Racine Wrongful Death Attorney

There are few life incidents more painful than the unexpected death of a loved one. The tragedy is compounded when the death was the result of negligence. While we know that there is nothing that can replace a family member in your life, if the death was due to the negligent act of another person, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed. At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., our personal injury law firm has over 30 years of experience and a long record of successful cases in Wisconsin. Contact our Racine wrongful death attorneys to discuss what occurred so we can assist you in seeking justice and full compensation for your losses.

What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death lawsuits are brought against a person or entity that took actions which led to the untimely death of another person. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 895.03 defines wrongful death as a death that is caused by a “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” In a wrongful death case, the family of the deceased person asks the court to hold the person or entity financially responsible for the acts of negligence that led to the loss of life. In the state of Wisconsin, there are specific parties who, depending on the circumstances, have the right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit:

• Personal representative of the deceased’s estate
• The surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, parent, or other heirs

Causes of Wrongful Death

The US Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 146,000 people died from unintentional injuries in 2015. This is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. A wrongful death lawsuit may be filed in a wide range of fatal accidents.

Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits

The pain of losing a family member is even more difficult with the knowledge that the death could have been prevented. Wrongful death is a broad term that encompasses many different circumstances. Wrongful death lawsuits can be brought against another person or entity for:

• Car accidents. Reckless and distracted driving are on the rise due to cell phone use for talking or texting. Drivers who speed, drive drunk or drug intoxicated, who street race, or who engage in other negligent driving behavior can be held accountable through a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Medical Malpractice. Medical professionals have a duty to provide the appropriate standard of care. If a medical professional breaches this duty, it may be possible to file a wrongful death case to seek justice and compensation for your losses.
• Nursing Home Abuse. Nursing homes provide crucial care for our elderly relatives. We expect the professionals in these facilities to treat our vulnerable loved ones with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, neglect and abuse can lead to the untimely death of a loved one. In cases where it can be established that abuse or neglect resulted in death, a wrongful death lawsuit can be brought against the nursing home facility.
• Slip, trip, and fall. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure that visitors, employees, and customers on their property are not exposed to dangers. If your loved one was killed due to a slip, trip, or fall on the property of another person or entity, you have the right to seek compensatory damages in a wrongful death case.

Why Should You Hire an Wisconsin Wrongful Death Attorney?

If your loved one’s death was caused by the negligent actions of another party in Racine, we urge you to speak with us about pursuing a civil lawsuit to seek justice and compensation. Our Wisconsin wrongful death lawyers at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. have over 30 years of experience and have recovered over $1 billion in damages to date. We offer a free case evaluation and do not charge legal fees unless we are successful. Contact us today – there is a limited time period to file a wrongful death claim.