Elkridge Wrongful Death Lawyer

If a devastating accident killed someone you love, turning your world upside down, you could get justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Elkridge.

Any accident caused by negligence could cause a victim’s death in Elkridge. Car accidents are a top cause of wrongful deaths in Maryland since they happen so frequently. Medical malpractice, whether due to failure to diagnose or another breach of duty of care, could also cause a victim’s death. Determining the victim’s cause of death could also determine the filing deadline for your case. While the statute of limitations is generally three years, there are exceptions. For example, if your loved one died from an occupational disease, you might have longer to sue, depending on when you discovered the cause of their death.

Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras’ Elkridge wrongful death lawyers at (410) 694-7291 for a free case review.

Common Causes of Wrongful Deaths in Elkridge

A wrongful death is one caused by negligence. The top reasons for wrongful deaths in Elkridge include auto accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, workplace accidents, and falling accidents.

Car Accidents

In 2022 alone, there were 566 traffic accident fatalities in Maryland. While deaths happen during T-bone, head-on, and other typically serious accidents, they could happen in others as well. For example, a rear-end accident with a large truck could cause a victim’s death due to the sheer force of impact.

If someone you love died in an auto accident in Elkridge, our lawyers can check to see if the accident was reported to law enforcement. We can then get the incident report to see if it contains any details that could help your future wrongful death lawsuit.

Medical Malpractice

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many deaths from medical malpractice happen each year, as some families might not realize that is the cause of a victim’s death. For example, suppose a victim went to the hospital presenting with signs of an impending stroke, but medical professionals sent them home without seeing the signs. If the victim then had a stroke and died from that stroke, the medical professional who sent them home might be liable.

Unfortunately, families might not know a victim’s full medical history or whether or not they sought treatment before their death. If your loved one died due to medical complications and you suspect malpractice, our attorneys will need their medical records to confirm as much. We can then determine whether or not both the individual medical professional and the hospital that employs them share liability.

Defective Products

We use products and machinery every day that, if defective, could hurt us. For example, car defects could result in single-vehicle accidents that are just as deadly as multi-car accidents. Defective airbags or seat belts could endanger victims, resulting in serious injuries or death. Household items, like electrical devices, kitchen appliances, and even children’s toys, could cause severe injuries if defective.

When defective products hurt or kill victims in Elkridge, the manufacturers of those products might be liable. Product liability might arise in cases where you might not expect it. For example, suppose a victim died in a car accident caused by another negligent driver, but their airbag did not deploy. If, during accident reconstruction and when reviewing the victim’s medical records, our wrongful death lawyers determine that airbag deployment failure contributed to their death, their family might have a claim against the car manufacturer in Elkridge as well as the negligent driver.

Workplace Accidents

In 2022, there were 80 workplace fatalities in Maryland. Transportation incidents caused the most occupational deaths for the year, 23 in total. Violence and injuries caused by other people or animals accounted for 22 occupational deaths, while falls, slips, and trips accounted for 10.

When workplace accidents lead to death, our lawyers can investigate the matter further to confirm if a third party is liable. If so, we can help you file a wrongful death claim against them in Elkridge. If a third party is not liable, you or your family might be eligible for Workers’ Compensation death benefits.

Falling Accidents

Falling accidents could result in fatal head injuries and other deadly injuries, even when victims do not fall from great heights. For example, tripping on uneven pavement on a neighbor’s property could lead to death. Falling accidents are a somewhat common cause of occupational deaths, especially in the construction industry in Maryland. These accidents typically happen on someone else’s property due to negligent maintenance, making the property owner liable.

Statute of Limitations for Elkridge Wrongful Death Lawsuits

You only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit following a victim’s death. Learning the filing deadline for your case is paramount. If you miss it, you could miss your chance to hold the negligent party accountable.

Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-904(g)(1), claims must be filed within three years of a victim’s death unless an exception applies. For deaths from occupational diseases caused by exposure to toxic substances, the filing deadline is ten years from the victim’s death or three years from the date of discovery of the cause of their death, whichever comes sooner.

If you do not file your case on time, the court could bar you from suing or getting any damages whatsoever. To make sure this does not happen to you, our lawyers will first identify who among your family can bring a claim. In Maryland, a victim’s spouse, child, or parent can sue for wrongful death.

Once we confirm you are an eligible plaintiff in Elkridge, we can begin investigating the victim’s death to collect evidence and identify the liable party. Only after having prepared a strong claim will we file your lawsuit with the court in Maryland.

Call Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Elkridge Today

Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free case discussion with our wrongful death lawyers.