Philadelphia Wrongful Death

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Losing somebody close to you is always difficult. If your loved one recently passed away because of another party’s wrongdoing, we extend our most sincere condolences and would like to ease your burden while you grieve. Our Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer can manage your case so you can spend time with your family. 

 

A wrongful death case may be an avenue for justice, peace of mind, and financial compensation after the death of a family member. Contact our Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer at TopDog Law to learn more about how we will fight your case. Call (844) 456-9275 for a free case assessment.

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How a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer From TopDog Law Can Assist You

If you are currently researching your options for bringing a wrongful death case, you may wonder what sets TopDog Law apart from other law firms. Attorney James Helm founded TopDog Law because he empathizes with his clients and has a passion for helping people.

James and the rest of the team at TopDog Law recognize that you may be going through one of the hardest times of your life right now. Our goal is to provide the legal support and guidance you need so that you can focus on grieving your loved one instead of dealing with complicated legal processes.

Our team is committed to top-notch customer service. We prioritize communication and want to ensure that our clients always know what is happening with their cases. We will not leave you in the dark or keep you guessing.

Proving the Elements of a Wrongful Death Case

One of our primary responsibilities in a wrongful death case is gathering evidence to demonstrate that the death was caused by another party’s negligence. This can sometimes be a complex and difficult undertaking. Defendants in wrongful death cases will do everything in their power to avoid culpability. Our team will gather evidence, witness testimony, expert opinions, and anything else needed to build the strongest case possible.

We may use evidence such as: 

  • Witness testimony concerning what happened at the time of death 
  • Medical records, the autopsy report, and the death certificate
  • Photographs of the accident scene or the hazard that led to your loved one’s death 
  • Surveillance videos or other recordings 
  • Documentation of all financial losses suffered by you and your family 
  • Employment records to prove lost income
  • Statements from surviving loved ones about how the death has affected them
  • Phone and email records

A crucial part of gathering evidence to support a wrongful death case is ensuring that the evidence is preserved correctly. We may use a letter of spoliation that prevents the at-fault party from hiding, altering, or destroying useful evidence.

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Representing You During Settlement Negotiations 

In most cases, wrongful death cases are resolved via a settlement. There is typically a series of back-and-forth settlement offers until an amount is agreed upon. When you are mourning the death of someone you care about, you should not have to deal with stressful, complicated negotiations. Let our team use their knowledge and experience to fight for a settlement that takes all of your losses into consideration.

Representing You During a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Bringing a wrongful death lawsuit against another party is complicated legally and emotionally. However, you will not have to deal with these complications alone. We strive to represent you and your deceased loved one skillfully and respectfully.

If your case goes to court, we will represent you and advocate strongly on your behalf during any court proceedings. This includes making persuasive arguments on your behalf and explaining how our evidence supports our demand for compensation. We may also interview experts in the field of medicine or accident reconstruction to demonstrate our points further.

We Take Wrongful Death Cases on a Contingency-Fee Basis 

You may wonder what it costs to work with a Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer from TopDog Law. At our law firm, we take wrongful death cases on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay upfront legal fees to secure our services. You only pay legal fees if and when we successfully acquire compensation for you and your family. 

Additionally, your initial consultation is completely free and comes with no obligations. We want to give you a chance to learn more about your legal options without feeling pressured to make a decision right away. We know that none of this is easy, and we want to address any questions or concerns you have.

How Much Compensation Is Available in a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Case?

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The amount of compensation that is recoverable varies from case to case. To understand the amount of compensation you may be able to recover for a wrongful death, it is useful to understand the types of damages commonly awarded in a Pennsylvania wrongful death case.

There are two main categories of damages in a wrongful death case: economic and non-economic damages. 

Non-Economic Damages Compensate Family Members for Financial Losses

When you first heard about your loved one’s death, the financial impact of the death was probably the last thing on your mind. However, as your shock turned to grief and you started thinking about the implications of the death, you may have realized that the tragedy represents a serious financial burden.

It is not uncommon for family members to rely on each other for financial support. Losing a spouse, parent, or other loved one may mean the loss of significant income in the household. Whatever your financial situation, a wrongful death case may allow for financial compensation.

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Compensation may be available for expenses such as:

  • Lost income: The income your loved one may have received if they lived may be recoverable. This includes lost wages, commissions, bonuses, tips, and other income. 
  • Medical bills: An injured or sick person often spends a significant amount of time in the hospital before passing away. If your loved one received medical treatment related to the condition that took their life, you might be facing substantial medical debt. A wrongful death case may allow for the recovery of compensation for medical bills.
  • Funeral services: Many people are shocked to learn how expensive it is to have a funeral for somebody. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation for any costs related to your loved one’s funeral and burial.
  • Estate administration: Settling a person’s final affairs can be costly. Pennsylvania law allows for the recovery of damages for these costs. 
  • Lost services: Although you may have never thought about it this way, services that an individual performs for the household have financial value. Consider a situation in which a stay-at-home parent passes away. The surviving parent now has to figure out how to afford childcare and raise the children without their spouse’s support. Compensation may be available to help you pay for childcare and other services. 

Non-Economic Damages Compensate Family Members for Intangible Losses

Non-economic damages refer to the intangible losses surviving loved ones experience. These losses are not written on a bill or receipt, so determining the amount of compensation you may receive for non-economic damages can be challenging. 

Non-economic damages in a wrongful death case often include loss of the decedent’s: 

  • Society 
  • Comfort
  • Guidance

Why File a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Case?

If you are like many people dealing with the reality of losing a loved one, you may wonder what the purpose of taking legal action in the form of a wrongful death case is. 

Some of the potential benefits of filing a wrongful death case include: 

  • Seeking justice for your loved one –  A wrongful death case is often the best way to pursue justice on behalf of the deceased person. For example, if an inattentive driver causes a fatal accident in which someone is killed, that driver may not face any criminal charges. However, they may be held civilly liable for the death if you file a wrongful death case.
  • Getting closure for surviving family members – A wrongful death case may also provide closure for the loved ones left behind, as well as a sense of resolution. 
  • Pursuing financial compensation – Surviving loved ones are often overwhelmed by expenses related to an unexpected death. The person may have undergone significant medical treatment before death, resulting in massive medical bills. A wrongful death case may allow for the recovery of these financial losses.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Philadelphia, PA? 

Philadelphia law explains who can file a wrongful death case. The executor of the deceased person’s estate, or their personal representative, has six months to file a lawsuit. If they do not file a lawsuit during that time frame, any other person entitled to recover damages may file a lawsuit. Typically, wrongful death cases are brought by a deceased person’s spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling.

Time Restrictions for Wrongful Death Cases in Philadelphia

The statute of limitations states that you generally have two years to file wrongful death lawsuits in Pennsylvania. 

This may seem like plenty of time. However, the process of investigating a death, gathering evidence, calculating damages, and taking legal action can be lengthy. It is essential to get started as soon as possible if you are interested in taking legal action on your deceased loved one’s behalf.

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What Types of Situations Can Lead to a Wrongful Death Case?

Pennsylvania describes wrongful death as a death resulting from the wrongful act, neglect, criminal violence, or negligence of another party. The liable party in a wrongful death case may be a distracted driver, a business, a medical provider or facility, or a number of other parties. 

Countless circumstances can lead to a wrongful death. However, some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:

  • Negligent driving: Drivers who are intoxicated, distracted, or simply careless can cause the death of another in the blink of an eye.
  • Negligent trucking companies: If a commercial truck driver causes an accident, the trucking company may be legally responsible. Trucking companies may also be liable for crashes caused by trucks that are not properly maintained.
  • Intentional acts of violence: If an attacker caused your loved one’s death, that person may face criminal charges. However, the criminal justice system does not offer any restitution to surviving loved ones. A civil wrongful death case may be the best way to recover compensation for a death caused by a violent attack.
  • Slip and fall accidents: Slipping and falling can be a deadly accident, especially if a person is elderly or in poor health. If your loved one died because of an unsafe condition on another party’s property, you might be able to file a wrongful death case against the property owner or property manager. For example, if a dangerous stairwell in an apartment complex led to your loved one’s fatal fall, the apartment complex owner may be liable for the death.
  • Medical malpractice: Medication mistakes, surgical errors, failure to diagnose a condition, and other forms of medical negligence can lead to a patient’s death. If your loved one passed away because a medical provider or medical facility failed to provide an appropriate level of care, you may be able to take legal action against that party.

How long do I have to file a
Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The statue of limitations for wrongful death vary depending on your state’s laws. In many cases, the statute of limitations begins to run once the injury is discovered. 

Let Our Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyers Help You

A wrongful death case is a civil legal action that a representative of a deceased person can take. Financial compensation may be available for medical and funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of the decedent’s services.

At TopDog Law, we know the profound grief suffered by family members when a loved one’s death is caused by negligence or unlawful behavior. We can help you hold the at-fault party accountable and seek compensation for your losses. Don’t wait to get started on your case. Call (844) 456-9275 for a free case assessment.

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