Common situations that may be considered wrongful death include: Vehicle accidents when someone acted unlawfully, such as driving drunk through a red light and causing a fatal crash. Medical malpractice when a doctor did not follow a reasonable standard of care, such as a surgeon causing a fatal infection by leaving a sponge in a body cavity. Defective products that caused death, even when used properly or where manufacturers failed to provide warnings. Property liability accidents such as fatal falls that occurred because an owner failed to maintain the property in a safe manner or warn of danger.