The grief that a family experiences in losing a loved one in a wrongful death incident cannot be expressed in words. The very unexpected and sudden nature of such accidents makes the loss all the more challenging and even financially debilitating in some cases when a family loses their sole wage earner.
A www.cleveland.com article discusses a wrongful death incident that began over an argument about fireworks. Apparently, a neighbor shot a gun in retaliation and out of anger at five people, killing three. This would typically seem more like a criminal court case; however, the family of the deceased victims also filed a wrongful death claim in civil court proceedings.
As a result of the suit, the family received a $2.8 million award. However, the family says that the lawsuit was never about the money, but more about the principle behind it and teaching the man who opened fire that murdering 3 people is wrong. Despite the lawsuit, the man, who represented himself, still offered the defense that his victims were at “contributory fault,” or partly responsible for the murders he committed.
While the $2.8 million settlement award will never bring the deceased individuals back, it does set the example that individuals can be held accountable for the wrongful deaths of the individuals whom they harm.
Wrongful death accidents caused by another person’s negligence often involve several complex legal issues that require a skilled wrongful death attorney to efficiently handle. The Oklahoma wrongful death attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have a successful track record in wrongful death litigation and know what it takes to achieve results for our clients. Whether you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s reckless behavior or negligence in an auto accident, trucking collision, nursing home abuse, or another incident, please call the Maples Law Firm at (405) 705-5050 for a free consultation.
