Nashville Wrongful Death Lawyer
Legal Claims After a Fatal Accident
Losing a loved one to an accident is devastating. After an unexpected loss, no family wants to endure an extensive legal battle or be forced to discuss the details of the accident. At Calhoun Law, PLC we understand the challenges faced by families that have lost a loved one. Our priority is to help you and your family get the security you need to begin the healing process. We are counselors and legal advocates focused on holding negligent individuals and entities accountable for this substantial loss you have endured. Contact our Nashville wrongful death lawyers today.
Wrongful Death Claims in Nashville
Wrongful death gives dependents, spouse and parents of the deceased the right to collect financial compensation for their losses. Medical expenses, funeral expenses, pain and suffering of victim, loss of companionship, and lost future wages are all calculable amounts that may entitle you to financial compensation for your losses. Do not settle without first consulting with an experienced Nashville wrongful death lawyer or you may lose your right to certain claims.
Causes of Wrongful Death in Tennessee
Medical malpractice is an all too common cause of wrongful death. In fact, researchers are just now starting to uncover the potentially tragic numbers of premature deaths that are caused by doctor, surgeon, and nurse error. A study published in the Journal of Patient Safety reported that there are between 210,000 and 440,000 expedited deaths every year due to medical malpractice. There are countless more accidents made that result in prolonged injuries and illnesses. While there were likely a number of preexisting injuries and illnesses that brought many of these patients into medical facilities in the first place, that does not excuse the actions of healthcare providers that did not treat their patients with the proper standard of care. If a loved one was lost due to medical malpractice, you and the surviving members of the deceased’s family may be able to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice.
The freeways, highways, and city surface streets of Nashville provide another major cause of wrongful death. In 2013 drunk drivers killed 277 people, accounting for 27.8 percent of all traffic fatalities in Tennessee. Other less extreme forms of recklessness and carelessness account for many other wrongful deaths. These include speeding, improper use of turn signals, swerving, failing to yield, and using electronic devices. In Tennessee it is illegal to text and drive, though it stops far too few from doing so. Sadly, 995 Tennesseans were killed in traffic collisions in 2013.
The tragedy of a family member dying is always difficult to grasp. For some bizarre and callous reason, we as a society tend to view fatal traffic accidents as a normal part of life, and that all parties involved in a tragic, fatal crash were knowingly weighing their chances on the roadways. However, when the victim was a walker, jogger, or other vulnerable road user such as a child riding their bike to school, the innocence, lack of their own roll cage of protection, and carelessness of the driver who killed them sometimes makes the death even more difficult to bare. In Tennessee, from 2003 to 2012, a total of 799 pedestrians have been killed. The trend is not going the right direction either, with walking becoming even more dangerous in recent years. There were 83 pedestrian fatalities in 2014, and 100 in 2015. Cyclists’ deaths doubled from 2014 to 2015, growing from five to 10.
Workplace fatalities can occur in any work type or environment and in 2014 there were 4,769 work-related fatalities in the U.S. While the most dangerous occupation is manual labor, accounting for 874 fatalities, the most common cause of death while on the job comes on the roadways. Transportation and product/material movement accounted for 28 percent of workplace fatalities in 2014. If you lost a loved one due to a workplace accident, you may be able to collect damages for loss of support, funeral costs, and loss of enjoyment of life. Contact one of our experienced Nashville wrongful death lawyers to discuss your legal options.
Intensive Wrongful Death Investigations in Nashville, Tennessee
After an accident, it is critical that an independent investigation is conducted on behalf of the victim. You want to collect and preserve all relevant evidence to determine the cause of the accident and identify all responsible individuals and entities. Our legal team has extensive experience, working with professionals, including medical experts, accident reconstructionists and accountants who can properly assess your claim. We will aggressively pursue your case so that you and your family have the security needed to move forward after a fatal accident. Let our Nashville wrongful death lawyers help. Call now at 615-250-8000 for a free consultation or contact us to speak directly with an experienced Tennessee wrongful death lawyer.
