As wrongful death attorneys, we see these devastating  cases, and do our best to recover compensation for the survivors. This article will reveal some of the most notable wrongful death cases in U.S. history, involving well-known celebrities and companies.

I am sure you all have heard of the wrongful death lawsuit against O.J. Simpson, for the death of his wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ron, in 1993 in California. The surviving family members of both victims filed a wrongful death civil court suit. The judgment for compensatory damages was worth over $33.5 million. Later, a jury reduced this to a $25 Million award. This same jury did find OJ Simpson liable for both deaths. However, between OJ’s poor finances and his ongoing appeals, both families have received almost no funds from the wrongful death judgment.

In the 1970’s, Ford Motor Company was sued for the lives lost because of their unsafe design of their Pinto model car. When struck from behind, the Pinto, with it’s rear mounted gasoline tank, easily ruptured, even in minor collisions, causing fire to ignite, and the deaths of many drivers. Many of these accidents resulted in explosions. Most of these wrongful death claims were settled without court time. A memo written by a Ford Motor Company executive indicated that the company was egregious enough to place a $200,000 value on a human life – this was exposed during one trial. The executive wanted to avoid correcting the design problem, and felt that $200,00 per life (per family) would make the problem go away. It came to light that he looked at this as “the cost of doing business”.

Ultimately, the Pinto model was extinguished from the Ford Motor Company, and was recalled by the company.

Another famous wrongful death lawsuit involves a name we all know. Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, in August of 2010, filed a lawsuit against Michael’s doctor for an overdose of the anesthesia, Propofol. Dr. Murray, Michael’s physician at the time, was treating Michael for chronic insomnia.

Large amounts of Propofol were found in Michael’s system when an autopsy was performed. Propofol is not a sleeping aid, and not approved, as such. Joe Jackson’s case against Dr. Murray was unsuccessful in gaining compensation, because the doctor had no assets to cover a substantial payout. However, Dr. Murray was found guilty in a criminal court, and is now serving time for the death of Michael Jackson.

Still another wrongful death case involving a famous person happened in 2006, when CNN and Nancy Grace, their talk show host, were sued by the family of Melissa Ducket. This wrongful death lawsuit claimed that the Nancy Grace television show was responsible for Ducket’s death. She had committed suicide after being confronted and questioned by Grace on her talk show.

Melissa Ducket’s son was missing. Nancy Grace aggressively questioned the young mother, and insinuated that Melissa killed her son, although no formal charges had been brought against Melissa regarding the disappearance of her son. Before the pre-recorded show aired, Melissa Ducket took her own life.

The family settled the case for $200,000, claiming that Nancy Grace caused intentional emotional distress and that her accusatory insinuations presented to Melissa that she killed her missing son, and knew of his whereabouts, caused the young woman to take her life.

More recently, in February 2014, Esteban Loaiza, a former major league baseball player, lost his wife, Jenni, in a small plane crash. He filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the aircraft owner, whose plane, upon crashing, resulted in eight deaths. This case has not yet been resolved.