More In This Category
View Transcript
Wrongful death cases are broad in scope and are typically filed on behalf of the family, often children or a spouse. These cases seek compensation for the loss of the care, comfort, support, and society of the person who died.
In cases involving small children, the loss of a mother or father means that the children no longer have as much care and support as they would have otherwise received. Some of this loss is emotional, but much of it is practical. For example, going from a two-parent household to a one-parent household places an additional burden on the surviving parent.
In some cases, the deceased may have been a single parent, leaving the children orphaned. When children are orphaned, the focus shifts to how they will be cared for until they reach adulthood and ensuring they receive the same level of support and nurturing they would have received if their mother or father had not died due to malpractice.
Spouses may also be affected, particularly when they relied on the decedent for financial support. In cases where a surviving spouse cannot find sufficient financial support after the death of their husband or wife, the firm works to recover funds so that they can maintain a similar standard of living to what they would have had if their loved one had not died as a result of medical negligence. It is not the fault of the surviving spouse or children that their loved one’s death was caused by a doctor’s negligence.
San Francisco, CA medical malpractice attorney Nathaniel Leeds discusses who can bring a wrongful death suit. Wrongful death cases typically encompass a broad spectrum of circumstances, and they are often pursued on behalf of the surviving family members, commonly including children or a spouse. The essence of wrongful death cases lies in seeking compensation for the loss of care, comfort, support, and societal contributions provided by the deceased individual.
In situations involving small children, the impact of the loss is particularly profound. When a mother or father passes away, these children not only experience emotional upheaval but also face practical challenges. Transitioning from a two-parent household to a single-parent household places additional burdens on the surviving parent. This shift may necessitate increased responsibilities and support for the parent left to care for the children.
Tragically, there have been cases where single parents have succumbed to medical malpractice, leaving their children orphaned. In such instances, the primary concern becomes ensuring the proper care and support for these children until they reach adulthood. The objective is to guarantee that they receive the same level of care, nurturing, and support that they would have had if their parent had not suffered a wrongful death due to medical negligence.
Furthermore, wrongful death cases often involve situations where the surviving spouse may initially struggle to find substantial financial support, particularly if the deceased was the primary breadwinner. In such cases, legal action seeks to recover compensation so that the surviving spouse can maintain a comparable quality of life to what they would have had if their loved one had not tragically passed away due to a doctor’s negligence. Importantly, it is emphasized that these situations are not the fault of the surviving family members but are a consequence of the medical malpractice that led to the loss of their loved one.