WRONGFUL DEATH CASE
INTAKE & ANALYSIS TOOL
A structured framework for evaluating wrongful death claims, identifying breach indicators, and analyzing causation across all healthcare settings.
Wrongful death cases require a precise, methodical approach. Attorneys must evaluate the circumstances leading to death, identify deviations from standards of care, and determine whether earlier intervention could have prevented the outcome.
This tool provides a comprehensive structure for intake, record review, breach analysis, causation mapping, and litigation strategy.
Use it during initial screening, expert preparation, and deposition planning.
INITIAL INTAKE & CASE OVERVIEW
✔ Collect Core Information
• Patient demographics
• Date and time of death
• Location (hospital, LTC, ALF, home health, hospice)
• Primary diagnosis
• Comorbidities
• Events leading to death
• Witness accounts
• Family concerns
✔ Identify Immediate Red Flags
• Sudden unexplained deterioration
• Delayed response to symptoms
• Missed assessments
• Medication errors
• Falls or injuries
• Infection or sepsis
• Delayed transfer or escalation
RECORDS REQUIRED FOR ANALYSIS
✔ Medical Records
• Admission assessments
• Daily notes
• Vitals
• Labs and imaging
• Medication administration records
• Provider orders
• Care plans
• Incident reports
• Transfer records
• Code blue documentation
• Death summary
✔ Supplemental Records
• Facility policies
• Staffing schedules
• Prior complaints or deficiencies
• EMS reports
• Autopsy report (if available)
• Family communication logs
TIMELINE OF DETERIORATION
✔ Build a Clear, Chronological Timeline
• Baseline condition
• Early symptoms
• Abnormal vitals
• Abnormal labs
• Provider notifications
• Interventions ordered
• Interventions performed
• Reassessments
• Escalation or transfer
• Time of death
✔ Identify Gaps
• Missing documentation
• Delayed assessments
• No follow‑up after abnormal findings
• Contradictory entries
BREACH ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK
✔ Compare Expected vs. Actual Care
• Required assessments
• Required monitoring
• Required interventions
• Required provider notifications
• Required escalation steps
• Required documentation
✔ Identify Deviations
• Missed or delayed assessments
• Abnormal vitals ignored
• No provider notification
• Delayed escalation
• Medication errors
• Incomplete documentation
• Policy violations
CAUSATION ANALYSIS
✔ Key Causation Questions
• Would timely intervention have prevented deterioration?
• Was the harm foreseeable?
• Did delays contribute to death?
• Were red‑flag symptoms ignored?
• Did the breach accelerate decline?
✔ Evidence to Support Causation
• Timeline excerpts
• Abnormal labs or vitals
• Missed interventions
• Documentation gaps
• Expert opinion alignment
CODE BLUE / RESUSCITATION REVIEW
✔ Required Elements
• Time code was called
• Response time
• Interventions performed
• Medication administration
• Airway management
• Rhythm analysis
• Termination of efforts
• Provider involvement
✔ Identify Failures
• Delayed response
• Missing documentation
• Incomplete interventions
• No provider present
• Contradictory accounts
FAMILY COMMUNICATION & DISCLOSURE
✔ Required Communication
• Notification of deterioration
• Notification of death
• Explanation of events
• Documentation of conversations
✔ Identify Failures
• Delayed notification
• Incomplete or inaccurate information
• No documentation of communication
SYSTEMIC CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
✔ Evaluate System‑Level Issues
• Staffing shortages
• Inadequate supervision
• Policy non‑compliance
• Poor communication systems
• Equipment failures
• Training deficiencies
✔ Identify Patterns
• Prior similar incidents
• Repeated deficiencies
• QA/PI failures
GLOBAL WRONGFUL DEATH BREACH INDICATORS
• Missed or delayed assessments
• Abnormal vitals ignored
• No provider notification
• Delayed escalation
• Medication errors
• No reassessment after interventions
• Documentation gaps
• Contradictory entries
• Policy violations
• Delayed transfer
• No response to deterioration
• Inadequate supervision
These are some of the strongest breach indicators in wrongful death cases.