Wrongful Death Attorneys

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No amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one. But Munley Law’s wrongful death attorneys help ease the financial burden and bring a sense of closure by pursuing a wrongful death claim. When an accident or act of negligence causes a wrongful death, the liable party should be held accountable.

Munley Law has helped hundreds of families obtain justice. For 65 years, our wrongful death lawyers have fought for families and individuals who have lost a family member due to someone else’s wrongful action. Our firm’s attorneys have a combined experience of over 250 years, and we’ve secured dozens of multi-million dollar recoveries in wrongful death cases, including $32.25 million, $17.5 million, and $8 million. Partners at our firm have been named Lawyer of the Year five times by Best Lawyers, and Munley Law has been included on their list of Best Firms in America. All five partners are also listed among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in the country.

The grief your family is facing is overwhelming, and Munley Law will legally support you throughout your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your wrongful death lawsuit.

What Is a Wrongful Death?

When an individual dies because of the negligence or misconduct of another party, a wrongful death action seeks to compensate surviving family members for the losses they are suffering.

Certain aspects of a wrongful death lawsuit may differ, depending on which state’s law applies to the case. Understanding which state has jurisdiction can be difficult if the death happened outside your loved one’s home state or was caused by someone from another state.

Munley Law’s Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys are knowledgeable in the wrongful death laws of multiple states. Call us today to discuss the specific laws that may apply to your case. We will give you the best legal guidance for moving forward.

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What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed after most types of accidents that result in death caused by another person’s negligence or corporate wrongdoing. Common causes of wrongful death lawsuits include:

Truck Accidents

According to the National Safety Council, 5,375 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash in 2023, a 43% increase in the last 10 years. More recent statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that 4,586 fatalities resulted from large truck crashes in 2024. Truckers and trucking companies must adhere to federal regulations to keep themselves and others on the road safe. Fatal truck accident lawsuits can be challenging because multiple parties may be liable, including the driver, the company, or another party.

Munley Law is one of the nation’s leading truck accident law firms. We have earned national recognition for our settlements and verdicts during challenging truck accident litigation. Whether your loved one was another driver, a passenger, a biker, or a pedestrian, we will make sure justice is delivered.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Distracted driving, driver fatigue, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and reckless driving behaviors cause preventable fatal car crashes every day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 42,721 fatal car accidents occurred in 2022. That figure has luckily since shown a downward trend since then, with 40,901 deaths recorded in 2023, and 39,345 fatalities in 2024.

At Munley Law, you won’t just be another car accident case. Our lawyers approach each case with attention, care, and commitment to helping your family heal. The fatal car accident lawyers at Munley Law will hold the negligent party accountable and obtain the compensation you deserve.

Bus Accidents

Though bus accidents are rare, they are catastrophic when they do occur. The FMCSA reports that there were 250 fatal bus crashes in the United States in 2023, reducing to 207 in 2024. You need an experienced advocate when taking legal action against a major transportation company or government entity. While cities and school districts are often quick to settle bus accident wrongful death lawsuits, an experienced lawyer can help ensure you are getting the compensation you deserve.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals frequently hold their patients’ lives in their hands. We have a right to expect them to take the responsibility seriously. When a healthcare professional makes a mistake, the consequences can be deadly. Common medical malpractice cases include:

• Delayed diagnosis
• Misdiagnosis
• Failure to diagnose
• Medication errors
• Failure to monitor or treat

Medical errors account for many wrongful deaths every year. A wrongful death action holds the negligent healthcare professional responsible. Medical negligence wrongful death claims require proving that another provider would have given different and better care. The medical malpractice lawyers at Munley Law will help prove your case.

Workplace Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported nearly 5,300 workplace fatalities in 2023. Trucking and transportation, construction, petroleum and natural gas, and healthcare are among the industries with the highest injury and death rates. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can handle your workplace wrongful death case.

Munley Law will help you understand what you should know about workers’ compensation law and how it impacts your wrongful death case. We will help you secure your loved one’s workers’ compensation death benefits. If a third party is liable for the death, we will help you pursue a separate lawsuit for compensation.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Each state has laws covering wrongful death. In many states, only the surviving spouse, children, or parents can file a wrongful death claim. Unmarried partners are limited in what actions they can bring after the death of their partner. Beneficiaries do not have to live in the same state as the deceased to receive compensation from a wrongful death claim.

If the deceased has no surviving spouse, child, or parent, a personal representative of the family’s estate may be able to pursue a wrongful death case for economic damages such as medical bills and funeral costs.

If you are unsure whether you have the right to pursue legal action, contact a wrongful death lawyer at Munley Law for guidance. We will review your unique situation at no charge and explain your rights.

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What Compensation Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Beneficiaries in a wrongful death claim can recover compensation for various losses, including:

• Medical and funeral costs
• Lost earnings and benefits of the deceased
• Loss of care and companionship
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of security for those dependent on the deceased

Punitive damages may be awarded to punish the negligent party in cases involving gross negligence.

While no amount of money will truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit recovers damages to help relieve the financial burden the family suffers after an accident. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys works to secure your financial future so that you have time to grieve and heal.

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim?

To prove negligence in your wrongful death lawsuit, you must show:

• The at-fault party owed a duty of care to the deceased person.
• The at-fault party breached its duty of care and was negligent in its duties, failing to keep the deceased person safe.
• Since the at-fault party had failed to protect the other party from harm, death occurred.
• The death of a loved one caused damage to you and your family, including but not limited to burial expenses, medical bills, and lost wages.

States either follow a comparative or contributory negligence standard, which directly impacts what compensation you can claim. When you hire Munley Law, our wrongful death lawyers will gather evidence that proves the liable party’s negligence. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

How Hiring a Munley Law Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help

Choosing a wrongful death lawyer to represent your case can be the difference between getting some compensation and getting fair compensation. You deserve to have someone in your corner looking out for your family’s best interests.

If the insurance company or negligent party makes an early settlement offer, Munley Law’s wrongful death lawyers will review the offer and help you chart a course of action.

Since 1959, our firm has secured more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims across the country, including significant awards in wrongful death cases such as:

• $32.25 million settlement for a deadly plane crash in Luzerne County
• $17.5 million verdict for the deaths of two teenagers in a car accident
• $8 million settlement in a fatal truck accident that killed an active-duty Marine and father of two

Our attorneys handle your entire case, answering questions, helping file paperwork, and dealing with the insurance companies and other lawyers on your behalf. We don’t charge any fees unless we successfully recover benefits for you. We will meet with you for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the specifics of your case with our wrongful death attorneys.

Munley Law will immediately start building your case. We investigate what happened, gather evidence, and prepare your legal claim. We act quickly and efficiently, understanding that time is of the essence when gathering wrongful death evidence. Our team also brings nationally recognized credentials that matter in complex and high-stakes cases. Munley Law is the only firm in Pennsylvania with three attorneys board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, which is especially important in cases involving commercial vehicles.

We also have a network of professionals who can provide expert testimony to support your case. Whether you need an accident reconstructionist, a medical professional, or an engineering expert, Munley Law will make sure you have the expert witnesses your case needs.

Why Munley Law Wrongful Death Attorneys Are The Best

Our attorneys hold some of the most respected distinctions in the field. Marion Munley has been named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania since 2022 and currently serves as Vice President of the American Association of Justice after becoming the first woman to lead the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group. Daniel Munley also served as Chair of the Trucking Litigation Group. All partners have been named to the National Trial Lawyers Association’s list of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and several hold additional distinctions:

• Marion and Daniel Munley are named to the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers
• Caroline Munley is named to the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers and the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers lists
• Christopher Munley is named to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list
• Mackenzie Wilson is named to the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys in Pennsylvania list

We also have a network of professionals who can provide expert testimony to support your case. Whether you need an accident reconstructionist, a medical professional, or an engineering expert, Munley Law will make sure you have the expert witnesses your case needs.

Wrongful death is devastating, but justice is available. Call Munley Law today and let our wrongful death attorneys fight for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wrongful Death Cases

It is natural to have questions at the beginning of a wrongful death case or to wonder if a lawsuit is something you want to pursue. Speaking with one of our personal injury attorneys is free and won’t obligate you to do anything. Here are the answers to some of our clients’ most common questions about wrongful death lawsuits.

Should I accept a wrongful death settlement?

Never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company before consulting with an experienced wrongful death lawyer. Unfortunately, the settlement offered by an insurance company is usually a fraction of what you deserve. Accepting a settlement also waives your right to seek additional compensation if the settlement proves insufficient.

How much does a wrongful death attorney cost?

Munley Law charges on a contingent fee basis. We only collect a fee if we win your case and obtain damages for you. The contingent fee agreement also protects you from any financial risk if your case is unsuccessful.

What is the statute of limitations in a wrongful death lawsuit?

State law governs the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years from death. However, in some cases, the statute of limitations may begin when the cause of death was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Cases involving government entities may also have different timelines.

How long will my wrongful death lawsuit take?

Your case’s timeline will depend on many factors. If the liable party is willing to negotiate, we may be able to settle your case within a few months. If the negligent party is unwilling to pay the compensation you deserve, we will take your case to court. Trials may take a year or more to resolve.

How much is a wrongful death lawsuit worth?

A wrongful death lawsuit can be worth thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the specific case details. Estimating a case value is impossible without first conducting a thorough evaluation of the damages and evidence.

Get Justice for Your Loved One with a Wrongful Death Attorney at Munley Law

At Munley Law, we know a wrongful death is overwhelming. We will fight on your family members’ behalf and make sure that justice is served. Your wrongful death lawsuit will give you the compensation you need to begin moving forward.

Contact the wrongful death attorneys at Munley Law today for a free consultation. We can help you decide if a wrongful death claim is right for you and your family.