Wrongful Death Attorney

 Losing a loved one in a Pennsylvania accident is painful. Losing that person due to someone else's negligence can be even harder. When you are grieving, hurt and worried about the future, it may seem insensitive to talk about insurance claims, wrongful death settlements and cash awards. But a highly skilled Pennsylvania lawyer can guide you through the legal process with compassion and sensitivity, making sure that you get the compensation you and your family need – and deserve – by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. 

The Scranton, Pennsylvania, firm of Munley Law represents individuals and families who have lost a loved one in devastating accidents caused by the negligence of others. We remain sensitive to our clients' emotional needs during this difficult time, but are prepared to use our extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania wrongful death laws to make sure they obtain a verdict or settlement that provides financial security for the future.

Our firm represents clients throughout Pennsylvania and has offices in Scranton, Carbondale, Plains, Stroudsburg, Hazleton and Hamlin. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or by calling 877-421-9173.

Accidental Death in Pennsylvania

According to the Centers for Disease Control, accidents and unintentional injuries are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Unfortunately, accidental deaths happen all too frequently in Pennsylvania as well. According to the state Department of Health, one Pennsylvania resident died every 65 minutes in 2008. More than 8,000 deaths occurred as a result of an unintentional injury – a 10 percent increase from just four years earlier.

The leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania in 2008 was motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Other top causes were unintentional poisonings, falls, suffocation, drowning, fire and burns and accidents involving machinery. 

In the grief and confusion that follows the sudden and unnecessary loss of a loved one, families are expected to move quickly to pursue legal action against those responsible. Below, you will find information that can help you understand Pennsylvania’s wrongful death laws. However, we at Munley Law encourage you to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney to determine whether your case meets the Pennsylvania requirements for a wrongful death claim.

About Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Wrongful death suits are intended to hold an individual, group or corporation accountable for causing fatal injuries to another person. The primary goal of a wrongful death suit is to provide compensation to the spouse, parent or children of the deceased person. The Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Act prohibits siblings or other extended family members from making a wrongful death claim.

The common denominator for every wrongful death claim is that some degree of negligence on the part of another contributed to the victim's demise. The resulting jury award or settlement is determined by several economic factors, including the victim's life expectancy and life income; the pain, suffering and medical costs (if any) that the victim experienced before death; and intangibles related to the grieving family, such as loss of parenting, loss of companionship, emotional distress and anguish.

Damages in Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claims

Families can receive a variety of damages in Pennsylvania wrongful death claims. The amount of damages awarded will depend on your relationship to the deceased. In general, you may be able to recover money to reimburse you for:

• All medical expenses incurred as a result of the negligence;
• Loss of any future income;
• Property damage, if applicable;
• Any future services normally provided to you by the person who has died;
• Reimbursement for loss of consortium (a spouse's right to the companionship), help and affection from the person who has died;
• Punitive damages if the negligence was found to be criminal.

Things to Remember About a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claim

There is a two-year statute of limitations for how long you have to file a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania. That time period can be a blessing for family members as they grieve and reestablish their lives, but it important to remember a key point: Wrongful death claims must be backed by strong evidence. The longer you wait to take legal action, the more likely it is that important evidence will disappear or get lost. A wrongful death attorney can obtain police reports, witness statements and insurance company information so that you can focus on the most important thing – your family’s wellbeing.

Call A Wrongful Death Attorney Now

The Scranton, Pennsylvania, attorneys of Munley Law have represented the survivors of wrongful death victims across several practice areas, including those who've perished in car accidents, truck accidents, defective product accidents and fatal events from pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs.

We know that monetary damages cannot bring a loved one back, but it can provide a means for a family to continue to live in the fashion to which it was accustomed, ensure a college education for the children and provide medical care and other necessities to help face an uncertain emotional future.

Contact us online or by calling 877-421-9173 for a free case evaluation.