Pittston Wrongful Death Lawyer
In Pennsylvania, those who cause the death of another person through negligence, recklessness, or unlawful activity can be held liable for those actions, even though the victim is no longer able to file a claim on his or her own behalf. Wrongful death claims can only be filed in certain cases, so if you recently lost a loved one in an accident, it is important to speak with an experienced Pittston wrongful death lawyer who is well-versed in Pennsylvania law and can ensure that your claim is filed properly and on time.
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death?
Under Pennsylvania law, a wrongful death is any death that occurs as a result of someone else’s:
- Wrongful act;
- Neglect;
- Unlawful violence; or
- Negligence.
Family members who can prove that a defendant was responsible for their loved one’s death could be entitled to damages compensating them for some of their losses.
Who Can File a Claim?
Only certain family members can file a wrongful death claim on a loved one’s behalf, including:
- The decedent’s spouse;
- The decedent’s children; or
- The parents of the deceased.
When a plaintiff is successful, any damages award will be distributed to the decedent’s beneficiaries in an amount equal to what those individuals would have recovered from the decedent’s personal estate if he or she had died without a will. If there aren’t any potential beneficiaries who can file a claim on a decedent’s behalf, then that individual’s personal representative could have standing to file the claim instead, seeking reimbursement for medical bills and the cost of administering the decedent’s estate.
Recoverable Damages
Plaintiffs who are able to successfully prove that a defendant’s negligence or wrongful act caused their loved one’s death could be eligible for a damages award compensating them for:
- Hospital, medical, and nursing care bills related to the decedent’s final injury or illness;
- Funeral and burial expenses;
- Expenses incurred during the administration of the decedent’s estate;
- Loss of future income that the decedent could have been expected to earn if he or she had survived;
- Any property damage sustained during the accident;
- The pain and suffering endured by the decedent prior to his or her death; and
- The loss of companionship and emotional distress suffered by the decedent’s loved ones.
To learn more about recovering compensation for your own loved one’s death, please contact our wrongful death legal team today.
Contact Our Office Today for Legal Assistance
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things that a person can go through and can be especially frustrating for those whose relatives pass away as a result of someone else’s negligence. While recovering monetary compensation can never truly compensate a grieving relative, it can go a long way towards helping him or her pay off medical debt and funeral expenses and focus on the long road to recovery. To learn more about how an experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you with your own legal proceedings, please call the O’Donnell Law Offices at 570-821-5717 today.
