State College Wrongful Death Lawyer

When tragedy strikes unexpectedly, families are left not only with emotional devastation but also with significant financial challenges that can affect their stability for years to come. Pennsylvania law allows certain family members to seek justice and compensation through wrongful death claims, but these legal processes can be complicated and overwhelming during an already difficult time.

At Munley Law, our State College wrongful death lawyers understand the profound impact that a sudden death has on every aspect of family life. Our experienced attorneys have helped countless families throughout State College and central Pennsylvania obtain fair compensation while allowing them space to grieve. Our team handles all aspects of your case, from investigating the circumstances of your loved one’s death to negotiating with insurance companies and representing your interests in court if necessary.

Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation to discuss your wrongful death case and learn how we can help your family move forward.

Wrongful Death Claims in State College

Under Pennsylvania law, a wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the wrongful act, neglect, or unlawful violence of another person or entity. These cases arise from situations where, had the deceased survived, they would have been entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.

Wrongful death claims differ from other personal injury cases in several important ways. While personal injury cases seek compensation for an injured person, wrongful death claims seek damages for the deceased’s survivors. The damages available also differ, focusing on both the losses suffered by the family members and those the deceased person experienced between the injury and death.

The Emotional and Financial Impact of Wrongful Death

The sudden loss of a family member extends far beyond immediate grief. Families often face severe financial hardship, especially if the deceased was a primary income earner. These financial consequences can include:

• Loss of current and future income that would have supported the family
• Medical bills from attempts to save the deceased’s life
• Funeral expenses and burial costs
• Loss of benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions

Beyond financial concerns, the emotional trauma can be overwhelming. Family members may experience profound grief, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Children who lose a parent face particular challenges, including potential developmental issues, educational difficulties, and lasting psychological effects.

While no amount of money can replace your loved one, appropriate compensation can provide financial security during this difficult transition. It can fund therapy for family members, replace lost income, and ensure children’s educational needs are met. Let a Munley personal injury lawyer help shoulder your legal burden while you focus on your family’s emotional healing.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law has specific requirements regarding who may file a wrongful death lawsuit. Initially, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may file the claim. This representative is typically named in the will or appointed by the court if there is no will. This individual manages the legal proceedings on behalf of all the beneficiaries.

The personal representative may differ from the beneficiaries of a wrongful death lawsuit. A beneficiary is an individual who would be entitled to inherit the personal property of the decedent. Under Pennsylvania law, the beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim include:

• The spouse of the deceased
• Children of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased

In State College, Pennsylvania and throughout the state, no other relative or friend may recover wrongful death benefits from the deceased’s estate.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in State College

Unfortunately, unintentional injuries were the third-leading cause of death in the United States in 2023. In the State College area, wrongful deaths result from various circumstances:

• Motor vehicle accidents (car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, etc.): Centre County saw over 1,000 crashes in 2023 alone, making up 1.2% of Pennsylvania’s fatal injury crashes. Busy routes like I-99 and Route 322 are hotspots for auto accidents involving drunk driving, distracted driving, and reckless behavior.
• Serious injuries and wrongful deaths occur in medical malpractice incidents in State College. When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, resulting in the patient’s death, the surviving family has the right to file a claim against the doctor or hospital. These negligent errors may be surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, and inadequate monitoring.
• Workplace fatalities happen in various industries, with construction and manufacturing sites presenting particular risks. Falls from heights, equipment malfunctions, chemical exposure, and structural collapses can lead to fatal injuries.
• Premises liability accidents occur when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, resulting in fatal falls, drownings, or other accidents.
• Product liability cases involve defective products that malfunction and cause fatal injuries, from vehicle components to consumer goods.
• Penn State University-related incidents may include fatal accidents during campus activities, sporting events, or within university facilities.

If your loved one died due to any of these circumstances, reach out to the Munley law firm today for dedicated legal representation.

Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

As we briefly touched on before, Pennsylvania law allows families to recover several types of damages through wrongful death claims. These damages fall into three main categories, economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

• Economic damages compensate for financial losses, including medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost income and benefits the deceased would have provided, and value of services the deceased would have performed for the family.
• Non-economic damages address intangible losses such as pain and suffering experienced by family members, loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support, and the loss of consortium for a surviving spouse.
• Punitive damages are more rare in wrongful death claims. They are reserved for cases that involve egregiously negligent behavior and wanton and willful recklessness. During your free case evaluation, a Munley lawyer will discuss whether your claim warrants punitive damages.

In Pennsylvania, families may also pursue a survival action alongside the wrongful death claim. A survival action is a separate legal action that seeks compensation for what the deceased experienced between the injury and death, including their pain and suffering, and loss of earnings from the time of injury until death.

At Munley Law, we work with economic experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to accurately calculate the full value of these damages. We consider both current losses and projected future impacts on your family. Schedule your no-obligation case evaluation to understand the full compensation your family deserves.

Building a Strong Wrongful Death Case in State College

To succeed in a wrongful death case, we must prove four key elements:

• The defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased. For example, drivers must operate vehicles safely, doctors must provide competent medical care, and property owners must maintain safe premises.
• The defendant breached this duty through negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
• This breach directly caused the death.
• The death resulted in damages to the surviving family members.

Building a compelling case requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. Our team collects medical records, accident reports, witness statements, expert opinions, and other documentation to establish liability. Expert witnesses play a vital role in wrongful death litigation. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, economists, and others who can provide testimony about the cause of death and its impact on the family.

Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

In Pennsylvania, families typically have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This time limit is strictly enforced, and failing to file within this period usually results in the loss of your right to seek compensation. Some exceptions may extend this deadline in certain circumstances, such as when the cause of death wasn’t immediately known or in cases involving government entities, which may have shorter notice requirements.

Delays in taking legal action can seriously harm your case. Evidence may disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and documentation becomes harder to obtain. Additionally, the personal representative has a fiduciary duty to act promptly on behalf of beneficiaries.

While legal deadlines are important, we understand that families need time to grieve. At Munley Law, we handle the legal aspects with urgency while respecting your emotional process. Our approach balances the need for timely action with sensitivity to your family’s needs. Contact us today to speak with a compassionate wrongful death lawyer who can help guide you through the claims process.