Losing a loved one while knowing the death was completely preventable but for someone else’s careless actions is devastating. While our wrongful death lawyers know that nothing could ever give you back your loved one, we can guide you through the legal process of seeking accountability and justice by filing a wrongful death claim. The Abington Township wrongful death attorneys from Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette are here to serve as your compassionate legal advocates during this challenging time. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Do I Know If I Have a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under Pennsylvania law, beneficiaries may be able to file a wrongful death claim if their relative died due to a wrongful act, negligence, or unlawful violence in such a way that the decedent would have had a right to file a personal injury lawsuit had they survived. While intentional actions like assault or nursing home abuse can serve as the basis for a wrongful death case, most cases of this nature are based on the legal theory of negligence, which requires proving the following legal elements by the preponderance of the evidence:
- The defendant owed the decedent a legal duty of care to avoid harming them.
- The defendant violated their duty of care.
- The defendant’s violation of the duty of care was the direct and legal cause of the decedent’s death.
- As a result of the death, the decedent’s beneficiaries suffered real, measurable losses.
An experienced wrongful death attorney from our law firm can help evaluate if your family has legal grounds for this type of case.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Some leading causes of wrongful death cases include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slips and falls
- Swimming pool accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Work accidents
- Product liability accidents
- Medical malpractice incidents
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
Anytime someone’s negligence caused harm or death to another, a legal right might exist to hold them financially responsible.
What Damages Can We Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?
While no amount of money can ever fairly compensate for the loss of your loved one, awarding financial damages is the only thing that courts can do to provide some semblance of justice. These damages can help offset some of the expenses and income losses caused by the defendant’s wrongful conduct.
Wrongful death damages could include:
- Hospital bills and other final medical expenses
- Funeral expenses, burial costs, and cremation services
- Lost income or benefits that the decedent would have provided had they survived
- Loss of services, society, comfort, and guidance that your loved one likely would have provided had they survived
Our experienced wrongful death lawyers can work tirelessly to identify and pursue all damages to which you are entitled.
Have Questions? Call Today
At Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C., we provide approachable legal services. We lay out your legal options, explain the process, and let you decide which course of action to take. We can guide you through every step of the legal process. Call us today to get started with a free case review.