Informational only · Not a law firm
Situations where wrongful death questions usually start.
Most families don’t think in legal categories like “negligence” or “civil liability.” They think in real-world terms: a wreck on the highway, a hospital stay that went sideways, a workplace that never felt safe.
This page gathers some of the most common scenarios where people begin to wonder whether a wrongful death claim might exist. It’s not a complete list, and it’s not a verdict on your situation—it’s simply a map of where these questions tend to show up.
Nothing here is legal advice. Bereaved Rights is a national information resource, not a law firm. Only a lawyer licensed in your state can tell you how the law applies to your facts.
How to use this page
Start by finding the situation that feels closest to what happened to your loved one. It does not have to be a perfect match. Each category below will eventually link to a deeper guide with examples, key terms, and questions to ask a lawyer.
For now, think of this as a way to put a name to your experience and to realize that you’re not the only person asking these questions.
Common scenarios where wrongful death questions arise
Fatal car, truck, or motorcycle crash
Collisions involving another driver, commercial vehicle, drunk driving, or unsafe road conditions.
Medical care, hospital, or surgery
Questions about treatment decisions, delayed diagnosis, surgery complications, or hospital systems.
Nursing home or long-term care
Concerns about falls, infections, neglected medical needs, or unexplained injuries in care facilities.
Workplace, job site, or construction
Deaths connected to equipment, safety rules, contractors, or hazardous job conditions.
Property, business, or rental housing
Incidents on someone else’s property, such as unsafe stairs, fires, security failures, or dangerous conditions.
Product, vehicle, or medical device
Situations where a product, machine, or device may have been defective or unreasonably dangerous.
Crime, assault, or other violence
Deaths tied to criminal acts, where families may also have questions about civil claims or safety failures.
Government agency or police encounter
Encounters with law enforcement, jails, or other government agencies where someone did not come home.
If your situation doesn’t fit neatly into any of these boxes, that doesn’t mean there is no claim. Real life is messy, and legal categories often overlap. A brief conversation with a lawyer can help you sort out which rules might apply.
Where to go from here
Once you’ve found the situation that feels closest, the next step is usually to learn how your state handles wrongful death claims and to hear from a lawyer about how those rules might meet the facts of your case.
This site cannot represent you or give you legal advice. If you believe someone’s actions or decisions may have contributed to your loved one’s death, consider speaking with a licensed attorney in your state when you have the capacity to do so.