Wrongful Death Cases Around Coronavirus
As of the beginning of June 2020, the Orlando Sentinel reported 2,031 cases of coronavirus in Orange County, Florida with a total of 41 deaths. Nationwide the virus is a concern on most people’s minds. What happens if you or a family member gets sick from your workplace? What if you expect to get sick because your employer is not taking adequate precautionary measures? Worst case, what if your loved one, whose employment supported the family, dies from coronavirus that they contract while at work? If you have recently lost a loved one to coronavirus and believe that they could have avoided contracting the virus if better protections had been in place, it might be appropriate to file a wrongful death claim against their employer. A skilled personal injury attorney in the Orlando area can assess your case and help you take the necessary next steps.
Most Common Places COVID-19 Is Appearing In
- Hospitals;
- Nursing homes;
- Meatpacking factories;
- Prisons;
- Big box stores and grocery stores; and
- As the country re-opens, more workers will be vulnerable.
What Needs to Be Proven in a Wrongful Death Claim?
There will likely be a surge in coronavirus-related wrongful death claims across the country and lobbyists are working hard to limit such lawsuits by offering more protections to companies. However, companies will still have to do their part to ensure they are taking precautions to prevent the spread such as having employees wear masks, practicing social distancing, properly cleaning workspaces, having sick staff stay home from work, and more. If a company avoids taking precautions such as these, it will still be possible to file a wrongful death claim. For instance, CNBC reported that the family of a Walmart employee who died of coronavirus filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Illinois because Walmart allegedly failed to provide protective gear, inform employees of sick coworkers, clean the store, and enforce social distancing. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine whether your loved one’s workplace was negligent in protecting its workers and assist you in collecting evidence.
Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim
Nothing can bring your loved one back into this world, but compensation in a wrongful death case can ease your financial worries. For instance, your family member may have been the primary earner in the household and the rest of your family may not be financially capable of replacing what they earned before their death. Compensation also takes into consideration the following:
- Medical expenses;
- Pain and suffering of the victim;
- Loss of consortium;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress;
- Loss of support; and
- Funeral and burial expenses.
Payer Law Firm Can Help
If you recently lost a loved one due to coronavirus, you are probably still in a grieving stage and beginning a legal case may seem too daunting or overwhelming. The skilled Orlando wrongful death attorneys at the Payer Law understand how stressful this time is for you. We will answer all of your questions, take the workload away from you, and advocate to get you the best outcome possible for your wrongful death lawsuit. Contact us today at 407-307-2979 to learn more.
Resource:
orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-ne-coronavirus-monday-june-1-20200601-5emto2pcvvf2fidxvkor5fcy5a-story.html
cnbc.com/2020/04/06/coronavirus-walmart-employees-family-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit.html
/how-coronavirus-could-affect-your-traffic-injury-case/
