Harrisburg Wrongful Death Lawyer
Accidents can happen when least expected and can result in catastrophic injuries, which can often be fatal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 130,500 deaths resulted from accidental injuries in a single year in the United States. When an accidental death occurs, family members are often left stunned and unsure of where to turn for help. Not only do they have to deal with the grief of the sudden loss, but they also must determine how to pay for unexpected medical, funeral, and burial costs. In addition, if the deceased was a financial contributor to the household, family members may struggle to keep up with bills and expenses without that income.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania law gives surviving family members the right to recover for losses stemming from a fatal accident by filing a legal claim for wrongful death against the party that was at fault in the accident. Wrongful death claims differ in many ways from personal injury claims and it is important to discuss your legal rights and options with a skilled Harrisburg wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
Common Incidents That Lead To Wrongful Death
Many different types of incidents can lead to a wrongful death, however, in order for surviving family members to recover for the death, the incident must involve the negligence or intentional act of another person or party. Some examples of incidents that may cause a wrongful death claim to arise include the following:
- Car and truck accidents;
- Pedestrian accidents;
- Bicycle accidents;
- Construction site accidents;
- On-the-job accidents;
- Swimming pool or boat accidents;
- Medical malpractice;
- Nursing home negligence;
- Dangerous pharmaceuticals or medical products;
- Defective products that cause injury; and
- Acts of violence.
If your loved one died due to injuries in any accident that you believe was the result of another person’s negligence or intentional act, you should not delay in consulting with a Harrisburg wrongful death lawyer. Identifying negligence often requires timely investigation and, furthermore, the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania only gives you two years from the date of the death to prepare and file your claim.
Damages In PA Wrongful Death Cases
Many people considering a wrongful death claim wonder whether or not it will be worth it to go through the legal process. Many wrongful death cases can have substantially high settlements or awards, however, as surviving family members may seek damages not only for financial losses but for the estimated value of intangible losses, as well. Examples of common damages in this type of case include:
- Medical, funeral, burial, and estate administration expenses;
- Financial contributions the deceased person would have made from the date of the death until the end of their life expectancy; and
- Loss of comfort and services of the deceased person, which can include emotional and psychological losses.