Gabby Petito was on a cross-country road trip with her fiance, Brian Laundrie in the Western United States. Gabby’s family reported her missing on the 11th of September after Brian Laundrie returned home to North Port, Florida on the 1st of September without the 22 year old Ms. Petito.
According to Gabby’s stepfather Jim Schmidt, she met Brian at Bayport-Blue Point High School on Long Island. Gabby Petito, the eldest of six siblings have been working hard as a pharmacy technician to save money for her cross-country road trip, which was supposed to be from the beginning of July till the end of October.
Gabby Petito’s personal Instagram blog has a bio that says, “along for the ride”, “traveling the world in our tiny van”. The last time she mentioned Brian Laundrie in an Instagram post was on the 19th of August where she supposedly told him, “almost immediately after telling @bizzare_design_ how happy it made me to see that people were truly respectful of the park, I watched some guy leave his processed pre-packaged plastic conglomerate of lunch garbage on the picnic table?”.
Autopsy scheduled for likely body of Gaby Petito
According to the Teton County Coroner’s Office, an autopsy for the body believed to be of Gabby Petito has been scheduled for Tuesday, 21st of September 2021.
FBI says that the remains were discovered at the Grand Teton National Park on Sunday, 19th of September has not been 100% positively identified to be Gabby Petito, and the investigation is still ongoing.
that a team of more than 50 people searched a nearby reserve for any clues into the disappearance of Brian Laundrie, who has been named a person of interest in the Gabby Petito investigation.
Police said Laundrie’s parents directed them to the Carlton Reserve, after saying he visited the location. Sunday’s search ended and police posted that there was nothing new to report.
The search for Laundrie is expected to intensify after authorities in Wyoming announced the discovery of a body that appeared to be Petito.
An autopsy will have to be performed to make a 100% determination. Her father took to Twitter shortly after the discovery and posted a broken heart emoji, and wrote, “She touched the world. The post was accompanied by a picture of his daughter smiling and in front of oversized angel wings. The North Port Police said it will continue to work with its partners in its search for “more answers.”
Related: Wrong Death Lawyers
Types Of Wrongful Death Accidents
Many different types of accidents and actions can lead to a wrongful death:
Truck Accidents
Big-wheelers are massive modes of transportation that can cause devastating injuries or death during collisions or other major roadway accidents. Many truck drivers are bound by federal regulations when licensed to operate such large machinery, which includes their allowable hours of service and monitoring the weights of their loads, and required vehicle maintenance. If an investigation proves a truck driver has failed to maintain their log or fallen asleep because they have driven over the allowable number of hours, or any number of other violations, including violations related to drugs or alcohol, maintenance, fitness for duty issues, etc., this could be cause to file a wrongful death claim.
Car Accidents
There is no dispute car collisions have led to fatal accidents. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, a deadly crash occurred on South Carolina roadways every 9.5 hours in 2017. If a loved one’s death is caused by a driver who is intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or otherwise acting in a reckless manner, such as texting while driving, you may be entitled to compensation for punitive damages as well under the wrongful death statute.
Motorcycle Accidents
Wrongful Death: Motorcycle accidents can be devastating. Because these motorists are without metal barriers or protection, being hit by a large vehicle or tractor-trailer could cause catastrophic injuries. These motorists may also be run over by larger vehicles after being involved in an initial accident that disables the motorcycle in a roadway.
Bicycle Accidents and Pedestrian Accidents
Wrongful Death: Bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents are often fatal. Downtown Columbia is filled with people riding bicycles, mopeds, and scooters. Many pedestrians walk the streets of Columbia as they head to and from the parking garage, leave their offices to obtain a bite to eat or exercise with walks through the beautiful city area. As with the accidents mentioned above, any type of negligence or reckless or willful collision resulting in the death of a loved one can constitute the need for a wrongful death claim.
Boating Accidents
Wrongful Death: With the many lakes in South Carolina, the likelihood of an accident involving boats is great. As with vehicles, accidents can be caused by other boaters or with a malfunction with the boat when it has not been well maintained. A driver can also be liable in the event they are operating while intoxicated or failing to provide a proper lookout for other boaters. If a fatal accident has been caused by another boater or there is a concern that there was a defect with the boat itself, you may be entitled to compensation.
Workplace Injuries
Wrongful Death: There are many jobs and professions that are dangerous to perform. Even in positions where the environment provides little danger, many different injuries can happen at work. Especially in careers that require the use of heavy machinery and strenuous activity (like climbing up poles or onto roofs), injuries on the job can be severe and fatal. Construction sites can be particularly dangerous and are often controlled by a number of different people. You might be entitled to more than the benefits provided under worker’s compensation if a loved one was killed while on the job. Contact the Strom Law Firm today to let us evaluate whether any third party may also be responsible.
Product Liability
Wrongful Death: We do not want to believe that products can be unsafe, but sometimes things can go awry in the manufacturing process or with the information the company provides or fails to provide. This could include a part being defective or a drug being mislabeled. If you believe a loved one may have died from the result of a bad product, you may be entitled to compensation under the wrongful death statute.
Drug Defects
Wrongful Death: Many medications are put on the shelves before much is known on the effects of taking the drug. This could include situations where a medicine has been linked to cancer, or someone has died from a condition caused by the medication. An improperly labeled drug that caused the death of a loved one could constitute a wrongful death claim.
Medical Malpractice
Wrongful Death: Because there is a multitude of risks in medical settings, medical professionals are held to specific standards and levels of care. These standards apply to many types of medical professionals and other practitioners, such as nurses and therapists. If you feel a loved one may have been a victim of medical malpractice or has died as a result of a lack of care or actions that are below the necessary standard of care, you may be entitled to compensation under the wrongful death statute.
Damages Available In A Wrongful Death Action
There are different damages available in a wrongful death action.
Economic Damages
Wrongful Death Attorney: This would include medical costs from ambulatory bills, to physician costs, to emergency room costs. There could be additional medical costs if your loved one lived for a few hours or days after the incident. Funeral expenses to include burial expenses, cremation expenses, and a coffin or urn, can also be recovered. Any time missed from work may also be compensated where it relates to the medical attention and care of the loved one prior to death, funeral and arrangements, or other post-death matters to attend. You may even be entitled to lost wages you will no longer receive due to the death of a loved one.
Non-economic Damages
Wrongful Death Attorney: These damages include those that do not have a price tag. With medical expenses and other economic damages, there is an out-of-pocket loss that can easily be calculated. Yet with non-economic damages, there is no set amount for the loss that has been suffered.
- Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, which would encompass the at-fault party paying for the loss of a loved one that was caused by a negligent or willful act of harm.
- Losing the companionship of a loved one can be compensable as the family left behind will no longer be able to have that relationship with the loved one.
- The same is true for the death of spouses – you can be compensated for the inability to have a physical, meaningful relationship since the death of the loved one.
- These damages could also include a child that will no longer have parental guidance from the loved one as they navigate through life and could constitute additional compensation.
Punitive Damages
When the death of a loved one is caused by grossly negligent or reckless conduct, punitive damages can come into play.
You can be entitled to punitive damages when this gross negligence and intentional harm is proven as a role in the death of your loved one. These damages are used for punishment or deterrent to the defendant and others in similar situations to ensure this does not happen to another employee.
Let Us Work Through Your Case
Wrongful Death Attorney: Many believe they will be able to get the situation behind them quickly by communicating and negotiating with the insurance company. This is not in the best interest of you, the family or the lost loved one. Your only communication with an insurance company should be to report the initial claim. Anything after that step should be referred to your Columbia Wrongful Death Attorney.
We will strive to make sure that the insurance company has all of the information they need. We will investigate all of the matters, injuries, and other moving parts of the claim. If the proper settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, an action will be filed in the appropriate Columbia courthouse. Our Columbia Wrongful Death Attorneys strive for excellence and the ability to obtain the highest recovery possible in the case.
Call The Columbia Wrongful Death Attorney at the Strom Law Firm
If someone you know may have died as the result of someone else’s negligent or intentional conduct, call the Columbia Wrongful Death Attorney at the Strom Law Firm (803) 252-4800 to schedule a free consultation. Our offices in Columbia and Georgia are ready and willing to work through this emotionally draining time to provide you and your family with the experienced representation you deserve.
