The death of a loved one can be one of the most challenging times of your life. However, handling your grief becomes even more difficult when the death is due to recklessness or negligence. A wrongful death claim can provide you compensation for your suffering. If your loved one suffered from one of the following incidents, you could have a wrongful death claim.

1. Car Accidents

It’s not uncommon for car accidents to result in fatalities. In 2016, there were 34,439 car accidents involving fatalities in the US. Although some of those accidents were due to uncontrollable circumstances, others were due to negligence or recklessness.

When another driver is to blame, there could be a wrongful death claim. It depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident. According to wrongful death law in Wyoming, the following incidents involving fatalities could result in wrongful death claims:

• Driving while distracted (such as texting and driving)
• Speeding
• Driving while tired
• Drunk driving
• Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light

2. Trucking Accidents

Although car accidents can be devastating, truck accidents are even more likely to result in fatalities. The large size of commercial trucks makes the possibility of fatalities more likely than than car accidents. In Wyoming, there were 20 fatalities caused by truck accidents in 2016.

When a truck accident occurs, the truck driver could bear the responsibility. Issues like driver error, driving under the influence, and driving while drowsy could result in a fatal mistake. Other issues include oversized loads, poor maintenance, and poorly secured loads. In any of those situations, there is potential for a wrongful death claim.

3. Malpractice

You put your life in the hands of a medical professional, and you trust them to keep you safe. When they violate that trust and cause a death, you could have a wrongful death claim.

About 10% of all US deaths are results of medical mistakes. Although there are safeguards in place to prevent medical negligence, the event still occurs. Misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and surgical errors can result in the death of a patient. Unfortunately for the victims, a lack of negligence could prevent those deaths.

There are many different types of medical malpractice. If you believe that the death of your loved one was a result of malpractice, you should speak with a wrongful death attorney in Wyoming. They can assess your case and determine whether or not you have a claim.

4. Workplace Fatalities

Your workplace might not be as safe as you think. In the US, workplace fatalities can occur. In some situations, those fatalities are due to employer negligence.

OSHA and other agencies have safeguards in place to prevent workplace fatalities. However, employers don’t always follow the regulations. Failing to do so can cause fatal falls, electrocutions, and other incidents.

If an employer does not protect their employee and the result is a death, there could be a wrongful death claim.

5. Defective Products

When you buy a product, you assume that it is safe. However, that’s not always the case. Some products are defective, and as a result, they are deadly.

Typically, this type of wrongful death claim involves issues like toxic food, defective children’s toys, and defective vehicles. A manufacturer is responsible for making sure their products are safe. If they aren’t, you could have a wrongful death claim. You can contact a Wyoming wrongful death lawyer for help.