Wrongful Death
Awareness Day

Raising Awareness,
Providing Support

Providing support to families and loved ones who have lost someone in a wrongful death incident

February 17th

Wrongful Death Awareness Day provides an opportunity for lawyers, therapists, medical service professionals, and families of victims of wrongful death to raise awareness and give support to those impacted by tragic accidents.

Legally speaking, a wrongful death is a fatal accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence. This commonly results from car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and other catastrophic incidents that could have been avoided with due caution.

The Goal

The goal of Wrongful Death Awareness Day is to provide support to families and loved ones who have lost someone in a wrongful death incident.

Many times families struggle to support themselves, both financially and emotionally, after losing a loved one. This is especially true if the deceased was the primary earner of the household.

They simply do not know that there are services available to them to help them recover.

Ways to Participate

By combining compassion with expertise, personal injury lawyers, therapists, and medical service professionals can play a pivotal role in supporting families and raising awareness about wrongful deaths on Wrongful Death Awareness Day.

Here are a few ways that professionals and community members can participate through a combination of community engagement, education, and advocacy:

Host or Sponsor Events

Candlelight Vigils or Memorial Services: Organize an event to honor victims of wrongful death and support grieving families.

Fundraising Events: Partner with local charities or nonprofits to raise funds for families affected by wrongful deaths.

Create Educational Campaigns

Social Media Campaigns: Share stories of families affected by wrongful death (with consent), and post infographics about the rights and resources available. Use hashtags like #WrongfulDeathAwarenessDay.

Webinars and Panels: Host a virtual event discussing legal rights, the process of filing a wrongful death claim, and resources for emotional support.

Offer Pro Bono Services or Consultations

Provide free legal consultations to families considering wrongful death claims.

Partner with nonprofit organizations to assist families who may not have the means to seek justice otherwise.

Support Advocacy Efforts

Work with lawmakers to promote policies that prevent accidents or negligence leading to wrongful deaths.

Advocate for better support systems for grieving families, such as counseling and financial aid programs.

Engage with the Media

Publish op-eds or articles in local newspapers discussing the significance of Wrongful Death Awareness Day.

Appear on local radio or television to highlight stories of justice and offer legal insights.

Partner with Grief Support Organizations

Collaborate with grief counselors or organizations to host workshops or support groups.

Sponsor grief resources, such as books or online courses, for families in need.

Highlight Preventative Measures

Share safety tips and prevention strategies relevant to wrongful death scenarios, such as workplace safety, medical malpractice awareness, or traffic accident prevention.

Build a Memorial Initiative

Create a digital or physical memorial (e.g., a website or a park bench) to honor those lost to wrongful death.

Encourage families to share photos and memories as part of the memorial.

Foster Community Connections

Encourage networking among families through support circles, either in-person or virtual, creating a safe space to share experiences and find solace.

Wrongful Death Awareness Day History

Maison Law founded Wrongful Death Awareness Day after seeing so many survivors seeking funeral costs on GoFundMe. While these charitable endeavors are hosted by well-meaning relatives, they’re often missing out on significant resources that are already legally available to them.

The first wrongful death claim was made possible by the Fatal Accidents Act of 1846, also known as Lord Campbell’s Act, which was passed by the United Kingdom’s Parliament. This act allowed relatives of a deceased person to seek compensation for their loved one’s death.

In the United States, wrongful death statutes were enacted gradually by each state. These statutes provide a legal framework for families to recover damages when someone’s death was caused by negligent, reckless, or intentional actions.

In a wrongful death case, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s actions or inaction directly caused the death of their loved one. In a successful case, the money paid to the plaintiff is usually paid by an insurance company.