Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre wrongful death lawyers know that nothing can replace losing a loved one. If someone you love died as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may have a wrongful death claim.
Since 1959, families in Wilkes-Barre have trusted Munley Law to obtain the justice they deserve. Our Wilkes-Barre personal injury attorneys have earned national recognition for our client service and significant settlements, including wrongful death verdicts of $17.5 million, $3.9 million, and $2.74 million. Our attorneys are recognized by many of the legal profession’s most respected organizations and directories. Marion Munley and Caroline Munley are members of the International Society of Barristers and the Litigation Counsel of America, while the firm’s lawyers are consistently honored by the American Association of Justice and Best Lawyers. All five partners also hold AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence and ethics.
If you are seeking compensation and justice after losing a loved one to a wrongful death, our legal experts can provide compassionate support and legal representation. We do not get paid unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$19.8 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
What is a Wilkes-Barre Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
What we may call an “accident” is often a preventable, negligent act that results in serious harm to another person. Even if the act (or failure to act) was unintentional, the negligent person should still be held accountable for the harm they caused by failing to take proper and reasonable care. If negligence results in the death of your loved one, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
A claim is a lawsuit that is filed by the family members of a personal injury victim. For example, if a wife’s husband dies in a trucking accident and that crash was the result of the truck driver being under the influence of alcohol, the wife can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recoup the expenses created by the accident. This includes:
- Medical costs
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income and benefits
- Care of a child
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
In cases of gross negligence or recklessness, punitive damages may be awarded.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit in Wilkes-Barre?
According to Pennsylvania law, a lawsuit can be filed by a personal representative of the accident victim’s estate. The personal representative will file the suit on behalf of the beneficiaries, which include:
- The victim’s spouse
- The children of the accident victim
- The parents of the deceased
The representative is usually the person who is named in the victim’s will; however, if the victim does not have a will, it is usually their spouse who can bring the personal injury suit. If the accident victim was not married, then it can be another family member, such as the victim’s child, parents, or siblings.
If the accident victim does not have any surviving family members, the court may appoint a personal representative.
If you are unsure whether you are able to bring a wrongful death claim for a loved one, contact a Wilkes-Barre lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for specific advice about your unique wrongful death case.
“Munley Law is far more than just a law firm. We’re a family of attorneys who truly understand the meaning of family and bring deep compassion to every client we serve.”
J. Christopher Munley
What Are the Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Wilkes-Barre?
Our experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorneys have decades of experience handling a variety of complex personal injury cases.
Fatal Vehicle Accidents in Wilkes-Barre
Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of injuries and death in Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, accidents (including those that result in wrongful deaths) were the third leading cause of death in Pennsylvania in 2025. Wilkes-Barre has many high‑traffic highways nearby, including Route 80, Route 81, Route 476, PA 309, and PA 115. When a car or truck accident caused by negligence—such as speeding, distraction, or other reckless behavior—results in the death of your family member, you have the right to seek justice.
Wilkes-Barre Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, there were 1,548 medical malpractice cases reported in Pennsylvania in 2024 alone, including 55 in Luzerne County. When medical malpractice or another form of healthcare negligence in Wilkes-Barre results in death, you may have a wrongful death suit. Responsible parties may include a Wilkes-Barre hospital, surgical center, doctor, nurse, anesthesiologist, nursing home, or another healthcare provider—our medical malpractice lawyers in Wilkes-Barre explain how liability is proven. We can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligent actions. Our medical malpractice lawyers have tried hundreds of cases and helped families move forward through the grieving process and get the compensation they deserve.
Product Liability Claims in Wilkes-Barre
If a defective product caused the death of a loved one due to faulty design, a manufacturing error, or inadequate warning, you need to contact a Wilkes-Barre product liability lawyer today. Manufacturers have a responsibility to warn consumers regarding the safe use of the product adequately. This includes drug manufacturers. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for injuries or death.
Pennsylvania is a strict liability state, which means that a defendant can be held liable for your injuries if they were caused by a defective product, even if the defendant in question was not negligent.
Wilkes-Barre Workplace Fatalities
OSHA sets strict standards for employers to keep their employees safe at work. When these standards are not followed or shortcuts are taken with safety, the results can be tragic. Although a workplace fatality can occur in several industries, some professions are more dangerous than others. These include construction, electrical, farming, manufacturing, medical, and transportation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 169 workplace deaths in Pennsylvania in 2023, taking place across these industries and others.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wilkes-Barre Wrongful Death Claims
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Suit in Wilkes-Barre?
Due to the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania, you need to act quickly. In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the date of death. If you do not act during the limited time frame, you may lose the opportunity to pursue compensation. The experienced wrongful death attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have the knowledge and resources necessary to plan your best course of legal action and win you the compensation you deserve for the loss of your loved one. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work on your behalf.
What Compensation is Given in Wilkes-Barre Wrongful Death Cases?
Whether your loved one was killed in a car accident, unlawful violence, or as a victim of another accident by a negligent party, you may be able to recover compensation for your loved one’s death for the following:
- Burial expenses
- Medical bills
- Loss income
- Non‑economic damages like loss of consortium, companionship, and pain and suffering
In the case of a particularly heinous offense, you may be able to hold the liable party accountable with punitive damages.
What are The Leading Causes of Wrongful Death in Wilkes-Barre?
The most common causes of wrongful death in Pennsylvania and regions like Wilkes-Barre include motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, severe injuries caused by defective products, and workplace fatalities.
How Many Medical Malpractice Cases Take Place in Pennsylvania Each Year?
Medical malpractice, and specifically medical errors, are the third leading cause of death in the country. They are also an ongoing factor in wrongful deaths in Pennsylvania, with 1,548 medical malpractice cases reported in the state in 2024, 55 of which took place in Luzerne County. Additionally, there were 588 serious preventable incidents and injuries in PA in 2024, with medication errors and maternal harm proving to be the leading factors in high-risk injuries and deaths.
How Much Compensation Is a Wilkes-Barre Wrongful Death Case Worth?
No lawyer can tell you how much your wrongful death claim is worth. Most wrongful death lawyers will look at your case holistically and try to determine what the value of your case may be worth, then enter into negotiations.
However, the responsible party will also have a team of lawyers at the ready to try to diminish as much of their involvement in the death as possible, hurting the overall value of your claim.
Further, if you wait too long after the death to file a claim, it can reduce the amount of evidence available, further ticking away at the overall settlement or verdict.
How Can Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Help Me and My Family?
We know that during this difficult time, it can be hard to know who you can count on to fight on behalf of your deceased family member. The PA wrongful death lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys know that when a death caused by reckless behavior occurs, there needs to be guidance on how to handle these legal issues.
At Munley Law, we have received the highest peer recognition and high ratings for service from our past clients, making it one of our most coveted professional achievements. Further, we serve clients throughout Luzerne County who need representation from outstanding lawyers.
Our many achievements and awards won underscore our legal experience and ability to win wrongful death cases on behalf of our clients. Robert Munley III, Caroline Munley, and Marion Munley are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for their considerable settlements won to date. All of our partners have been named the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, with Marion Munley and Daniel Munley named to the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, Caroline Munley named to the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania lists, J. Christopher Munley featured as one of the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers. Mackenzie Wilson is listed as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys in Pennsylvania.
All five partners hold AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, and Daniel Munley has won the organization’s Platinum Client Champion Award, with Caroline Munley receiving the Silver Client Champion Award.
Eight of our lawyers are listed as Super Lawyers, with Marion Munley named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers lists. All Munley attorneys have also been honored by Best Lawyers, including Marion Munley as Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation, Daniel Munley as Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, J. Christopher Munley as Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation, and our firm as one of the US’s Best Law Firms.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer at Munley Law
The aftermath of a terrible loss can be overwhelming. We know the heartache and pain you are experiencing. We are dedicated to the compassionate representation of families who have suffered devastating losses due to wrongful death. Let us handle the paperwork, phone calls, and legal battle so that you can recover from your loss in peace.
At Munley Law, we understand the emotional and financial distress you face after losing a loved one. We believe you deserve justice, and cost shouldn’t stand in the way of that. That’s why we only collect a fee – a percentage of the settlement or verdict – if we win your case. You don’t pay anything upfront or out of pocket; if we cannot get you the justice you deserve, you pay nothing. And, our fee will never exceed the amount paid to you.
Wrongful death is a legal issue you do not want to tackle alone. Contact Munley Law today to speak to someone about your case.
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.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
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