Death is inevitable, but sometimes the timing and circumstances of one’s death indicate that the death was prematurely caused by the actions or negligence of another party. In these cases, the death is often characterized as a “wrongful death” and Virginia residents are entitled by law to sue the responsible party.
A man who sued the medical provider of the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, and three nurses, for the wrongful death of his wife recently reached a settlement with the defendants. The damages award must remain confidential according to the terms of the agreement. The lawsuit was initiated after the man’s wife died while in custody at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.
The victim had been jailed for arriving at court to resolve a speeding with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. The woman died from choking on her plastic identification bracelet after she started shaking, hallucinating and sweating approximately three days after being jailed. Her husband claims the medical provider and its three nurses are responsible for her death due to their negligence in screening, treating and monitoring her while she was in custody. The three nurses involved have been the subject of disciplinary action before and have since been fired.
In cases like the one described above, the death of a loved one is accompanied by unnecessary pain and suffering and loss of companionship. In many cases, the deceased relative may have been the primary financial earner for the family, and the loss of that person’s income will be incredibly detrimental to the family. Additional costs incurred after the death include funeral and burial expenses. Surviving family members deserve to be compensated for all of these things, especially when the death was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Although it may be difficult to think about initiating a lawsuit soon after a loved one’s death, it is important to start the process quickly to avoid losing the right to pursue the case. An attorney can help explain the process and handle the details, which include gathering evidence of the defendant’s negligence and qualifying the plaintiff as an administrator of the deceased person’s estate.
Source: PilotOnline.com, “Settlement reached in woman’s Va. Beach jail death,” Kathy Adams, July 16, 2014