PA & NJ WRONGFUL DEATH LAWYERS
When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, what we want most of all are justice and closure; but what we may need most are help and financial compensation. Resolving a wrongful death claim on behalf of a family member can go a long way toward easing the terrible pain of loss while at the same providing survivors with much-needed monetary funds to cover lost earnings, lost companionship, and funeral expenses.
What makes a death wrongful? Every death is tragic; but not every death is wrongful. The law constructs a wrongful death as a fatality resulting from another person’s (or legal person’s--think corporation or manufacturer) fault, negligence, or misconduct.
Wrongful deaths include everything from the passenger killed in an auto accident because the airbags did not deploy properly (this might also involve product liability laws) to the patient who dies in the hospital because of a misdiagnosis (this might also involve malpractice laws) to the pedestrian killed by a drunk driver (this might also involve premises liability law against whoever sold the driver alcohol, as well as criminal charges and a personal injury claim against the driver).
As you can see, there is some overlap between niches, and wrongful death claims can get complicated. The key, however, is that a wrongful death is a death which, in the absence of the negligent action, would not have occurred; or which, through reasonable safety precautions, could have been avoided.
Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims
Medical malpractice accidents
Emergency room malpractice accidents
Anesthesia malpractice accidents
Toxic substances
Bringing a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by heirs of the deceased or a representative of the survivors (officially known as “real parties in interest”) who were damaged by the wrongful death of their loved one. Depending on state law and the circumstances surrounding the wrongful death, these real parties in interest typically include:
Immediate family
Life partners and depends
Distant family members
Non-related parties of interest (those who lost care or support)
Compensation for Wrongful Death
While no amount of money can possibly compensate survivors for the senseless loss of a loved one, monetary compensation is often a necessity for those who depended on the deceased for financial and/or emotional support. Wrongful death claims often involve awards or settlements for damages which include:
Lost income by the deceased
Loss of companionship (or emotional support)
Loss of savings
Loss of financial support
Medical treatment costs
Funeral costs
PA & NJ Wrongful Death Attorneys
The wrongful death lawyers at Green & Schafle recognize the tremendous grief, trauma, and expense that attend the death of a loved one whose life ended prematurely.
We want to help. You can count on us to use our skills and experience to advocate for you and seek maximum recovery of your damages.
If someone you love has been the victim of wrongful death, please contact our attorneys immediately for a free consultation toll-free at 1-855-462-3330 or by using our online contact form.
