Wrongful Death in Michigan

Wrongful death is the taking of a person's life as a result of negligent or willful actions of another. In the state of Michigan, the victim's immediate family can file a wrongful death claim against the person or company responsible for the wrongful death. In which case, they may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of future earnings, funeral expenses, pain and suffering by the victim, loss of companionship for the surviving spouse and in some cases punitive damages. If the victim was a child, the parents of the deceased are also entitled to damages as a result of their child's wrongful death. Some examples of wrongful death's are:

• A car accident, trucking accident or airplane accident
• Defective drugs or medication errors
• Defective automobile or tractor
• Faulty equipment or tools
• Deliberate murder or attack
• A death during a medical operation
• A death during the commission of another crime
• A property owner who fails to keep their property safe
• Any negligent or careless act of another that resulted in a wrongful death

Compensation for Damages

A wrongful death action can be made whether or not the defendant intentionally caused the death of another. If a person punched someone in the head in an altercation which resulted in the person dying, a wrongful death action can be brought against them. If a factory worker was killed due to faulty machinery, his family can sue for wrongful death. In 1997, O.J. Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The Superior Court in Santa Monica, CA ordered him to pay a total of $33.5 million in punitive and compensatory damages to the victim's families even though he was acquitted of their murders.

Legal Help

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to a wrongful death in Michigan, a wrongful death attorney at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman is here to help. At this troubling time, the last thing you want on your mind is insurance companies and learning the complex laws about wrongful death claims. You can assume that the insurance companies are more focused on the bottom line than getting you the compensation you and your family deserve. We are here to steer you through the legal system and help give you the greatest opportunity to get the best possible outcome for your wrongful death action.

Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer at our office today for a free consultation.