Two main types of guardrails include those along roads, and rails in and around commercial buildings to prevent falls from rooftops, balconies and stairways. A wrongful death lawyer in Olympia, WA is familiar with the problem of defective or inadequate railings. Deteriorated or missing rails can lead to tragic incidents when someone falls from a height, or a car goes through a guardrail.
Compensation for Tangible and Intangible Factors
A wrongful death lawyer in Olympia, WA helps bereaved families acquire the compensation they deserve after a horrible accident happens. A broad range of financial considerations can be included in these cases. If the person was earning income for the family, replacement of lost future wages should be paid. All medical expenses and funeral costs should also be compensated. Intangible aspects are considered as well. Examples include loss of spousal companionship, loss of parenting, and emotional trauma.
Determining Who Is Liable
These cases tend to be complex, beginning with the need to determine who is primarily at fault for the accident. A guardrail along a highway, for instance, may have a defective design. In that case, the manufacturer is at fault. In other instances, the guardrail originally functioned as intended but has been left to deteriorate. No inspections, maintenance or repair work has occurred for years. In this situation, the governing body in charge may be held responsible.
With commercial and institutional building guardrails, manufacturers are liable when the design is inadequate for safety. Property owners and managers are responsible when they have failed to have the right types of railings installed or have not replaced damaged ones. Rails must be routinely inspected to make sure they have not loosened and that no part of the system has broken.
Concluding Thoughts
The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one in a guardrail accident is overwhelming. In addition to leaving the family with a burden of grief, there also will be many expenses involved. Families who have lost a loved one in this kind of incident may contact a law firm such as Putnam-Lieb-Potvin for a free consultation. Visit our website for contact information.
