Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan
When medical professionals make preventable mistakes, the consequences can be devastating. If a doctor, nurse, hospital, or healthcare system failed to follow accepted standards of care—and your loved one died as a result—you may have a wrongful death claim under Michigan law.
At Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, we represent families who have lost a parent, spouse, child, or sibling due to medical negligence. We understand that no lawsuit can undo the loss. What it can do is provide accountability, answers, and financial stability during an unimaginably difficult time.
If your loved one died following an injury caused by negligence in Michigan, contact Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC at 616.278.0888 to learn more about compensation to which you and your family may be entitled to or fill out our free consultation form below.
What is a Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case?
A wrongful death medical malpractice case arises when a patient dies because a healthcare provider failed to act as a reasonably careful provider would have under similar circumstances.
These cases often involve:
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A missed or delayed diagnosis
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Failure to recognize a medical emergency
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Medication or anesthesia errors
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Surgical mistakes
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Inadequate monitoring or nursing care
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Failure to escalate care or consult specialists
Michigan law allows certain surviving family members to pursue a claim when negligence causes death.
Common Causes of Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death
We routinely see fatal outcomes caused by preventable errors, including:
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Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
Cancer, stroke, sepsis, heart attack, internal bleeding, or infection left untreated. -
Emergency room negligence
Delayed imaging, ignored symptoms, premature discharge, or failure to admit. -
Surgical and procedural errors
Wrong-site surgery, internal bleeding, organ damage, retained surgical items. -
Medication errors
Wrong drug, incorrect dosage, contraindicated medications, or dangerous interactions. -
Nursing negligence
Failure to monitor vital signs, report changes in condition, or follow physician orders. - Nursing home negligence
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Birth-related deaths
Fatal injuries to newborns or mothers caused by labor and delivery mismanagement.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Michigan?
Under Michigan law, a wrongful death claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate, for the benefit of surviving family members, which may include:
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Spouse
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Children
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Parents
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Grandparents
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Siblings
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Other heirs, depending on the family structure
If you are unsure who qualifies—or whether an estate has been opened—we can guide you through every step.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A successful wrongful death medical malpractice claim may include compensation for:
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Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
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Funeral and burial expenses
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Loss of financial support and benefits
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Loss of companionship, society, and guidance
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Conscious pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
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Emotional and economic losses suffered by surviving family members
To learn more about recoverable damages for wrongful death cases, read our Blog on Recoverable Damages in Michigan. Michigan places statutory caps on certain non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Read more about non-economic damages in Michigan at our latest blog, Navigating Noneconomic Damages. We carefully evaluate every category of damages to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Why Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Cases Are Different
Medical malpractice cases are among the most complex and aggressively defended civil cases in Michigan. Hospitals and insurers retain experienced defense firms and medical experts immediately.
These cases require:
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Detailed medical record analysis
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Qualified medical experts willing to testify
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Compliance with strict procedural rules (including notice requirements)
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Significant financial resources to litigate properly
We prepare every wrongful death case as if it will go to trial—because that is how meaningful accountability is achieved.
Wrongful Death FAQs
Why Choose Hoffer & Sheremet?
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Focused on complex medical cases, including obstetric, neonatal, ER, and wrongful death cases.
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Trial-ready: we build every case as if it will be tried.
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Systems approach: we look beyond the chart to find the upstream failure.
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Personal, transparent communication: you’ll always know where your case stands.
Free consultation: (616) 278-0888 • Message us through our secure form.