Reading Wrongful Death Lawyer

Our Reading wrongful death lawyers understand the overwhelming grief and confusion that accompanies such a loss. Our compassionate and experienced wrongful death attorneys at Munley Law are here to help you seek justice and hold the responsible parties accountable.

A wrongful death lawsuit will not bring your loved one back, but we hope the financial support will help ease the emotional burden of your loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Reading, PA

A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal action brought by the surviving family members or representatives of a deceased person against the individual, company, or entity responsible for the person’s death. This type of lawsuit seeks to obtain compensation for the survivors’ losses, which can include both economic and non-economic damages.

The primary goal of a wrongful death lawsuit is to provide financial relief and justice to the surviving family members. It holds the responsible parties accountable for their actions and helps alleviate some of the financial burdens resulting from the untimely death of a loved one. Although no amount of money can replace the loss, a successful wrongful death claim can offer some measure of comfort and security to the grieving family.

Many wrongful death claims arise from accidents or incidents where the responsible party failed to exercise reasonable care. This can include car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and defective products. In some cases, the death may result from intentional acts such as assault or murder, which may also involve criminal prosecution.

Who is Eligible to Receive Compensation in a Reading Wrongful Death Case?

The Role of a Reading, PA Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions is an incredibly traumatic experience. Here’s how a wrongful death lawyer at Munley Law can help:

•  Thorough Investigation: A wrongful death lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to gather all necessary evidence, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimonies. Using this evidence, your lawyer will be able to establish the liability of the responsible party, proving how their actions or negligence led to the death of your loved one.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful. A wrongful death lawyer in Reading will handle all communications, ensuring you do not have to deal with the pressure of negotiation. Munley Law will negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure the maximum possible compensation for your loss.
• Court Representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a wrongful death lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf. We will represent you in court, present a compelling case to the judge and jury, and fight for the justice your family deserves.

If you lost a loved one in an accident in Reading, PA, we will make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our Reading personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation.

Compensation Available in a Reading Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In wrongful death lawsuits, compensation is awarded to the surviving family members or beneficiaries of the deceased person. There are different types of compensation, which cover both financial and emotional losses:

Economic Damages: These damages are quantifiable financial losses resulting from the wrongful death. They typically include:

• Loss of financial support: Income, wages, and financial contributions the deceased would have provided to their family had they not died.
• Medical and funeral expenses: Medical bills incurred due to the injury leading to death and the costs associated with the funeral and burial arrangements may be covered.
• Loss of benefits: Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for the loss of benefits, such as health insurance or retirement benefits, that they would have received if the deceased had not passed away prematurely.

Non-Economic Damages: These damages are more subjective and address the emotional and intangible losses suffered by the surviving family. They may include:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress endured by the deceased before their death and experienced by their loved ones as a result of the loss.
• Loss of companionship and consortium: This refers to the emotional support, guidance, and companionship the deceased would have provided to their family members if they had not died.

Punitive Damages: Punitive damages aren’t as common as other types of compensation in wrongful death cases. They’re typically awarded in cases where the negligent party’s actions were particularly egregious, reckless, or intentionally harmful. Punitive damages punish the responsible party for the victim’s death and aim to deter similar actions in the future.

Who is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In Reading, certain family members or representatives of the deceased have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This is often called “legal standing,” meaning who has the right to bring the lawsuit.

Here’s who typically has the legal standing to file a wrongful death lawsuit:

Immediate Family Members: This usually includes the deceased person’s spouse, children, and parents.

Dependents: In some cases, other dependents of the deceased may have the right to file a lawsuit. This could include anyone who relied on the deceased for financial support, like a partner who wasn’t legally married to the deceased but depended on them financially.

Personal Representative of the Estate: If the deceased person had a will, they may have named a personal representative or executor of the estate to handle their affairs after they pass away. The court might appoint someone to fill this role if the deceased didn’t have a will. The personal representative can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased’s estate and the beneficiaries, which could include the immediate family members mentioned earlier.

It’s important to understand that not just anyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Only those directly impacted by the death, either emotionally or financially, have the legal standing to bring a lawsuit. This helps ensure that the lawsuit is brought by those who have the closest connection to the deceased and are most affected by their loss.

Call The Reading Wrongful Death Attorneys of Munley Law

If you have tragically lost a loved one due to the negligence or actions of another party, you deserve the relief that a wrongful death lawsuit can bring.

Call Munely law wrongful death lawyers at our Reading law offices today for your free consultation.

Munley Law has 65 years of experience protecting the rights of Pennsylvania residents. We will not stop fighting until we win the financial compensation you deserve. Call or message us today for a free case evaluation.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234