Losing a family member to any kind of preventable accident can be devastating and infuriating. Adding a civil lawsuit to your plate under circumstances like this may not seem like it should be a priority, but it could be important to making sure that your family does not have to deal with various financial and personal losses in the months and years to come on top of your heartache and grief.
Guidance from a Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer can make all the difference in these cases. If litigation is the best move for your family, an Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers attorney can work tirelessly on your behalf to seek fair financial compensation. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff and the rest of our team have helped many families seek justice after tragic accidents, including a $5 million case where we took on the nation’s largest bus company after our client was fatally injured in a crash. We are ready to put our experience to work for you and your family– call today to learn more.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A personal injury claim is a way for someone to get compensation after an injury caused by someone else’s misconduct. Wrongful death claims are also built around financial compensation for specific losses caused by negligent behavior, but these claims seek recovery for the losses that surviving family members suffered.
Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
A wrongful death lawsuit or settlement proposal can include damages such as:
- Lost financial support, including future wages, benefits, and returns on investments
- Costs of burial and burial services
- Costs of medical treatment the deceased person received between when they were hurt and when they passed away
- Costs of administrating the deceased person’s estate
- Lost household services and personal support
A Bethlehem wrongful death attorney can go over your specific situation with you in detail during a private meeting and explain what specific losses you might be able to recover for.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Not everyone who is related to a fatal accident victim by blood or marriage can recover compensation in their name by suing for wrongful death in Pennsylvania. State law only allows the decedent’s spouse, children, and/or parents to be “beneficiaries” from this type of claim This means that they are the only ones who can receive compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Additionally, none of those family members can actually file this type of claim themselves. The only person who has that right in Pennsylvania is the deceased person’s personal representative, which is someone named in the deceased person’s will to manage their affairs and take legal action on behalf of their estate after they pass away. With the help of a wrongful death lawyer in Bethlehem, eligible family members may file a wrongful death claim themselves if the personal representative does not file one within six months of the date of death.
Talk with a Bethlehem Wrongful Death Attorney About Your Legal Options
Moving forward with a civil lawsuit or settlement demand after a family member suddenly passes away can be an extremely stressful process. However, it can also be a necessary one if you want to make sure that the person responsible for your loved one’s death pays for your unfair losses.
A Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer can work with you to build a strong claim and pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Call today to get started– your initial case review is free, and you don’t owe us a dime until we recover for you.
