What to Know About Wrongful Death Claims Against Companies

In Utah, a company can be held liable for a death caused by its own negligence or the negligence of its employees. These cases often involve corporate insurers, internal records, and multiple decision-makers, which can make them more complex than claims against an individual. Reach out to a Salt Lake City wrongful death lawyer for legal help if a loved one has passed due to an accident.

When Can a Business Be Held Responsible for a Death in Utah?

Utah’s wrongful death statute, Utah Code Ann. § 78B-3-106, allows surviving family members to file a lawsuit when a death is caused by another party’s wrongful act or neglect. Businesses can be held accountable under this law just like individuals do.

A company may be held responsible in two main ways:

• Through its employees: Under a legal rule called vicarious liability, a company is usually responsible for careless acts that its employees commit while doing their jobs.
• Through its own decisions: A company can be directly liable for negligent hiring, poor training, unsafe policies, skipped maintenance, selling a dangerous product, or any other practice that leads to a wrongful death.

One exception applies when the victim worked for the company and died in a workplace accident. In most of those cases, Utah’s workers’ compensation system provides death benefits and prevents families from suing the employer. However, your family may still have a claim against other companies involved, such as equipment manufacturers or outside contractors.

Common Situations Where Corporate Negligence Turns Fatal

Businesses make decisions every day that affect public safety. When those decisions put profits or convenience ahead of safety, the results can be deadly. Fatal corporate negligence often arises from:

• Commercial truck and delivery vehicle crashes
• Defective vehicles, medications, or consumer products
• Dangerous conditions at stores, hotels, or apartment complexes
• Inadequate security at businesses or parking areas
• Abuse or neglect in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Construction site and industrial accidents
• Gas leaks and explosions
• Exposure to toxic chemicals

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against a Company in Utah?

In Utah, the heirs of the deceased person have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a company. Heirs include a surviving spouse, children, parents, stepchildren under 18 who were financially dependent on the deceased, and other relatives who would inherit under Utah’s intestate succession laws.

The personal representative of the deceased’s estate may also file a wrongful death lawsuit on the heirs’ behalf. This person is usually named in the deceased’s will. If the deceased did not leave a will behind, the court can appoint a personal representative on their behalf.

What Damages Can Surviving Family Members Recover?

By filing a wrongful death lawsuit, survivors can recover compensation for:

• Medical bills from the final injury or illness
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost wages and benefits that the deceased would have earned
• Loss of the possibility of inheritance
• Loss of affection, counsel, and advice

Holding a Salt Lake City Company Accountable for Your Loss

Companies facing a wrongful death claim usually have insurers and legal teams working to limit what they pay. Your family deserves someone working just as hard on your side. At We Win Injury Law, our injury lawyers in Salt Lake City investigate how a company’s decisions led to your loved one’s death, gather the records needed to prove it, and pursue the compensation Utah law allows. Contact our attorneys to discuss your family’s situation and learn what steps may come next.