Wrongful Death Stemming From Spinal Cord and Brain Injuries in Dallas
Traumatic brain injuries kill approximately 52,000 people each year. While spinal cord injuries can result in immediate death, many victims will succumb to disease contributable to the original injury. A few of these secondary causes include:
- Septicemia (infections)
- Pneumonia
- Influenza
- Urinary system diseases
- Digestive diseases
When these deaths are the fault of someone’s direct action, an identifiable inaction, carelessness or negligence, it is a wrongful death. Under these circumstances, it becomes necessary to consult a Dallas spinal cord injury lawyer, such as those in the firm of Mitchell, Goff & Mitchell, LLP.
Wrongful death from spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries can subject a victim’s family to excessive financial hardships. There was a time when “wrongful death” claims were nonexistent. The belief was that, since the victim was deceased, there was no one to compensate. Fortunately, over time, individual States have drafted legislation allowing the families of victims to sue those responsible for the death of their loved ones. Usually the criteria for determining your necessity to retain a Dallas brain injury attorney are:
- A death caused by the conduct of another
- The other person was negligent or otherwise liable for the death
- There is a surviving spouse, children or other dependants of the victim
- The death resulted in monetary damages
Courts attribute wrongful deaths to many causes, such as:
- Motor vehicle accidents; especially trucks and commercial vehicles
- Slips and falls
- Many construction site and industrial accidents
In addition to compensating a victim’s family for monetary damages, a court may find a defendant liable for “punitive” damages. Usually, this is due to gross negligence or a particularly heinous act, on the part of the defendant. The purpose of these types of awards is to punish and attempt to deter similar behavior in the future. However, the most important concern is always to ensure the family’s financial well-being and peace of mind.
As is true of most personal injury cases, the victim’s family should immediately contact Mitchell, Goff & Mitchell, LLP. Many important aspects of such cases are time sensitive and require prompt attention. Once you become a client, you can take comfort in knowing we will handle your case with the respect and commitment you deserve. In all instances, you owe nothing until you have won your case.