Wrongful death cases arise when someone loses their life due to the negligent actions of another person, company, or entity. Family members are often left struggling to secure compensation for their losses, and a wrongful death claim is meant to help them do so. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our wrongful death attorneys in Philadelphia want to discuss the most common causes of wrongful death claims.
Under Title 42, Chapter 83 of the Pennsylvania General Statutes, Section 8301, we can see that wrongful death is defined as a death that is “caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.”
This is a broad definition, but typically, the actions that caused the death will be the same actions that would have supported a personal injury claim had the person lived.
Wrongful death cases can arise in many different ways, and the team at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. regularly helps clients after they have lost a loved one due to the following:
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of how wrongful death cases can arise. If you have any questions about whether or not you may have a wrongful death claim after the loss of a loved one, speak to a qualified Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
In Pennsylvania, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate is responsible for filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of the beneficiaries of the deceased person’s estate.
It is true that many wrongful death cases are associated with acts of violence or criminal investigations. Sometimes the liable party also faces criminal charges for the same incident that caused the death. However, there does not have to be a criminal case in order for there to be a civil wrongful death action filed against the liable party.
Loved ones of somebody who has been wrongfully killed can file a civil wrongful death claim whether or not criminal charges are filed and even if somebody is found not guilty of causing the death.
If you have lost a loved one due to the careless, negligent, or malicious actions of another person, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our compassionate and experienced team has vast experience helping clients through these difficult situations. Our goal is to help grieving family members gain closure and secure the compensation they are entitled to, which can include:
When you need a wrongful death attorney in Philadelphia, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.