Wrongful Death Injury
Wrongful death is defined as “the taking of the life of an individual resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons.” An action for wrongful death is separate from criminal charges. A civil claim or action can be made against someone who either intentionally or negligently causes an injury resulting in death. There don’t need to be criminal charges in order to have a wrongful death claim, and vice versa.
Know Your Rights
The Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Act allows the deceased’s personal representative to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of the decedent’s family members. Damages may include reimbursement or compensation for:
- Expected loss of future income.
- Loss of services, protection, care, and assistance provided by the decedent.
- Medical expenses incurred as a result of the negligence.
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Grief, sorrow, mental anguish, and solace.
- Punitive damages in the event of willful or wanton conduct.
Although damages in a wrongful death case cannot bring your loved one back, a successful wrongful death claim can provide your family with some security as you face an uncertain future.
Wrongful death claims are often included as a part of a claim for injuries stemming from car crash, tractor trailer crash, or medical malpractice. We can help to ensure that the value of a wrongful death claim is accurately estimated, and that full compensation is negotiated from the insurance company. Taking early action is vital in wrongful death claims because it can take months to collect the medical records and other evidence necessary to determine if you have a viable case. It can take several more months to get expert analysis and reports to support the cause of death and damages suffered. The earlier you get an attorney involved, the more likely we are to find and preserve evidence and consult with experts so we can maximize recovery for you. You don’t have to shoulder the financial burden of an injury or the death of a loved.
