The NBA and Detroit Pistons were recently named in a wrongful death lawsuit following the death of Zeke Upshaw- an up and coming basketball player on the Piston’s G League team that suddenly collapsed during a game and died two days later from sudden heart failure. The NBA/Pistons wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Upshaw’s mom in Manhattan earlier this week.

The New York Post reports on the claims included in the NBA wrongful death lawsuit, “There is simply no good reason for the defendants to be unprepared for sudden cardiac events such as Zeke’s and for the failure to act quickly to save a life. Had properly trained medical professionals administered expeditious and proper treatment, Zeke would still be alive.”

Sport-related deaths happen at every level and often involve a failure to act on the part of the organization. While sometimes nothing can be done and the condition was unknown, other times the team, company or others could and should have taken action and it is the failure to act that these lawsuits look to explore. While no amount of money can ever bring a loved one back, it can help. Some areas of recovery in a wrongful death lawsuit include:

• Medical Bills: In the case of Zeke, he did not die immediately but spent two days in the hospital mounting bills that his family is now responsible for paying but this is something that is covered by a successful wrongful death lawsuit
• Funeral and Burial Expenses: Similar to medical bills, a grieving family often spends a lot of money burying a loved one that can run into tens of thousands of dollars that they can and should get back in a lawsuit.
• Missed earning capacity/financial support: when an avoidable death occurs, an individuals life is cut short and so is there ability to earn an income and provide for their family. This part of the potential settlement recovery can be substantial depending on the age and career of the individual. No doubt in this case against the Pistons and NBA, this will be an area where the family will argue for the loss of millions in potentials losses from a professional basketball career.
• Pain and suffering: A lot of Los Angeles wrongful death cases are actually two cases– a wrongful death case for the loss and a survival action filed on behalf of the deceased for the time between the fatal accident and their death. Within these suits is pain and suffering– which can also be a very substantial area of recovery depending on the specifics of the case.

Those are just a handful of examples of areas of recovery in a successful wrongful death case. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one and think you might have a case, we are here to help. We help victims of serious personal injuries and wrongful death throughout California. We are available 24/7- fill out our contact form now to get in touch.