford Motors was bombarded with wrongful death lawsuits and held liable. The once-popular Pinto was eventually recalled.
When popular Canadian comedian Phil Hartman was killed by his wife, Brynn, who then killed herself, it was big news on television and talk shows around North America. Folks wondered what would cause a wife in a seemingly happy marriage to kill her husband. Brynn Hartman's brother thought it was odd too.
He wondered if the anti-depressant drug Zoloft might have had something to do with the tragedy. Mrs. Hartman had been using the drug to help her combat unpleasant panic attacks. The brother suggested that the drug that drove his sister to insanity. He then hired a lawyer who mounted a case of wrongful death on behalf of the family. He was successful and the manufacturer, Pfizer, settled for a large and undisclosed amount of money.
Nick Messe is the founder and president of Lead Frog LLC. For a free evaluation of your case and to find an experienced personal injury lawyer [http://www.injuryexperts.com] visit InjuryExperts.com - You will be contacted quickly by phone to schedule your free, confidential case review.
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