Well-Known Wrongful Death Settlements
There have been a number of well-known wrongful death settlements and verdicts that have been covered by major media outlets. Read about the O.J. Simpson, Nancy Grace, and Ford Pinto wrongful death cases.
Search
Find a lawyer near you
Browse
Browse for lawyers by specialty
Wrongful Death Articles
About Construction Accidents
By nature, construction sites are dangerous environments fraught with potential hazards
Jury Awards $15 Million for Death of Sisters in Enterprise Rental Car Crash
A jury in California has ordered Enterprise Rent-A-Car to pay $15 million to the parents of two sisters killed in the 2004 fiery crash of a rental car that was subject to a safety recall.
Louisville to Pay $835,000 for Death, Injuries Caused by Speeding Cop
The city of Louisville, Ky., will pay $835,000 as its share of a $1,335,500 settlement of a lawsuit over death and injuries caused by a Louisville Metro Police Officer speeding to work.
Preliminary Report Shows Motorcycle Deaths Down in 2009
Deaths due to motorcycle accidents in the United States may have been down by 10 percent nationally last year.
Family of Drowning Victim Awarded Almost $3.8 Million
The family of a nineteen-year old man who suffered fatal injuries in a hotel pool accident has been awarded almost $3.8 million. The victim drowned in the deep end of the pool and was unable to be found right away because the water was so dark and cloudy.
Multi-Million Dollar Settlement Awarded to Family of a Car Accident Victim
The family of a man who died from injuries sustained in a crash on Interstate 15 has been awarded almost $4.4 million in damages. A Utah jury found that the state department of transportation and a subcontractor assisting with bridge construction were partially responsible for the accident.
Chilton County Jury Awards $3.5 Million in Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A $3.5 million settlement has been awarded to the family of a man who was killed last January when his van was crushed between two logging trucks. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Ken Gorum trucking company and Gary Fruge, the driver of the logging truck who was responsible for the accident.
Settlement Reached in Collier County Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A Collier County judge has approved a $315,000 settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of a woman who was killed in a May 2009 automobile accident. A portion of the settlement will go directly to the 14-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter of the victim.
Settlement Reached Between Pioneer Drilling Co. and Family of Woman Killed in Tractor Trailer Accident
Pioneer Drilling Co. has agreed to pay $16 million to the family of a woman who was killed when her vehicle was crushed by equipment that fell off a tractor trailer driven by one of the company’s employees. The driver was not legally qualified to hold a commercial driver’s license.
Jury Awards $11.6 Million to Helicopter Crash Victims
A movie producer injured in a 2006 helicopter crash and the widow of a cameraman killed in the crash have received a combined $11.6 million in damages. A Polk County, Iowa jury awarded $4.2 to Tony Wilson for his injuries and $7.2 million to the wife of Robert Schlotzhauer in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Family of Bicyclist Killed by Police Offer to Receive $2.3 Million
The family of a man killed by a police officer will receive $2.3 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit. The man was riding a bicycle when he was struck and killed by a police offer who had fallen asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle.
Settlements Reached in Two Wrongful Death Lawsuits From 2006 Crash
The defendants in two wrongful death lawsuits have reached settlement agreements with attorneys representing the estates of the two victims killed in a 2006 motor vehicle accident. The estates of Norwood Peters and Betty Hein will receive a total of over $900,000 in damages.
Jury Requires Caltrans to Pay $6.3 Million in Damages for 2004 Car Crash
A California jury has determined that the California Department of Transportation is required to pay $6.3 million in damages in two wrongful death lawsuits and one personal injury lawsuit that were filed after 2004 car crash in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Two Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuits Settled Out of Court
Settlements have been awarded to a woman who suffered permanent injuries in a 2005 carbon monoxide leak and to the family of a man who died from exposure to the toxic fumes. The lead defendant in the case, New England Air Systems of Williston, was accused of failing to replace a faulty pipe that had been recalled in 1998.
King County Transit Agency Held Liable for Truck Driver’s Death
A settlement has been reached in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the King County Transit Agency. Officials have agreed to pay $1.5 million to family members of a man who was killed when a Seattle Metro bus hit his truck.
Fatal BART Shooting Leads to $50 Million Lawsuit
The family of a man who was shot and killed during an arrest by transit police early on New Year's Day has filed a civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit seeking $50 million. The death sparked protests in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Oakland Police Officer Fatally Shoots BART Passenger
Around 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a BART police officer fatally shot a passenger, 22-year-old Oscar Grant. Authorities are investigating the shooting as an act of unnecessary force.
Trampled Man's Family Sues Wal-Mart for Wrongful Death
The family of a temporary Wal-Mart worker who was trampled to death by shoppers on Black Friday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the retail chain.
1 Killed, 1 Injured in Massachusetts Construction Lift Collapse
A construction worker was killed and another seriously injured when a hydraulic lift platform became unstable and toppled to the ground on the campus of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in Waltham, Massachusetts.
4 Killed in Crash of Maryland Medical Helicopter
Four people died Sunday when an emergency medical-services helicopter crashed in suburban Washington, D.C while attempting to land after picking up two automobile accident victims.
Study Shows Traffic Fatality Numbers Spike on Election Day
A study which appears in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that more people die in traffic accidents on days when U.S. presidential elections are held.
More Than 90% of Nursing Homes Cited For Violations Last Year
According to a report issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 90 percent of American nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007.
Study Shows Increased Risks of Heart Disease, Stroke from COPD Drug Use
A paper published this week reports that drugs commonly prescribed for COPD were associated with increased risks of cardiovascular problems and stroke.
OSHA Issues $313,500 in Fines to Construction Firms over March Crane Collapse
OSHA has fined three construction firms a total of $313,500 for alleged safety violations leading to a March crane collapse which killed seven people.
Metrolink Spokeswoman Tyrrell Resigns in Wake of Criticism over Handling of Accident
The spokeswoman for rail agency Metrolink resigned after board members said her statements that the agency was responsible for Friday's commuter train crash were premature.
FDA Orders Stronger Warnings Be Placed on Four Popular Arthritis Drugs
The FDA today ordered that stronger warnings be placed on four widely used immunosuppressive drugs due to elevated risks of fungal infections.
New Study Shows Correlation Between Higher Gas Prices and Fewer Roadway Deaths
According to a new study by professors Michael Morrisey and David Grabowski, the rate of traffic fatalities in the U.S. falls as gas prices rise.
Mysterious New Mexico Death Solved By Viewing of Five Year-Old CSI Episode
New Mexico State Police have closed their case on a Texas man's death after determining he killed himself in a manner similar to that shown in an episode of CSI.
Federal Aviation Administration Passes New Rule Intended to Prevent Fuel Tank Explosions
12 years after TWA Flight 800 exploded off Long Island, killing 230, the FAA has passed a rule intended to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Common Injuries Caused by Product Liability
Each year, defective and dangerous products harm thousands of consumers, with injuries ranging from superficial lacerations to serious brain injuries and even death. Individuals and families whose lives are affected by injury resulting from the use of defective products may be eligible for significant compensation.
Proving Fault in a Wrongful Death Claim
In order for plaintiffs to obtain a favorable settlement or verdict for their lawsuits, their wrongful death attorney must prove that the negligent party was responsible for the accident or event that led to the fatality.
Wrongful Death Statistics
Thousands of fatalities resulting from auto accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and other events occur every year. Read wrongful death statistics and consult an attorney if you suspect you have a case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Certain family members are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their loved one in wrongful death cases. If you suspect you have a valid claim, it is important to speak with a wrongful death lawyer to find out if you a strong case.
Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
The families of victims of wrongful death can file lawsuits on behalf their loved ones. Those who file successful wrongful death lawsuits can be awarded compensation for the bills, lost wages, funeral costs, and mental anguish associated with the death.
Statutes of Limitations in Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful death statutes of limitations vary by circumstance and state; the statutes of limitations in wrongful death cases can be as short as one year, so it is always a good idea to consult an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you file your suit within the set time period.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
A wrongful death can be caused by a range of accidents or events; many wrongful death lawsuits involve the use of defective products, auto accidents, and medical malpractice.
Do I Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Filing a wrongful death properly and on time may help you obtain compensation for the bills, loss of wages, and emotional distress associated with the death of your loved one. Use LawyerShop's nationwide attorney directory to find a lawyer in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wrongful Death
Families who lose a loved one to wrongful death suffer incredible emotional anguish; hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit are probably the last things on their minds. Unfortunately, however, there are statutes of limitations in these cases. Speak to a lawyer who can guide you through the legal system.
Wrongful Death
Sadly, thousands of preventable wrongful deaths occur every year. The family of wrongful death victims can seek attorney help and file a lawsuit; find out how you can hold the responsible party accountable for the death of your loved one.
Car Accidents and Wrongful Death
Thousands of people are killed in car accidents every year; a car accident attorney can help the families of victims obtain compensation under wrongful death law.
Motorcycle Accidents and Wrongful Death
Because riders of motorcycles are more susceptible to injuries than passengers of cars and trucks, accidents involving motorcycles can result in wrongful death.
Manufacturer of Defective Defibrillator Hit with Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The family of an Orange, Texas, man recently filed a lawsuit claiming that a defective Guidant cardiac defibrillator implant led to his death.
Lloyds of London Settles Air Philippines Crash Suits for Record $165 Million
Insurers for AAR Parts Trading Inc. and Fleet Business Credit Corp. have agreed to pay $165 million to settle lawsuits brought by family members of 103 victims of the 2000 Air Philippines Flight 541 crash.
US, Chinese Governments Investigate Deadly Blood Thinner
The U.S. and Chinese governments have joined forces to determine why some patients who were given the drug heparin suffered severe adverse reactions, including nausea, breathing difficulties, and death.
Court OKs Wrongful Death Suit over Teen Shooting
The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the grandmother of a teenager who was fatally shot in the head as part of an alleged suicide pact can proceed.
Children of Construction Accident Victim Awarded More Than $50,000
The two children of a Missouri construction worker who died while working on a rail line will each be given $26,694 when they turn 18, according to a wrongful death lawsuit settled last month.
Family Sues Ford for Negligence in Fatal Crash
A Staten Island family is suing Ford Motor Company for a crash that killed a Boy Scout leader and his 9-year-old grandson, an accident the family's lawyer said could have been prevented with a few safety-boosting devices.
New Studies Link Heart Surgery Drug to Patient Deaths
Two new studies have shown that heart surgery patients who were given the anti-bleeding drug Trasylol were more likely to die than patients given other medications or none at all.
Family of Mesothelioma Victim Wins $30 Million Verdict
The family of a New Jersey man who died from a rare form of lung cancer was awarded $30.3 million on Tuesday by a jury in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Chemical Exposure Lawsuit against DuPont Gets Underway
A South East Texas jury is hearing testimony this week in a case brought against DuPont by the family members of a man who allegedly died as a result of being exposed to asbestos while working for the DuPont Company.
Settlement Reached with Sears Over Dangerous Stoves
Sears Holdings Corp. agreed yesterday to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by consumers who purchased stoves that later tipped over, causing scalding, burns, or death.
Window Washer Files Suit after Fall
After surviving a 47-story fall, a Manhattan window washer has filed suit against the companies responsible for the scaffolding that gave way and caused the accident.
Comair Lawsuit to Have an Earlier Trial
A liability lawsuit filed against Comair over a 2006 plane crash in Lexington, Kentucky, that killed 49 people will head to trial four months earlier than planned.
Widow Receives $1 Million Settlement in Plane Crash Lawsuit
The widow of a man who died with three others in a 2006 airplane crash in Stafford County, Virginia, has settled her lawsuit against the estate of the pilot for $1 million.
Driver of truck in fatal off-road accident sentenced to 30 days
The family of a Bakersfield man who was killed last year when the ATV he was riding in a popular California desert recreation area was hit by a truck was disgusted when a judge sentenced the driver of the truck to 30 days in jail.
Vioxx Maker to Pay $4.85 Billion Settlement
The maker of Vioxx announced Friday it will pay $4.85 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming that the drug caused stroke and heart failure in many users.
Tyson Foods Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million for Fatal Truck Wreck
Tyson Foods must pay $7 million in damages plus $1.5 million in interest stemming from a fatal 2004 traffic accident caused by one of its truck drivers, a judge has ruled.
Jury Selection Begins in New Jersey Truck Accident Trial
The jury trial of a New Jersey truck driver charged with criminal homicide for his role in a 2004 fatal traffic accident begins this week, officials said.
Homeland Security Committee Approves Cruise Ship Bill
The Homeland Security Committee earlier this month approved language in the Coast Guard Authorization Act requiring the government to be notified of cruise ship incidents involving passenger injury or death.
$3 Million-Plus Settlement Reached in Fatal Truck Accident Case
The relatives of seven people killed or injured in a 2004 truck accident in Sherman, Texas, have reached a settlement worth more than $3 million with the truck driver and his employer, an attorney said last week.
Jury Ready to Issue Verdict in Wrongful Death Case
A jury in Boca Raton, Florida, is expected to reconvene in court today to decide the outcome of a medical malpractice lawsuit filed by the husband of a woman who died shortly after childbirth.
$8 Million Awarded to California Man in Fatal Paintball Accident
In 2004, Mark and Colette Contois treated their son to an afternoon at a paintball park for his 10th birthday where Mrs. Contois was killed after a 14-year-old player accidentally detached a valve on his paintball gun, turning the weapon's CO2 cylinder into a gas-charged rocket that struck Mrs. Contois in the back of the head.
More Than $16 Million Awarded in Wrongful Death Case
A Superior Court jury in Connecticut awarded the settlement this week to the estate and widow of a Stamford man who died of a heart attack more than a decade ago.
Family May File Malpractice Suit in Case of Daughter's Death
The parents of a Pennsylvania college sophomore who died from meningococcal meningitis three days after being discharged from the hospital are pursuing a possible medical malpractice suit.
Hospital Denies Responsibility in Wrongful Death Case
A California couple is suing their health care provider for wrongful death and medical malpractice as a result of the death of two of their children.
Judge Mostly Clears Late WGN Radio Host of Fault for Plane Crash
An accident that claimed the lives of small aircraft pilot and radio host Bob Collins and two others has been ruled mostly the fault of an air traffic controller and the Federal Aviation Administration.
$225,000 Settlement Reached in Case of Woman Killed by Fire Truck
The city of Columbus, Ohio, has reached a tentative settlement worth $225,000 with the estate of a woman who was struck by a fire engine at a downtown crosswalk.
Georgia Supreme Court Considers Appeal in Exploding Gas Tank Case
The Georgia Supreme Court heard testimony on Monday from three sides in a lawsuit stemming from alleged faulty automobile equipment that led to the death of a Jackson County, Georgia, woman.
Taser Wrongful Death Suit Filed in Federal Court
A federal court will hear the wrongful death allegations brought by the mother of a man who died after Lafayette, Colorado, police subdued him with a Taser device.
New Lawsuits in Comair Crash
The sole survivor of last year's deadly Comair crash in Kentucky and the widow of flight captain Jeffrey Clay have filed suits against the Federal Aviation Administration, Blue Grass Airport, and a runway chart-making company.
Attorneys Say NTSB's Comair Crash Ruling Will Have No Bearing in Court
Lawyers for both the airline and victims' families say opinions of the National Transportation Safety Board have historically not been admissible as evidence in lawsuits.
Son's TASER Death Prompts Parents' $2 Million Lawsuit
The parents of an Arizona teen who died 11 hours after being subdued by police with a TASER device have begun legal proceedings against the city of Gilbert, seeking $2 million in damages.
Guidant Settles 4000 Claims to the Tune of $195 Million
In a July 14th out-of-court settlement, the Guidant division of Boston Scientific resolved 4000 claims stemming from the 2005 recall of its implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), avoiding a potentially large jury award.
OxyContin Maker, Executives Hit with $634.5 Million Fine
A federal judge Friday ordered the maker of OxyContin and three of the company's executives to pay $634.5 million for making false statements about OxyContin's potential for abuse.