Though the incident happened in 2016, it has taken a while for this case to reach the trial stage. You may remember when Richard Sepolio, now 27, was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol after his truck lost control on a transition ramp, flew over a guardrail, and landed in a park where hundreds of people were gathered. Four people were killed because of the impact.
The District Attorney said that Sepolio, a Naval aviation electrician, was intoxicated and was traveling 87 mph at the time of the crash and possibly on the phone with his girlfriend at the time of the crash.
- Allegedly drunk, speeding, and distracted.
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we know that this case shows how unpredictable life can be. There is no way that the people gathered that day could have known that a vehicle would come slamming into them. While we do not know what the outcome of this case will be, we hope it brings some closure to the families affected. Today, we want to talk about some of the ways in which wrongful death cases arise. If you need a San Diego wrongful death attorney, call us today.
A Nightmare
You may have heard the term “wrongful death” before, so let us briefly explain what that means.
Wrongful death cases arise when a person is killed as a result of the negligence or wrongful act of another person or even a company. This can include employers, government agencies, and more.
As we saw in the story above, there is a criminal case ongoing to determine whether or not the man is guilty of killing those four people. There may very well end up being wrongful death cases as well. These cases can be brought even if there is no criminal case or if a person is found not guilty criminally.
Here are some examples of common ways these cases arise:
- Law enforcement encounter: If an officer uses excessive force or unnecessary deadly force, they could be held liable.
- Medical malpractice: Medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the US.
- Defective products: If a product was poorly designed, damaged in the manufacturing process, or improperly labeled, the company responsible could face liability.
- Workplace accidents: If an employer is negligent in their duty to keep employees safe, they should be held responsible.
- Vehicle accidents: Like the story above, drunk and distracted drivers are common causes of fatalities.
What You Can Do
Stop for a minute and think about what you need for you and your family. You need to focus on healing from your loss, but you also need compensation for all of the expenses that are piling up. Let us help.
Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve after a tragic incident. This can include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future income and benefits
- Pain and suffering damages
- Punitive damages
If you are looking for a San Diego wrongful death attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling at our office
.