The sudden loss of someone you love leaves you facing grief you never imagined possible. The pain becomes even more difficult to bear when that loss happens because of someone else’s negligence. You may ask yourself why this happened, whether it could have been prevented, and how you’ll manage the following financial realities. At Munley Law, our Scranton wrongful death lawyers understand that no legal action can bring back your loved one or erase your pain. What we can do is help ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that your family has the financial security your loved one would have wanted you to have.
A wrongful death claim serves two critical purposes: it provides compensation for the real losses your family faces, and it helps prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. While you focus on caring for your family and processing your grief, we handle the complex legal work that wrongful death cases require. Our wrongful death attorneys work exclusively on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your family. We also provide free consultations, allowing you to understand your options without additional financial pressure during an already difficult time.
If you’re questioning whether your loved one’s death might have been preventable or if you’re unsure about your legal rights, Munley Law is here to answer all your questions. These conversations are confidential, and there’s no obligation to move forward. Sometimes, understanding what happened and what options exist can provide a sense of direction when everything feels uncertain. Call today for a free, confidential consultation with our experienced wrongful death attorneys.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
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$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
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$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Case?
Under Pennsylvania law, a wrongful death occurs when someone dies as a result of another person or organization’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. The key distinction is that the death was preventable — it happened because someone failed to act with reasonable care or deliberately caused harm.
Not every death qualifies as a wrongful death case. Accidents that occur despite everyone acting responsibly, or deaths from natural causes, typically don’t meet the legal criteria. However, if your loved one’s death resulted from someone else’s failure to follow safety rules, medical standards, or basic care requirements, you may have a valid claim.
Pennsylvania’s Wrongful Death Act governs these cases and allows eligible family members to seek compensation for both the financial losses and the emotional impact of their loved one’s death. The law recognizes that when someone dies due to another’s negligence, the surviving family shouldn’t bear the financial consequences alone.
Common situations that qualify as wrongful death cases include:
- Deadly car accidents caused by distracted or impaired driving
- Fatal truck crashes resulting from driver fatigue or company safety violations
- Workplace deaths due to inadequate safety measures
- Medical errors that lead to patient death
- Deaths caused by defective products or dangerous premises conditions
The circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death may be complex, and determining whether negligence occurred often requires a thorough investigation. Insurance companies and responsible parties may try to minimize their role or shift blame, so having experienced legal representation is essential.
If you’re questioning whether your situation might qualify as a wrongful death case, that’s often a sign that it’s worth exploring legally. These determinations can be complicated, and what might seem unclear to you could be clearer to someone familiar with Pennsylvania wrongful death law. Contact our Scranton office immediately to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
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What Are My First Steps After a Wrongful Death Occurs in Scranton, PA?
In the immediate aftermath of losing a loved one, you’re dealing with funeral arrangements, family notifications, and overwhelming grief. The last thing you want to consider is legal matters, but taking a few protective steps early can prove helpful for any potential wrongful death claim in the future.
Don’t speak with the insurance company. The first thing to keep in mind is protecting yourself from insurance companies. You may receive calls from insurance adjusters within a few days of the accident, offering quick settlements or asking for recorded statements. Don’t sign anything or agree to any settlements without legal advice, no matter how reasonable they sound. Insurance companies often approach families when they’re most vulnerable, hoping to settle for far less than the claim is worth.
Preserve important evidence. Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation related to your loved one’s death. If the death involved an accident, try to get photos of the scene or contact information of any witnesses. Don’t throw away damaged personal items, vehicles, or products that might be relevant to the case.
Document your losses. Save all receipts related to medical expenses, funeral costs, and other expenses you’ve incurred. Keep records of any income your loved one was earning, which will be necessary for calculating future financial losses.
Focus on your family’s immediate needs. Your primary concern should be caring for yourself and your family during this difficult time. Legal matters can feel overwhelming, but an experienced wrongful death attorney in Scranton can handle the complex legal work while you focus on grieving and healing.
Contact Munley Law as soon as you’re able. While you don’t need to call immediately, don’t wait too long. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories can fade, and Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations means a strict deadline for filing a claim.
Call us when you’re ready. We’ll handle the legal complexities so you can focus on what matters most.
Is there a Statute of Limitations on a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Yes, Pennsylvania law requires that wrongful death lawsuits be filed within two years of the date of death. This deadline is firm and applies regardless of when you discovered that negligence may have caused your loved one’s death. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation permanently.
The two-year statute of limitations exists for several practical reasons. Evidence becomes harder to preserve over time, witnesses’ memories fade, and defendants have a right to know they won’t face legal action indefinitely. While this deadline might seem harsh when you’re grieving, it ensures that cases are pursued while evidence remains fresh and reliable.
The clock starts ticking on the date of death, not when you realized someone might be at fault. This is important because sometimes the full circumstances surrounding a death aren’t immediately apparent. For example, if your loved one died in a hospital and you later discovered that medical errors contributed to their death, you still only have two years from the original date of death to file a lawsuit.
Even if you’re unsure whether to pursue a claim, consulting with an attorney sooner rather than later is better. Once we file the necessary paperwork to protect your rights, you’ll have time to decide how to proceed without the pressure of an approaching deadline.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Scranton?
Under Pennsylvania law, not everyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit, even if they were close to the deceased. The state has specific rules about who has the legal right to pursue these claims, and understanding these rules is essential for Scranton families navigating this complex process.
The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate must file the wrongful death lawsuit. This is usually the surviving partner, or if there’s no significant other, an adult child or parent. The personal representative files the claim on behalf of all eligible family members who suffered losses due to the death.
Pennsylvania law recognizes several categories of people who can benefit from a wrongful death claim. The primary beneficiaries are the surviving spouse and children. If there’s no spouse or children, then parents can be beneficiaries. In some cases, other dependents who relied on the deceased for financial support may also be eligible.
When multiple family members are involved, coordination is essential. We often work with Scranton families where adult siblings, surviving spouses, and parents want to be involved in decision-making. Pennsylvania law requires one person to serve as the personal representative, but that doesn’t mean other family members are excluded from the process or compensation.
The personal representative has a legal duty to pursue the claim in the best interests of all eligible beneficiaries. This can sometimes create family tensions, mainly when disagreements arise about whether to settle or go to trial, or how to distribute any compensation received.
Stepparents, grandparents, and extended family members may have rights in certain situations, particularly if they were financially dependent on the deceased or were the closest surviving relatives.
If your family is unsure about who should serve as a personal representative or if multiple people believe they have a claim, we can help sort through Pennsylvania’s priority rules and find a solution that works for everyone involved.
There is no fee unless we win your case.
How Can a Scranton Wrongful Death Attorney Help You
Understanding the legal process can help reduce anxiety during an already difficult time. While every wrongful death case is unique, most follow a similar path from initial consultation through resolution.
When you first contact us, we’ll discuss what happened, review any documentation you have, and determine whether you have a viable wrongful death claim. This consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to move forward.
If you hire our Scranton wrongful death attorneys, our team will investigate your case and identify all responsible parties. We’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, consult with experts, and work with accident reconstruction specialists when necessary. In Scranton cases, this often involves working with local police reports, hospital records, and workplace safety inspections.
Once we’ve gathered sufficient evidence, we’ll file the wrongful death lawsuit in the appropriate Pennsylvania court. This formally starts the legal process and ensures we meet all statutory deadlines.
Both sides exchange information through depositions, document requests, and interrogatories. This is where we build the strongest possible case by uncovering all facts related to your loved one’s death. You may be asked to provide a deposition, but we’ll prepare you thoroughly for this process. We’ll negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and defendants to secure fair compensation for your family. Our experience with Scranton courts and local insurance practices gives us leverage in these negotiations.
We’re prepared to take your case to trial if we can’t reach a fair settlement. We’ll present your case to a jury and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Throughout this process, your role is minimal. We handle the complex legal work while you focus on grieving and caring for your family. We’ll keep you informed at every step and consult with you on major decisions, but the day-to-day legal work is our responsibility.
How Is Wrongful Death Compensation Calculated?
While no amount of money can ever replace your loved one or ease the pain of your loss, wrongful death compensation serves an essential purpose: ensuring your family has the financial security your loved one would have wanted you to have. Pennsylvania law recognizes that when someone dies due to another’s negligence, the surviving family shouldn’t bear the financial consequences alone.
Economic damages form the foundation of most wrongful death claims. These include the income your loved one would have earned over their lifetime, the value of benefits they provided (such as health insurance and retirement contributions), and expenses directly related to their death, including medical bills and funeral costs. In Scranton, we work with economists and financial experts to accurately calculate these losses based on your loved one’s age, earning capacity, and career trajectory.
Non-economic damages address the intangible but very real losses your family faces. This includes compensation for losing your loved one’s companionship, guidance, and support. For children who lost a parent, this recognizes the loss of parental guidance and care they would have received throughout their lives. For spouses, it acknowledges the loss of partnership and emotional support.
Several factors influence the final compensation amount. Your loved one’s age, health, earning capacity, and life expectancy play a role. The degree of negligence and the number of dependents also affect the calculation. Pennsylvania courts also consider the relationships between the deceased and surviving family members when determining appropriate compensation.
We understand that discussing money during your grief can feel uncomfortable or inappropriate. However, securing fair compensation is one of the most important ways to honor your loved one’s memory and ensure their family is cared for as they would have wanted.
Our Scranton Wrongful Death Lawyer is Here For You
If your loved one died because of the negligent or reckless actions of another, you need to call a wrongful death attorney now. The team at Munley Law has the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate, identify the responsible party, and build a winning case. While we understand no amount of money will ever make up for your loss, we can help ease your family’s financial burden. By holding the negligent parties responsible, we may also be able to prevent this same tragedy from happening to someone else. A Scranton wrongful death attorney at our firm can help your family obtain fair and just compensation for the loss of your loved one.
Time is of the essence. Due to the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the victim’s death. Contact an accident lawyer in Scranton today to schedule a free consultation.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on June 26, 2025.
