The loss of a beloved family member can be a devastating blow to a Pennsylvania household. Though no legal action can ever bring back someone whose life has been tragically cut short by an accident or act of negligence, wrongful death claims can provide survivors who have lost relatives with financial damages to help them move forward. Many different types of accidents and sets of circumstance can provide the basis for a wrongful death claim. This post will discuss just a few of those possible events.
One of the most common instances that may result in a wrongful death claim is a vehicle accident. When a person dies as a result of another person’s negligent or reckless driving conduct, then the decedent’s surviving family members may have financial losses, including medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost wages. Fortunately, these damages may be recoverable through a wrongful death action.
Also, criminal conduct that results in a death may give a family the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. If, for example, a person kills another individual during an attempted robbery, then the individual who engaged in the criminal conduct may face both criminal charges for their actions as well as civil wrongful death claims brought by the victim’s survivors.
Work-site accidents are another unfortunate cause of wrongful deaths in this country. When on-the-job deaths occur, employers may be liable to surviving family members for their loved ones’ deaths. Also, those who affected by defective products, whether in the workplace or at home, may be able to pursue a similar legal claim.
The circumstances discussed in this post cover only a few of the ways that wrongful deaths may happen. It is important that readers with potential wrongful death claims discuss their legal questions with attorneys who can advise them of their rights and options for seeking compensation for their losses.