Schlesinger Law Offices

ealing with the death of a loved one is tremendously difficult, even when the death occurs due to natural causes. When a death happens due to the negligent or intentional actions of another person, though, the pain and suffering are dramatically multiplied. If you are the loved one of somebody who has suffered from a wrongful death, it is imperative to protect your rights. The best way to do that is by hiring experienced and reputable wrongful death attorneys. Your deceased loved one can no longer stand up for himself, but that doesn't mean that those who are responsible for his death are off the hook.

What is a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death is one that has been caused by the willful or negligent actions of another person. In other words, it could have been caused intentionally by a person who meant to cause harm; it could also have been caused by a person's recklessness and carelessness. Willful or intentional wrongful deaths result from things like physical altercations. Negligent or unintentional wrongful deaths happen when a person shows no regard for the safety and well-being of others; for example, a drunk driver who causes the death of another motorist may be sued for wrongful death. A qualified wrongful death attorney can help prosecute the case for the best possible results.

Who Can Seek Damages?

People are often confused about who is allowed to seek damages in the event of a wrongful death. One reason why this is such a gray area is because the answer varies from state to state. This is precisely why the first step should always be to search for reputable wrongful death attorneys. It is difficult for a layperson to make heads or tails of the laws and statutes surrounding wrongful death cases, and it's all too easy for an inexperienced person to make serious mistakes that could jeopardize their case. Qualified wrongful death attorneys make sure that these cases are brought by the appropriate individuals.

The Benefits of Hiring Wrongful Death Attorneys

Experienced wrongful death attorneys can do a lot to help, including:

Making sure that your rights and the rights of your loved one are protected;

helping you navigate through the complex legal procedures that are typically involved in these cases;

getting you the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled; and

interpreting convoluted legal documents and preparing the appropriate paperwork on your behalf.

Anyone who wants to bring forward a successful wrongful death case needs to have a competent and qualified wrongful death attorney by his side. Those who go without wrongful death attorneys are the ones who get smaller settlements and unsuccessful conclusions.

Why it Matters

Wrongful death cases are about more than just obtaining compensation for the deaths of loved ones. They are designed to hold negligent people accountable for their actions. Without the ability to sue for wrongful death, people would have no legal recourse when their loved ones were killed due to the misconduct or negligence of others. Wrongful death attorneys understand the complex considerations that need to be made when pursuing these cases. Their goals are twofold: to make sure that you receive the most compensation possible and to ensure that those who cause these deaths are held responsible in courts of law. It really is as simple as that.

Whether your loved one lost his life due to the recklessness of a drunk driver or because of a doctor's negligence, it is vital to seek legal recourse for their death. Wrongful death attorneys are here to help you seek compensation for those who caused the untimely death of your loved one. The swiftest, easiest way to receive compensation for a loved one's wrongful death is by having the right legal counsel on your side. Nothing can take the place of an experienced and skilled wrongful death attorney. Don't get stuck spinning your tires; hire a top-quality wrongful death attorney today.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The University of Central Florida's football coach testified Thursday that he did not see a football player under stress during a spring training practice before he collapsed and died.

Coach George O'Leary also said no one ordered water or trainers out of the fieldhouse.

Two UCF football players have testified that O'Leary ordered all water and trainers off the field. Nineteen-year-old Ereck Plancher fell, gasped for breath, could not respond verbally and was unable to stand on his own before he was carried off the field after the practice ended.

Attorneys for Plancher's parents say the UCF Athletics Association is responsible for their son's death. They filed a lawsuit seeking punitive damages and are trying to prove that coaches pushed him excessively at the practice despite knowing he had sickle cell trait.

Attorneys for the UCFAA say that Plancher died from a congenital heart defect and no one could have prevented his death. O'Leary and UCF officials deny having any culpability in Plancher's death.

O'Leary said he knew Plancher had sickle cell trait and described the March 18, 2008 workout as "non-taxing."

An autopsy found that Plancher died from complications of sickle cell trait, a condition that causes blood cells to become misshapen and disrupt the body's vascular system when it's put under extreme stress.

Also Thursday, Mary Vander Heiden, head trainer, testified via a video deposition that she could not say with certainty that she told Plancher he tested positive for sickle cell trait. Attorneys for the Plancher family say Ereck Plancher was never informed about the condition or counseled about the complications associated with sickle cell trait.

Vander Heiden was in her office when Plancher collapsed and assistant trainer Robbie Jackson was on the field. The head trainer said she told Jackson about the diagnosis and was shocked to hear Jackson said in a deposition that he did not know Plancher had sickle cell trait. The plaintiffs claim that UCFAA did not follow proper medical protocol for a sickle cell athlete in distress.

Vander Heiden said that when an athlete shows signs of sickling they should be pulled from the exercise, given fluids and oxygen and a call should be made to 911. It is the trainer's responsibility to see that the protocol is followed, she said.

Plancher was never pulled from the activity but Jackson gave him water outside the fieldhouse after he was carried to a bench by teammates. Oxygen was available but never administered. A coach called for her assistance. She called 911 after Plancher showed a slow and weak heart rate. Paramedics arrived about three minutes later, she said.