This is one of the most heartbreaking and unimaginable situations any parent could ever face. When a child dies because of someone else’s carelessness, reckless actions, or intentional wrongdoing, it is called a “wrongful death.” The Child & Birth Injury Lawyers handle these cases with immense compassion and dedication.
- What It Is: A legal claim brought by the parents or guardians of a child who has passed away. It seeks to hold the person, company, or organization responsible for the child’s death accountable. It’s about seeking justice for a life cut tragically short.
- Causes: A wrongful death claim can arise from any of the severe accidents and injuries we’ve already discussed. When the injury is so severe, or the negligence so profound, it can lead to the ultimate tragedy. This includes:
- Fatal Traffic Accidents: Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents (ages 1-19 years) in the U.S. Distracted driving, speeding, or drunk driving often lead to these devastating outcomes.
- Drowning Incidents:Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children aged 1-4 years. Unfenced pools, inadequate supervision, or faulty pool drains can lead to these silent tragedies.
- Firearm Injuries: Sadly, firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and adolescents (ages 1-19) in the U.S. Many accidental shootings by children are due to unsecured guns.
- Severe Product Defects: When dangerous products, like unstable furniture or defective toys, cause fatal injuries. Furniture tip-overs cause a child’s death about every two weeks.
- Catastrophic Burns: Severe burns, especially third-degree burns, can be fatal. Tragically, around 300 children aged 0-19 die from burns each year.
- Medical Malpractice:Mistakes by doctors, nurses, or hospitals (like a missed diagnosis or medication error) can lead to a child’s death.
- Child Abuse or Neglect: When intentional harm or severe neglect leads to a child’s fatality. In 2022, an estimated 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect in the U.S.
- Statistics: More than 12,000 children die from unintentional injuries each year in the U.S. Each one of these is a wrongful death caused by preventable circumstances. The specific causes vary by age, but all are tragic losses due to someone else’s fault.
- Long-Term Impact: The loss of a child is the most unimaginable pain a parent can endure. While no amount of money can ever bring back a child, a wrongful death claim seeks to hold the responsible parties accountable. It can provide financial support for immense losses like funeral expenses, medical bills incurred before death, the profound emotional suffering and grief of the family, and compensation for the loss of your child’s companionship, comfort, and future contributions to the family. Our experienced team handles these heartbreaking cases with immense compassion and fierce dedication.
If your child has passed away due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, please know that you do not have to face this alone. Call our child injury team today for a confidential consultation. We are here to fight for justice for your precious child.
