Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Attorneys

Losing a loved one can be one of life’s most stressful and difficult challenges. Nothing can replace the love and meaning that such a person has brought to your life, whether it is a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. Recovering from their death can take months or years as you move through the grieving process. When your loved one’s death has been unexpected and the result of the wrongful actions of someone else, it can intensify the situation. Wrongful deaths are those that could have been prevented and should never have happened in the first place, and thus become even more devastating for surrounding family members.

If you have lost a loved one due to the carelessness, recklessness, negligence, or malice of another party, you deserve accountability and justice. At Kontos Mengine Killion & Hassen, we can help you seek recourse through a wrongful death lawsuit. While nothing can bring back the one you have lost, you may obtain a measure of closure through this legal action. A wrongful death claim may entitle you and your family to compensation for your financial and emotional losses and will give you the justice you need to better recover from your family member’s passing.

Reach out to Kontos Mengine Killion & Hassen for a free consultation at (412) 709-6162 or through our online contact form. Spanish-speaking services are available.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Pennsylvania

Wrongful death claims in Pennsylvania are governed by state law. Under this law, a wrongful death is “caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.” Thus, wrongful deaths can stem from negligence-based accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes and medical malpractice, as well as deliberate acts, such as assaults and criminal attacks. Family survivors of a person wrongfully killed may seek compensation for their losses against the responsible party or parties.

This rule is based on the concept that, had the deceased person survived their injuries, a personal injury claim could have been filed by the person seeking applicable damages. Since the deceased person can no longer bring a legal action against the responsible party, it is left up to someone else to do it on their behalf.

In Pennsylvania, the personal representative of a deceased person’s estate can bring a wrongful death claim. These are often family members. However, if a claim is not filed within six months after the death, any heir or beneficiary has the right to file a claim for the benefit of all survivors.

Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

The damages that may be awarded in a Pennsylvania wrongful death claim can include compensation for:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical expenses incurred prior to the death
• Pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death
• Lost income that the deceased would have earned
• Loss of the loved one’s company, comfort, household services, and guidance
• Emotional anguish of the survivors
• Property damage, such as to a vehicle in a car accident
• Punitive damages in cases where the responsible party acted in an intentional or grossly negligent manner

Contact Kontos Mengine Killion & Hassen Today

Wrongful death claims can result from all types of intentional and unintentional incidents. You can hold the responsible parties accountable with the help of our experienced trial attorneys. Let us apply our skills in negotiated settlements or in court so you are spared the extra stress of dealing with these difficult actions. We will tenaciously fight for the compensation and justice you and your family deserve until we have achieved the best possible result on your behalf.

Connect with us online or at (412) 709-6162 to discuss your case.