Milwaukee Wrongful Death Attorney

Wrongful death lawsuits compensate family members for damages caused by their loved ones’ deaths. Multiple types of damages can be pursued. For example, a plaintiff can be compensated for the lost income the deceased person would have provided if they were still alive. Furthermore, surviving family members can recover payment for the loss of companionship they suffered because of a wrongful death. A wrongful death attorney can help explain which damages may be sought in your case.

In order for your wrongful death lawsuit to succeed, you must show that the death at issue was caused by another party’s negligent or intentional act. Several forms of evidence may be used to prove that a defendant is at fault. However, defendants are often represented by insurance companies that hire teams of people to dispute plaintiffs’ cases.

If your loved one suffered a wrongful death in Wisconsin, get help building your case. Reach out to our experienced Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys today by calling Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166. Our team will review your case for free.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Death in Wisconsin?

Wis. Stat. § 895.93 defines what constitutes a wrongful death in Wisconsin. A wrongful death is a death that is caused by another person’s “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” Simply put, a wrongful death is caused by another party’s negligent or intentional behavior. Accordingly, there are many potential sources of wrongful deaths. You can contact our Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys for help evaluating the strength of your potential case.

Common Sources of Wrongful Deaths in Wisconsin

Many different types of accidents regularly cause wrongful deaths. The following are common sources of wrongful deaths in Wisconsin:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are an especially common cause of wrongful deaths. Accidents that occur at high speeds and collisions involving larger vehicles are more prone to causing fatal harm. Fortunately, negligent drivers can be held liable for the deadly accidents they cause. Our Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys can help when filing a case against a careless motorist.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is another cause of many wrongful deaths in Wisconsin. Medical malpractice occurs when patients are injured because their healthcare professionals did not administer appropriate care. In a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff must prove that they suffered more than an unfavorable result from their treatment. For conduct to constitute medical malpractice, a doctor’s actions must deviate from the appropriate standards of care exhibited by other physicians in their field.

Accordingly, proving fault in a medical malpractice case can be complicated. Expert witness testimony is often necessary to support such a claim. The assistance of our experienced Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys can be highly valuable when seeking to prove that a death occurred because of medical malpractice.

Slip and Fall Accidents

While some slip and fall accidents can be minor, others can produce fatal injuries. Falls caused by dangerous conditions like wet floors, loose rugs, and narrow staircases can all cause catastrophic harm. Those with pre-existing injuries and senior citizens are especially prone to suffering severe injuries during a slip and fall.

Negligent property owners can be sued for slip and fall accidents caused by poor maintenance and upkeep of their premises. For example, an apartment owner may be held liable for a slip and fall caused by a broken handrail along their building’s public staircase. If your loved one suffered a fatal slip and fall, you can get in touch with our Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys for help reviewing your case.

Motorcycle Accidents

Furthermore, motorcycle accidents are a common cause of wrongful deaths in Wisconsin. Riders lack the same protection as those driving standard cars. Therefore, bikers can suffer especially serious types of harm when they are struck by careless motorists. In many cases, motorcycle accident injuries can be fatal.

Motorcycle collisions often occur because drivers fail to notice them on the roadway. For example, many motorcycle accidents happen because motorists commit improper lane changes or fail to yield the right-of-way when making a left turn. After a fatal motorcycle accident, the victim’s family should get in touch with our experienced Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys to help hold the at-fault driver responsible for the crash.

Pedestrian Accidents

Like motorcycle riders, pedestrians can also suffer fatal injuries when they are hit by negligent drivers. Crashes involving pedestrians often occur at intersections and in crowded urban areas. Many motorists strike pedestrians because they are speeding or distracted. After deadly pedestrian accidents, our team can offer guidance and support to victims’ families on their paths to recovery.

Construction Accidents

Lastly, wrongful deaths can also be caused by construction accidents. Construction workers usually perform tasks with powerful tools, from tall heights, or amongst dangerous machinery. Negligent conduct can lead to deadly accidents on construction sites. For example, a worker may suffer a fatal crush injury because cargo was dropped onto them by a crane with a faulty hoist. In that case, our attorneys could help bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the defective part’s manufacturer.

The path to compensation after a fatal construction accident can vary. Victims’ families can contact our Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys for help determining the appropriate next steps.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, multiple parties can file a wrongful death lawsuit. First, cases can be filed by the victim's personal representative. Personal representatives are individuals who have been selected to manage and control a deceased person’s property while the property is subject to administration.

Furthermore, wrongful death cases may also be filed by certain relatives of the deceased. The following is the order of surviving family members who may file a wrongful death lawsuit in Wisconsin:

• The victim’s domestic partner or spouse
• The victim’s children or grandchildren
• The victim’s parents
• The victim’s grandparents
• The victim’s siblings

A party mentioned later in the aforementioned list of family members can only bring a case to court if the parties mentioned before them are not living or able. Family members of wrongful death victims can contact our lawyers for help deciding how to proceed with their potential claims.

If You Need to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Wisconsin, Our Attorneys Can Help

If your loved one suffered a wrongful death, seek assistance from our experienced Wisconsin wrongful death attorneys by calling Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166 to review your case for free.