Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer | Fatal Accident Attorney

When you lose a loved one because of someone else’s actions, no amount of money can help you overcome the pain you are experiencing. However, at least, you can receive compensation for the financial losses you might be suffering.

In addition, you can seek justice through compensation from the individual or business which caused your pain. The Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys can help you file your suit and seek the compensation to which you are entitled. Our attorneys will become your team as we fight to obtain the right settlement or verdict on your behalf. Contact us today for help.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Financial compensation due to a death caused by negligence or intentional conduct comes from the Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Act. This law allows immediate family members to obtain compensation when a loved one dies due to intentional or negligent behavior on the part of a third party. The types of damages available include:

Lost wages up to the anticipated retirement date
Medical expenses
Funeral expenses
Loss of services
- This means loss of companionship. For example, children can be compensated for loss of a parent and the impact that will have on their lives. Spouses are also entitled to recover for the loss of their spouse.
Punitive damages in the case of gross negligence or intentional behavior

If there are no appropriate family members, a representative of the estate of the deceased may seek certain medical, funeral, and administrative expenses. A lawyer in Philadelphia could help a family seek compensation in a wrongful death claim following the death of their loved one. Common causes of viable wrongful death claims include:

What Is a Survival Action?

A survival action is different from a wrongful death claim. In a survival action, a representative of the estate of the decedent is substituted for the person who died. The estate takes the place of any claims the decedent had prior to death. In other words, a survival action focuses on the claims of the deceased while a wrongful death action focuses on the claims of the deceased’s family members.

Normally, survival actions focus on the pain and suffering of the person who died, immediately after the event that injured him until the time he actually passes away. This time period may represent moments, hours, days or more. Regardless of the time involved, when someone suffered prior to his death, his estate has the right to recover for this pain.

In a Philadelphia survival action, compensation goes to the estate rather than directly to a family member. These funds are then distributed according to the deceased’s estate plan.

Beneficiaries in Wrongful Death Claims

In a wrongful death case, your Philadelphia attorney may seek benefits if you are a spouse, child, or, if there is no spouse and no children, parents of the deceased. Adult children are required to establish what is called a pecuniary loss due to the death of the parent. A pecuniary loss is one that involves direct expenses that the parent paid for the children. Such losses are those that can be directly measured. For example, medical treatment, funeral expenses and loss of income. If the parent was providing support for or giving gifts to the adult children, this is the kind of damage that would be covered. A pecuniary loss does not include the emotional pain and suffering that comes from the loss of a parent for adult children.

Limited Time to Sue for Fatal Accidents

It is understandable that after such a terrible loss you need time to grieve and focus on your future. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania as in other states limits the time period you have to file suit. In Pennsylvania, this period is two years. If you wait beyond two years to file suit, you will be time-barred from suing and will be unable to recover for your loss. As a result, it is best to contact a Philadelphia lawyer as soon as possible to start pursuing a wrongful death claim.

Contact Our Philadelphia Wrongful Death Attorneys For Help

Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence? Contact Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys’ attorneys. Our Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers will listen to what happened and discuss your loss with you. Let us handle the legal issues while you focus on dealing with your loss.