Our Hazleton wrongful death lawyers at Munley Law know there is nothing more devastating than the loss of a loved one. If that loss resulted from another person’s negligence or carelessness, the pain may be even greater – and we’re here to help you file a wrongful death claim to alleviate the burden of funeral costs, medical bills, loss of income, and more. Over almost 70 years, we’ve obtained multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for clients, including a $3.9 million wrongful death award.
The respected legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell, gave all our partners its highest rating, AV Preeminent, and all our partners were named to the Irish Legal 100 and Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. Our lawyers have also been honored by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Lawyers of Distinction.
Our compassionate and experienced personal injury attorneys in Hazleton have helped thousands of families like yours, and we’re here to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Hazleton wrongful death lawyer at Munley Law. There is no charge for our services unless we win your case. Para asistencia inmediata en Espanol, Favor de llamarnos al numero 570-983-3844.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
In a wrongful death claim, the surviving family members of the victim can hold the negligent party accountable. In addition to the emotional distress a death puts your family through, it can also cause an enormous financial burden.
Costs like funeral and medical expenses can be overwhelming, particularly if your family has lost a primary source of income. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit means that your family can at least rest assured that the financial burden has been eased, taking just one small weight off your shoulders.
Wrongful death claims are intended to compensate the decedent’s family for what they’ve lost. Another type of claim has a slightly different purpose and is utilized to recoup the deceased’s estate for the losses they have incurred. This type of claim typically applies in situations where the victim was injured but survived and then succumbed to their injuries later.
If you’re unsure whether you have the right to file a wrongful death claim or what type of claim you should file, don’t hesitate to contact a Hazleton wrongful death attorney at Munley Law for a free consultation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
According to Pennsylvania Law (42 Pa. C.S.A. § 8301), a surviving spouse, child, dependent, or parent of the deceased may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. A Hazleton wrongful death attorney at our firm will review the details of your situation at no charge and help you determine what to do next.
What Compensation is Available in a Hazleton Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of personal injury lawsuit, and a key goal of most personal injury cases is to recover damages. In wrongful death cases, damages are essentially all the losses, both financial and otherwise, that the eligible surviving family members have suffered as a result of the death. These damages fall into three distinct categories:
Economic Damages: Economic damages are measurable losses and expenses. Perhaps the deceased party required a great deal of medical care after the accident and before their death, resulting in the family being left with a stack of bills for medical expenses. Perhaps the deceased party was the family’s main provider; without them, the family is struggling financially. Funeral costs and related funeral expenses can also be shockingly steep. These losses- medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs- have a clear, non-negotiable value.
Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are not measurable in the way economic damages are. They account for more abstract but still entirely devastating losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and more. A wrongful death lawyer assesses all these losses and assigns a dollar value, even for things that don’t have a clear monetary worth.
Punitive Damages: In most wrongful death lawsuits, the claimants seek the damages listed above. However, in some cases, this third type of damage comes into play. While economic and non-economic damages are intended to compensate the family for their losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and dissuade them and others from exhibiting the same negligent behavior. These damages are only awarded in particularly reckless or negligent wrongful death claims.
We will work with financial and other experts to determine a fair amount of compensation to pursue in your wrongful death case.
What are the Common Types of Wrongful Death Accidents in Hazleton, PA?
Since 1959, people in Hazleton, wider Luzerne County, and all over Pennsylvania have turned to Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for help after the death of a beloved family member. We have decades of experience handling wrongful death cases stemming from common events such as:
- Car Accident Deaths: According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were 70,343 passenger car accidents resulting in 315 occupant fatalities in 2024. After a fatal car accident in Hazleton, our wrongful death lawyers in Hazleton will get to work immediately. We will investigate every possible source of recovery to make sure you and your family get everything you deserve.
- Truck Accident Deaths: PennDOT reported that there were 98,529 light truck, van, and SUV accidents resulting in 337 occupant fatalities, and 7,312 heavy truck accidents resulting in 22 occupant fatalities, in 2024. Our Luzerne County law firm has helped many families who have lost loved ones in truck accidents in Hazleton. We will investigate the circumstances of the fatal crash and determine if the fault lies with the driver, the transportation company, the truck’s owner, or all of the above. Hazleton’s many manufacturing and distribution centers bring large truck and tractor-trailer traffic to Hazleton area highways, including Interstates 80 and 81, which connect with the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Deaths: The Keystone State saw 174 pedestrian fatalities and 19 bicycle accident deaths in 2024. Collisions between cars and pedestrians or bicyclists in Hazleton are often fatal. In addition to the driver involved, we will also look into other factors that may have contributed to your loved one’s death, including the lighting on the street and whether or not there was a clearly marked crosswalk.
- Motorcycle accident deaths: 219 fatalities resulted from the 3,390 motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania in 2024. A motorcyclist may be struck by a car or truck with a driver who was distracted, using a cell phone or texting. The motorcycle may have had a faulty part, such as a defective tire, or the roadway may have been designed in a dangerous manner. Whatever the cause, if negligence was involved, you may have a wrongful death claim.
- Defective product deaths: If a death results from a defective or faulty product due to faulty design, a manufacturing error, or inadequate warning, you may have a wrongful death claim. Responsible parties may include the manufacturer, distributor, and/or retailer of defective products. Manufacturers have a responsibility to properly educate consumers about the safe use of their products. They must also provide adequate warning about the dangers of a product. At least 25 people in America died as a result of defective products in 2024, according to the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.
- Medical malpractice deaths: Death resulting from an incorrect diagnosis, delayed diagnoses, failure to diagnose, as well as surgical, medication, or other medical errors may be cause for legal action. Medical professionals have a standard of care that they must adhere to. Our Hazleton medical malpractice lawyer will determine if the healthcare provider violated that standard of care when treating your loved one.
- Workplace accident deaths: When unsafe conditions or negligence in their place of employment result in the death of a loved one, you deserve justice. In an effort to prevent workplace accidents and deaths, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets standards that employers must follow to ensure employees are safe and protected.
- Premises liability deaths: If someone dies as a result of unsafe conditions on someone else’s property in Luzerne County, you should contact our Hazleton wrongful death lawyer. Property owners must keep their property or place of business safe for visitors and customers. Potentially fatal accidents include slip and falls, poor maintenance, building code violations, dog bites, or insufficient security.
- Negligent caregivers: If nursing home staff or in-home caregivers abuse or neglect their patients, resulting in death, the decedent’s family may file a wrongful death suit.
Of course, wrongful death doesn’t result from these common incidents only. If you’re unsure whether the passing of your loved one qualifies as wrongful death, speak to one of our lawyers for guidance you can trust.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Hazleton, PA?
In Pennsylvania, under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), you have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. However, it is in your best interest to consult our Hazleton wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Critical evidence can become lost or even destroyed with time. The sooner we can get to work, the sooner we can help you get on the road to recovery.
Not sure if you have a case? Hesitant about hiring a lawyer? Call Munley Law for a free consult with a Hazleton wrongful death lawyer. There is no charge, and you’re not under any obligation, so you risk nothing by meeting with one of our lawyers. We will simply review your case, answer any questions you may have, and help you make an informed decision about what to do next.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Hazleton Wrongful Death Lawyer?
With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, Munley Law’s Hazleton wrongful death lawyers are a legal powerhouse and have earned the respect of peers, judges, legal organizations, and the public. Our links to the Hazleton community run deep, and our knowledge of the local landscape, Pennsylvania and federal law, and the local courts is extensive.
All our lawyers are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, in which Marion Munley and Daniel Munley have held leadership roles. Marion’s currently the association’s Vice President. Marion and Daniel are members of the invitation-only American Board of Trial Advocates, and she, along with Caroline Munley, is a member of Litigation Counsel of America and the International Society of Barristers. The National Trial Lawyers named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, Caroline among the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers, and Mackenzie Wilson among the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys in Pennsylvania.
With accolades like these, it’s not surprising that we get results for our clients, whether we obtain them through negotiations with insurance companies or by representing clients in court. Among our client victories are $2.74 million, $1.6 million, and $1.4 million awards in wrongful death cases.
How Much Does Hiring a Hazleton Wrongful Death Lawyer Cost?
During this incredibly difficult time, we want to ease your burdens, not add to them. For this reason, we do not charge a fee for our services unless we win your case. You pay nothing upfront or out of your own pocket. If and when we succeed in recovering damages for you, we merely take a percentage of the settlement or verdict in order to cover our costs. Our fee will never exceed the amount paid to you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazleton Wrongful Death Cases
How Do I Know if I Have a Wrongful Death Case in Hazleton, PA?
You may have a wrongful death case in Hazleton, PA, if your loved one’s death was caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. This can include incidents like car accidents, medical malpractice, or unsafe property conditions.
What is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action?
The difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action is that the former seeks compensation for losses suffered by the surviving family members (such as funeral costs and loss of financial support), while the latter is brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover damages the person could have claimed if they had survived. In some cases, you can file both types of claims together.
How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Typically Take to Recover?
The time a wrongful death case takes to recover varies depending on its complexity, the availability of evidence, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases may be resolved in a few months, while others can take a year or more.
Will I Need to Go to Court for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
You don’t necessarily need to go to court for a wrongful death lawsuit. Many wrongful death cases are resolved through settlements with insurance companies before going to court.
Contact Munley Law for a Free Consultation
After the wrongful death of a loved one, you have the right to seek compensation for medical, funeral, and burial expenses, payment for past and future income loss, and full compensation for your pain and suffering. Let us handle the legal process. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our entire staff will work tirelessly to make sure you get what you deserve.
We will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for you in court if your case does not settle. Contact us today for a free consultation.
J. Christopher Munley
James Christopher Munley is an award-winning plaintiffs’ lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for accident victims and their families. As a board-certified civil trial advocate, Chris was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation by Best Lawyers, and has been listed on Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2013.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 29, 2026.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
197 N Cedar St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 536-9498
