When a loved one has been lost, it can seem as if nothing will ever be the same. In many respects, this is true. No amount of compensation can bring the person back.
However, the Pennsylvania legal system offers compensation for the surviving families of wrongful death victims. This compensation allows spouses, children, parents and significant others in special circumstances to move forward after a family member has passed away.
At Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald LLP, we help families collect this compensation by holding wrongdoers accountable for the harm they cause. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys files wrongful death lawsuits in courts throughout Pennsylvania — representing the surviving family members of people killed in accidents of all kinds, including fatal car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and accidents like electrocution or drowning.
- Drowning Deaths: Not all drowning accidents are the fault of the swimmer. Detailed investigations often reveal negligence by another person or organization that ultimately caused the accidental death in a swimming pool or lake. Learn More
- Electrocution Deaths: If your deceased loved one died in a workplace accident, you will most likely be able to collect death benefits fairly soon through a workers’ compensation claim. There may be other types of accidental insurance that can help your family fairly quickly. Learn More
- Fatal Vehicle Accidents: We stand up for the rights of families grieving the tragic loss of a loved one in a car accident or other vehicle accident. Our firm has handled numerous wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of families throughout Pennsylvania. Learn More
The Law on Wrongful Death Claims
Most wrongful death claims fall into two broad categories: deaths caused by negligence, in which the responsible party fails to follow normally accepted standards of safe behavior, and deaths caused by defective products, where strict liability laws may apply.
The special circumstances of a wrongful death case cause them to proceed differently than a personal injury case. Still, many parts of a wrongful death award are similar to other lawsuits. Medical, funeral and legal expenses may all be passed on to the person responsible for the accident. You may also be able to collect compensation for your loved one’s lost earnings, pain and suffering. A prompt investigation is important to increase our chances of discovering helpful facts and witnesses.
For many people who have lost a loved one, legal action is not the first thought. But as time passes, surviving relatives often begin to have questions about the fatality, and talking to a lawyer is a way to gain answers.
At our northeastern Pennsylvania law firm, we recommend taking legal action as soon as you feel comfortable contacting us for a free and confidential consultation. Taking action earlier increases your chances of success because your attorneys can act while evidence is readily available and before the certain time limits set by the court — statutes of limitation — prevent your lawyers from filing a lawsuit.