Personal Injury & Nursing Home Abuse
Lawyers
Pittsburgh and Western PA

Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Lawyers Fighting for Accountability

Hal Waldman & Associates can help you demand justice

Experiencing the death of a loved one due to the negligence or carelessness of another is an agonizing ordeal that no family should have to bear. The ache, anguish, and emotional strain resulting from a wrongful death are beyond measure. As you search for closure, seeking legal assistance can demand accountability from those at fault. The experienced wrongful death attorneys at Hal Waldman & Associates in Pittsburgh can help.

What is a wrongful death?

A wrongful death happens when someone passes away because of someone else's careless or reckless actions (negligence). In such cases, the responsible party might be legally liable for the loss, and their actions might lead to a wrongful death lawsuit being filed to seek compensation for the family of the person who passed away.

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil claim, distinct from any criminal charges that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania might bring in connection with the same death. These cases can be complex to navigate alone, but a Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyer can help you find your way forward.

Accidents that can result in a wrongful death

  • Car accidents: A fatal car accident can be considered a wrongful death when the crash occurs due to the negligent actions of another driver. Negligence might include behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, running red lights, or driving under the influence.
  • Truck accidents: Wrongful death can result from a truck accident if the driver was speeding, asleep at the wheel, or driving an overloaded or poorly maintained truck.
  • Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrian accidents often happen at crosswalks, intersections, or while crossing streets. If a driver fails to yield the right of way, drives recklessly, or is distracted, resulting in a pedestrian's death, it can be considered a wrongful death case.
  • Nursing home and assisted living abuse and neglect: Wrongful death can occur in nursing homes, memory care units, or personal care facilities when residents experience abuse or neglect that leads to their death. Negligence in these settings can involve a lack of medical care, medication errors, neglect of basic needs, or physical and emotional abuse.
  • Premises liability: In premises liability cases, wrongful deaths occur when dangerous situations, like slip and fall accidents, occur on someone else's property. If property owners don't keep the premises safe or warn about risks, their negligence can lead to fatal accidents.

Who can file a wrongful death claim?

In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death lawsuit must typically be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. The personal representative may be named in their Last Will and Testament or appointed by the court. If the personal representative doesn’t file a claim within six months of the date of death, any beneficiary of the estate can file the claim instead.

What can I recover for a wrongful death claim?

The compensation you may receive in a wrongful death claim varies based on the circumstances of the incident. Generally, the estate could be eligible to recover damages for:

  • Medical and hospital expenses
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Estate administration expenses

In addition, the surviving family members can seek compensation for losses such as:

  • A surviving parent's loss of guidance and moral upbringing for their children.
  • Loss of inheritance and income
  • Intangible losses like housework, physical comforts, and companionship.
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium

How a wrongful death lawyer can help

When you're faced with the death of a loved one due to negligence, you need a wrongful death attorney who understands your situation and can protect your rights. With our law firm, you won't have to navigate this challenging journey alone.

The dedicated team at Hal Waldman & Associates will assess your case and conduct a thorough investigation to build a strong wrongful death case on behalf of your family. We would be honored to listen to your story and explain your options. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced, compassionate wrongful death lawyer.

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