The death of a loved one is devastating, especially when the negligence of another causes a loss. Wrongful death occurs when a tragedy that could have been prevented happens, whether it is due to a defective product, motor vehicle accident, or medical negligence.
If you and your loved ones have experienced the pain from an accident that resulted in the wrongful death of a family member, Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney can listen and review your particular situation. We are dedicated to upholding the rights of your family and fighting to hold the appropriate parties accountable. As part of the process, our West Chester, Pennsylvania, wrongful death attorneys explore every avenue of compensation for our clients. Our ultimate goal is to secure your family’s financial future so you can focus on the grieving process and moving forward.
In the state of Pennsylvania, the purpose of wrongful death lawsuits is to seek compensation for family members for the harm they have suffered due to the loss of their loved ones. Damages are calculated from the time of the individual’s death until the end of their expected life span had the accident never happened. The types of losses that family members are eligible to pursue include:
Like most states, Pennsylvania law is clear on wrongful death cases. Under Pennsylvania law, death is considered a wrongful death if a person was killed because of someone else’s acts that the law considers negligent, wrongful, or illegally violent.
Some examples of wrongful death claims include:
Usually, you have to file within two years of the death. If you miss the deadline, you cannot file, so it is crucial to talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Wrongful death suits are designed to assist grieving families with a financial burden, among other remedies. The law recognizes that it is unfair for grieving family members to suffer financially when neither they nor the deceased are to blame; therefore, Pennsylvania law allows the personal representative of the estate to bring a lawsuit for compensation on behalf of:
Damages in a successful wrongful death lawsuit typically go to the deceased person's survivors or estate. In Pennsylvania, damages can be awarded to compensate for a range of losses, including:
In Pennsylvania, damages are awarded in an attempt to compensate the victim’s surviving spouse, children, and or parents for their loss. Even if there aren’t any surviving immediate family members (such as a spouse, child, or parent), the personal representative designated for the decedent’s estate can still pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, outstanding medical bills, or expenses related to the administration of the estate.
The grieving process is difficult enough on its own, but unexpected financial strain can further complicate the situation in the event of an unexpected death. Even though the wrongful death claims process can be long and challenging, the attorneys of Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney are ready to assist you with this process from beginning to end. Explore your options by contacting our West Chester office today for a free consultation.