What to Do When a Portland Slip and Fall Leads to Death

Slip and fall accidents often result in severe injuries, like brain damage, hip fractures, and spinal cord injury. In very severe cases, a slip and fall accident can be fatal. If you lost a loved one in a slip and fall accident, you may wonder what to do next.

If someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s injuries, you could pursue a Portland wrongful death lawsuit against him or her. In these situations, you need an attorney on your side who can help your family seek justice.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Multiple factors can contribute to slip and fall accidents. Inclement weather can make surfaces slippery and difficult to navigate. Wearing the wrong footwear, being distracted by a cell phone, and many other decisions may also lead to an accident.

However, many slip and fall accidents occur due to the negligence of another person, an entity, or even a government agency. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include the following.

• Wet and uneven floors
• Unsafe ladders and stairs
• Spilled liquids 
• Cluttered walkways
• Loose floorboards or carpet
• Stray cords and electrical wires
• Poor lighting conditions
• Potholes in parking lots
• Poorly designed or constructed infrastructure

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Slip and Fall

If you suspect that negligence caused a loved one’s fatal slip and fall accident, your family may qualify for legal action. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you could pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent individual or entity.

The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to compensate the deceased’s estate and surviving family members for the losses that resulted from his or her death. You can recover multiple types of damages in this claim, such as the following.

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses related to the final illness or injury
• The pain and suffering that the deceased experienced
• Loss of society, companionship, and services for the family
• Lost wages and benefits that the deceased would have earned

In Oregon, only certain individuals can pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased person. You must be named the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to pursue litigation. If your loved one did not name a personal representative in his or her will or did not leave this document behind, the court may appoint one on his or her behalf.

Why You Need a Portland Wrongful Death Attorney

Navigating a wrongful death lawsuit can be challenging, especially in cases involving slip and fall accidents. The at-fault party may claim that your loved one was partially responsible for the accident or that he or she did not have enough time to respond to the hazard. You will need to gather evidence, consult with experts, and calculate potential damages.

In these situations, you need an attorney on your side who can represent your family’s lawsuit and establish the at-fault party’s negligence. A Portland wrongful death attorney can guide you and your family through each stage of litigation and advocate aggressively for your right to justice.

As soon as possible following your loved one’s accident, contact a slip & fall attorney in Portland to discuss your family’s case and strategize your next steps.