Pennsylvania Wrongful Death

LAWYER

The unexpected death of a loved one is tragic and shocking. When a death is caused by another party’s negligent or reckless actions, surviving family members deserve to seek justice.

If your loved one died in a car accident, slip and fall, truck crash, or another incident, you might be able to take legal action against the party who caused their death. At TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that no amount of money can make up for your loss. However, we also recognize the benefit of seeking justice through a wrongful death case and recovering compensation for your damages. 

Call TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (844) 576-2116 for a free case review. We can connect you with a local wrongful death attorney to handle your case and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

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How a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help Your Family

You don’t need to take on your wrongful death case alone. The legal process can become complex. The wrongful death attorneys in our network are committed to helping those in need. While you grieve and spend time with your family, a local wrongful death lawyer will fight for the case outcome your family deserves.

Wrongful Death Attorney

An Attorney From TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers Legal Network Can Determine Who Is Legally Responsible for Your Loved One’s Death

Whether your loved one’s death was caused by a distracted driver or a negligent medical provider, your attorney will seek to hold that party accountable for what they have done to you and your family.

In some wrongful death cases, liability is straightforward. For example, a drunk driver who travels the wrong way on the highway and causes a head-on collision is clearly at fault for the collision. However, determining the liable party is not always easy. 

Legal responsibility for damages may fall on a: 

  • Driver 
  • Insurance company
  • Property owner 
  • Business
  • Medical facility
  • Medical provider
  • Product manufacturer
  • Government entity

This list represents just some of the possibilities. Your lawyer will investigate your case and determine who we should bring a lawsuit against.

A Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Represent You Fiercely During Settlement Negotiations

Not every legal dispute involves a trial. The reality is that most personal injury cases are resolved through a settlement. Your attorney will go back and forth with offers and counteroffers against the financially responsible party. Effective negotiation skills are crucial in a wrongful death case.

Your attorney will stand up for you and your loved ones and insist on adequate payment for your damages. They will not let you settle for a lowball offer.

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Your Lawyer Will Gather Evidence To Reinforce Your Case

The attorneys in our network have the skills and resources needed to gather and preserve evidence so it is not lost or destroyed. They need to collect proof of the harm the liable party caused. 

The type of evidence your attorney will need to prove your case and recover damages depends on the nature of the fatal accident. 

However, evidence that is commonly used in wrongful death cases includes:

  • Photographs and video footage such as dashboard camera footage or security camera footage
  • Eyewitness testimony from individuals who saw the events leading up to the death
  • Medical records demonstrating the extent of the victim’s injuries
  • Police reports detailing the nature of an accident 
  • An autopsy report 
  • The death certificate
  • Financial records
  • Employment records
  • Expert testimony from professionals in the fields of medicine, accident reconstruction, product safety, finances, or workplace safety practices

If you gathered any evidence on your own, bring it to your attorney consultation and share it with them. However, you do not need to tax yourself with evidence collection. Your attorney can handle this task for you. 

Your Attorney Can Represent You in Court 

Typically, one of the first steps in a wrongful death case is sending a demand letter to the at-fault party requesting damages. This gives the party an opportunity to meet the demand and pay for damages. Of course, insurance companies and other at-fault parties may not offer payment without a fight. 

The next step is a series of settlement negotiations where each party brings their arguments and evidence to the table. Ideally, a settlement that meets all your needs is secured at this point in the wrongful death legal process.

If the defendant in your wrongful death case does not agree to a reasonable settlement, your attorney is prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf. At TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers, the attorneys in our network do not give up quickly. They are committed to advocating on your behalf and on behalf of your deceased loved one. If this requires them to advocate for you in court, they will do so tenaciously.

Personal Injury Lawyers Take Wrongful Death Cases on a Contingency-Fee Basis

The Pennsylvania network of wrongful death attorneys at TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers takes personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. With this kind of payment structure, you only pay your attorney once your case is settled and they secure compensation for you. There are no upfront costs when you hire a lawyer from TopDog Law’s legal network. 

Additionally, the attorneys we work with offer free, no-strings-attached consultations. This provides you with the opportunity to meet with them and find out if they may be a good fit for you and your legal needs.

How Can Filing a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Case Help You and Your Family?

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Wrongful death cases may be brought against negligent drivers, negligent property owners, or any other party who caused the death of your loved one. Through a wrongful death case, you may be able to receive compensation for the financial losses you experienced because of the death. 

Some of your recoverable damages could include:

Compensation for Lost Income 

For many families, losing a loved one unexpectedly has acute financial implications. A wrongful death case may compensate for lost income and employment benefits the deceased person would have provided if he or she lived. Money from a wrongful death case can be used to pay for housing, educational costs, and everyday expenses.

Families coping with the tragic loss of a loved one should not have to worry about how they will pay their bills. Compensation for lost income can be a valuable source of financial relief for individuals coping with a sudden death.

Wrongful death damages may include compensation for: 

  • Your loved one’s salary
  • Bonuses, commissions, tips, and other sources of income your loved one typically earned
  • The value of lost benefits, including health insurance
  • The value of lost retirement benefits

Reimbursement for Medical Expenses Incurred Before the Death 

An individual severely injured in an accident may undergo extensive medical treatment prior to their death. Doctors and surgeons may do everything they can to save the individual’s life but are ultimately unsuccessful. When the individual passes away, the surviving family is left with massive medical bills resulting from this treatment.

Compensation for medical expenses is a crucial element of a wrongful death case. It is not uncommon for medical bills to reach six or even seven figures after a life-threatening injury. You may be able to recover compensation for all of the medical expenses incurred between your loved one’s fatal accident and their eventual death, including expenses related to: 

  • Hospitalization
  • Life support
  • Surgery
  • Medication 
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Medical procedures
  • End-of-life care

Financial Relief for Funeral and Burial Costs 

Funerals can become expensive. For a family who suffered an unexpected death, funeral and burial expenses can represent a massive financial burden. Families may be able to recover compensation for burial costs and funeral costs through a wrongful death action.

Loss of the Decedent’s Services

When someone passes away, their surviving family may need to hire somebody to watch their children during the day or help with the housekeeping. A successful wrongful death case may allow for the recovery of compensation for lost services.

Non-Financial Losses

The greatest loss that a surviving family suffers after an unexpected death is the loss of the individual themselves. Children who lose a parent are left to grow up without that parent’s support, love, and guidance. Spouses are left alone and without their partner’s comfort. These losses may also be compensable in a wrongful death case.

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Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Pennsylvania? 

According to Pennsylvania Law, the executor or personal representative of a decedent has the option to file a wrongful death case. If the personal representative does not file a case within six months of the death, this opens the door for other beneficiaries to file a wrongful death action.  

In some cases, the decedent will explain who should act as their personal representative in their will. If the decedent did not have a will, as is the case with many wrongful deaths, it can be challenging to determine who their personal representative is. An attorney can help your family determine who may file a wrongful death action. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Cases in Pennsylvania? 

The law in Pennsylvania states that death lawsuits are bound by a two-year statute of limitations. Any wrongful death action must be initiated before two years pass. This limitation often presents a significant obstacle for surviving family members. 

When somebody passes away suddenly, surviving families are usually too busy coping with their grief and managing the deceased person’s final affairs to even consider filing a legal action. Unfortunately, waiting too long to file a wrongful death lawsuit may prevent you from recovering compensation at all. 

Attorney James Helm and the rest of the staff at TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers understand that grieving families are not in a position to deal with piles of legal paperwork and complex court filings. We can connect you with a local lawyer who will handle all of these matters for you so that you can focus on healing from your tragic loss. When you work with TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you find a lawyer who will take care of the legal aspects of your case efficiently and professionally.

What Counts as a Wrongful Death in Pennsylvania?

If you are currently grieving the death of a family member, you may wonder whether your family member’s death is considered a wrongful death under Pennsylvania law. In Pennsylvania, you can bring a wrongful death action when another party’s negligence is the reason your loved one lost their life. 

Negligence occurs when: 

  • A liable party owes a duty of care
  • They breach their duty of care
  • Their breach of duty of care is the cause of your loved one’s injury and eventual death
  • You and your loved one suffered damages as a result of the liable party’s negligence

For example, a driver not paying attention to the road may strike a pedestrian, killing them instantly. The driver in this situation may be considered negligent because all drivers have a duty to drive responsibly and cautiously.

Examples of Situations That May Lead to a Wrongful Death Case

Several circumstances may warrant a wrongful death case. Wrongful death cases may involve a:

When you reach out to our firm for your free consultation, we can connect you with a lawyer who will explain what you can expect throughout your case. Even if you do not see your case type listed here, we recommend you reach out to us. Our team can explain how we can work with you and find local legal representation to handle your case from beginning to end.

How Long Do I Have to File a
Wrongful Death Injury Lawsuit?

The statue of limitations for wrongful death varies depending on your state’s laws. In many cases, the statute of limitations begins to run once the injury is discovered. In Pennsylvania, you typically have two years from the date of death to have an attorney file a wrongful death lawsuit for you.

Contact a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free, No Obligation Consultation

If your loved one passed away in a car accident, slip and fall accident, work accident, or because of a negligent medical provider, contact TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers to find a local attorney who can explain your legal options and how they can help. A wrongful death claim may help you recover compensation for financial losses as well as the intangible losses you suffered because of the death.

Call us today to get started. Remember, the initial consultation is completely free and comes with no obligations. The attorneys in our network handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay legal fees when they successfully get you compensation.

Call TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (844) 576-2116 for a free case review.

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