A Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer can help families seek compensation when negligence leads to the death of a loved one. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our legal team combines more than seven decades of experience with a proven track record of successful verdicts and settlements in the Lehigh Valley. Among our victories are $3.9 million and $2.74 million awards for wrongful death.
All our attorneys are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and our partners received AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. The National Trial Lawyers also named them among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and we are routinely honored by the American Association for Justice, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and other organizations.
We handle all aspects of wrongful death claims, from investigating the circumstances and determining liability to negotiating with insurance companies and proceeding to trial when necessary. While we pursue maximum compensation, we also provide compassionate guidance to help your family through this difficult process.
Contact us for a free consultation with a wrongful death lawyer to discuss your wrongful death claim and learn how we can help protect your family’s future.
What is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of action brought by the survivors or estate of a deceased person against the party or parties responsible for that person’s death. A wrongful death lawsuit is intended to compensate the surviving family members of the deceased for their losses (economic and otherwise) resulting from their loved one’s death. A wrongful death lawsuit will also hold the negligent party accountable and help to discourage future wrongdoing that could lead to loss of life.
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 8301, a “wrongful death” is brought about by “the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.” This may include accidents caused by negligence, medical malpractice, or a criminal act.
It is important to note that a wrongful death lawsuit can be much more complicated than other types of personal injury cases, like a car accident or a slip and fall. Proving damages in these cases will require expert testimony and knowledgeable legal counsel. This is why you must have the right wrongful death lawyer.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Who Can File and Who Can Recover in a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Case
In Pennsylvania, it’s important to distinguish between who files the lawsuit and who actually recovers compensation. They are not always the same people.
Who files. A wrongful death action is brought by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate — the executor named in the will, or an administrator appointed by the court (Pa.R.C.P. 2202). If the personal representative does not file within six months of the death, any eligible beneficiary may then file the action on behalf of everyone entitled to recover.
Who recovers (wrongful death). Under Pennsylvania’s Wrongful Death Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8301), the people entitled to share in a wrongful death recovery are limited to the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents. These damages compensate the family for their losses, such as lost financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, and funeral and burial costs. Siblings and other relatives are not wrongful death beneficiaries and do not share in this recovery, even if a sibling serves as the executor who files the case.
The survival action (a separate claim). Pennsylvania also allows a survival action under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8302, brought by the personal representative on behalf of the estate. It recovers what the deceased themselves lost, such as the pain and suffering they experienced before death and their lost future earnings. Survival-action proceeds pass through the estate, so they are distributed under the will or Pennsylvania’s intestacy rules. This is the route through which a sibling or other heir may ultimately receive a share, not as a wrongful death beneficiary, but as an heir of the estate.
Most fatal-injury cases are pursued as both a wrongful death claim and a survival action at the same time. A Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer can identify which claims apply and who is entitled to recover in your family’s situation.
What are the Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Bethlehem, PA?
Common causes of wrongful death in Bethlehem range from workplace accidents in the region’s industrial facilities to medical errors and traffic collisions on Route 378 and I-78. At Munley Law, we handle wrongful death claims arising from construction site accidents, trucking crashes, dangerous premises conditions, and medical malpractice. Our experience investigating these complex cases helps us identify all liable parties and build strong claims for families seeking justice.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common causes of wrongful death claims. Every year, over 32,000 people are killed in auto crashes. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), 70,343 passenger cars and 98,529 light trucks, vans, and SUVs were involved in accidents in 2024, resulting in 315 and 337 occupant fatalities, respectively. Auto accidents involving cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks are among the leading causes of preventable death in the United States and Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately, many traffic accidents are preventable. Other people’s negligence and carelessness often cause fatal accidents. Some common factors in these accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
The Bethlehem fatal car accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys also represent families whose loved ones were killed in a motorcycle crash, pedestrian accident, or a car crash with an Uber or Lyft driver.
Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Due to the size and weight of large trucks, truck accidents often result in life-changing injuries or death. PennDOT reported that 7,312 heavy trucks were involved in accidents in 2024, resulting in 22 occupant fatalities. The Lehigh Valley sees heavy truck traffic due to its central location between major cities and its industrial development in recent years. If your loved one was killed in an accident involving a tractor trailer, tanker truck, 18-wheeler, or other large truck, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
For your case to succeed, you will need a specific type of lawyer – one whose practice is based in commercial truck cases. The Bethlehem truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have represented numerous families who lost a loved one in a truck crash. We know the complex regulations that govern common carriers and commercial transportation companies, and we have won millions of dollars in wrongful death claims.
Medical Malpractice
Medical mistakes are one of the leading causes of wrongful death nationwide. The Lehigh Valley is home to some of the best hospitals and healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania, but medical malpractice can happen anywhere. According to the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, 30 medical malpractice cases were filed in Lehigh County, and 14 cases were filed in Northampton County in 2024. A few examples of potentially deadly mistakes that can lead to a wrongful death claim include:
- Delayed or missed diagnosis
- Failure to treat a medical condition
- Surgical errors
- Medication errors
- Anesthesia errors
If your loved one died at St. Luke’s, Lehigh Valley Health Network, or another local facility and you believe negligence was to blame, a Bethlehem medical malpractice lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help investigate.
Defective Products
Harmful products like dangerous drugs, defective auto parts, and carcinogenic substances can result in wrongful death. However, proving these cases can be challenging, especially because they often involve large corporate entities and aggressive defense firms. This is why it is important to have a Bethlehem product liability attorney with experience taking on large companies and winning significant settlements.
According to a U.S. Public Interest Research Group report, 869 people were injured, and 15 were killed by recalled products, while 10 others were killed by products where the manufacturers wouldn’t agree to a recall in 2024.
Premises Liability
Slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, negligent security, and other hazards on private or public property can result in wrongful death. Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property and keep it free from hazards that could harm lawful visitors and patrons. This includes landlords, business owners, hotels, Airbnbs, entertainment venues, and more. If your family member suffered a fatal injury on unsafe premises, a Bethlehem wrongful death attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you.
Wrongful Death from a Workplace Injury in Bethlehem
If your loved one was killed on the job in Bethlehem, PA, a different set of rules will apply. Families of employees who suffer fatal workplace accidents may collect workers’ compensation death benefits to cover the cost of burial and the deceased person’s lost wages. You do not need to file a wrongful death lawsuit to claim these benefits.
However, you may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent third party if someone other than your loved one’s employer was to blame. For example, if your loved one was a truck driver who was killed in a crash while on the job, you would be able to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver who caused the crash in addition to collecting workers’ comp death benefits.
Some occupations are more dangerous than others, but we represent workers in all industries who suffer fatal injuries while doing their jobs. These include truck drivers, law enforcement, healthcare workers, construction workers, gas and drilling employees, municipal workers, and more.
If you have lost a loved one due to any of these factors, you need a highly skilled Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer to help you secure adequate compensation and deliver some justice. We know it’s not easy and that you can’t put a price on life, but we can help you take care of the financial challenges you are now going through.
How Do We Determine Liability in a Bethlehem Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The basis of every wrongful death case in the Lehigh metro area and throughout Pennsylvania is negligence or carelessness. There has to be proof that a person or an entity was responsible for the demise of your relative. In Lehigh Valley, PA, the representative of the deceased’s estate can bring a wrongful death action against the at-fault party on behalf of the surviving family.
Ultimately, who is liable in a wrongful death case will depend on the nature of the individual case. If your family member died in a car crash, the at-fault driver can be named a defendant in a wrongful death case. If a tractor trailer accident leads to wrongful death, the driver and the transportation company can be liable. If your loved one died from a medical mistake, the doctor, specialist, or hospital system responsible for their treatment can be held responsible.
What Essential Elements Must We Prove in Bethlehem Wrongful Death Cases?
As in other personal injury cases, your Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer will need to prove the following essential elements:
- Duty: The defendant owed your deceased family member a duty of care. In auto accidents, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and in accordance with traffic laws. In medical malpractice cases, duty is established by the existence of a doctor-patient relationship and by the standards of the medical profession.
- Breach: The defendant breached their duty. We must show that the driver was reckless, speeding, or otherwise failed to act with reasonable caution; or that their doctor failed to uphold the standard of care for their area of practice.
- Causation: The defendant’s negligence (or “breach”) directly caused your loved one’s fatal injuries.
- Damages: As a result of these facts, surviving family members suffered economic and non-economic damages from the loss of your loved one.
To win a wrongful death case, you will need a highly skilled and experienced Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer on your side. The wrongful death attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have successfully achieved justice for thousands of families in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Bethlehem Wrongful Death Lawyer?
When you hire Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, you know your case is in the right hands. Equipped with an advanced team of investigators, expert witnesses, and industry specialists, we are able to work on your case and find every shred of evidence that’s linked to the person or company’s negligence. Our attorneys have more than 250 years of combined legal experience. Four of them, namely Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey, are board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
We’ve received numerous accolades from various legal organizations. Our firm is honored every year by Best Law Firms, and all our partners have been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list and to the Irish Legal 100 list. They’ve also received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ratings (AV Preeminent).
Best Law Firms named Marion Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation, Daniel Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, and J. Christopher Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation. The National Trial Lawyers named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania and named Caroline Munley among the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. Some of our attorneys are members of invitation-only organizations such as the International Society of Barristers, Litigation Counsel of America, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Summit Council. We’ve secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for clients, such as $3.9 million, $2.74 million, and $1.6 million settlements for wrongful death.
What’s more, we always work on contingency, so we don’t charge you until we’ve concluded your case and secured a settlement.
Don’t wait any longer to get in touch with us. Call to speak to an experienced Bethlehem wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
What Damages Can You Claim in a Bethlehem Wrongful Death Case?
In Pennsylvania, there is no cap on damages in a wrongful death case. Wrongful death damages can include economic and non-economic losses. While no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, financial compensation can provide a measure of security for your family’s future and relieve the financial pressures you face during this time.
Economic damages include loss of income, medical expenses, and funeral and burial expenses.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of protection, guidance, and counsel.
Your lawyer will take all your losses into account when calculating the amount of compensation to pursue.
What is a Survival Action?
A survival action is similar to a personal injury and wrongful death claim. Through a survival action, the representative of the deceased’s estate can seek compensation for the pain and suffering the decedent experienced due to the defendant’s actions. A survival action can also seek compensation for the decedent’s medical bills and other losses. In effect, a survival action allows surviving family members to sue on behalf of their loved one.
Is Wrongful Death the Same As Personal Injury in Bethlehem, PA?
Even though wrongful death and personal injury situations are similar, they’re different in one fundamental way: the person who initiates legal action.
In personal injury cases, the suit is filed by the person who was injured by the negligent party. In wrongful death cases, however, Pennsylvania law requires the executor of the deceased’s estate or another appointed representative to bring the lawsuit against the person or organization believed to be responsible for the death of their family member.
In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the date of death (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). A survival action carries the same two-year deadline. Missing it usually ends the right to recover, so it’s important to act well before the deadline. However, contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is best to ensure your case is prepared and filed promptly.
We know that all the varying rules and regulations may be confusing. If you need more clarification, contact Munley Law to speak to a Bethlehem wrongful death attorney.
Bethlehem Wrongful Death FAQs
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Bethlehem, PA?
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate (the executor or court-appointed administrator). If the personal representative doesn’t file within six months of the death, an eligible beneficiary may file on behalf of everyone entitled to recover.
Who Can Recover Damages in a Bethlehem Wrongful Death Claim?
The people who actually recover wrongful death damages, though, are limited by law (42 Pa. C.S. § 8301) to the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents. Other relatives, including siblings, are not wrongful death beneficiaries, though they may inherit a share of a separate survival action (42 Pa. C.S. § 8302) through the estate.
Do I Need a Bethlehem Wrongful Death Attorney?
After the loss of your loved one, filing a wrongful death claim can seem daunting. The insurance company of the person or company responsible for your loved one’s death may reach out to you to offer a settlement without you having to take any action. After all, it seems very clear they were at fault and should pay. However, this is a tactic insurers can use to settle claims for much less than the families of the deceased deserve. In other situations, you could end up with nothing if you attempt to represent yourself.
Never accept an offer of settlement without speaking with a Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer first.
What is the Difference Between an Executor and Power of Attorney?
After the death of a loved one, two terms you will hear used frequently include “executor” and “power of attorney.” If your loved one died due to negligence, you’ll learn that the representative or executor of the deceased person’s estate must file the wrongful death claim. This can cause some confusion if the person who held power of attorney is not the named executor of the estate.
The executor, usually named in a will, is responsible for handling financial and other matters after a person dies. Power of attorney, on the other hand, assigns certain decision-making power to another individual on behalf of the person while they are still alive.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania generally gives you two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, and a survival action carries the same deadline. Because evidence fades and the deadline is strict, it’s best to speak with a lawyer well before it approaches.
Contact a Top-Rated Bethlehem Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is a prominent legal firm experienced in wrongful death cases. Every Bethlehem wrongful death lawyer on our team is entirely committed to securing your best outcomes. Our results speak for themselves. We can and will fight for your rights and fair compensation.
Contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free initial consultation with a wrongful death attorney in Bethlehem.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is a highly compassionate and driven wrongful death lawyer. Knowledgeable in various fields of personal injury law, Marion has extensive experience pursuing wrongful death claims of all kinds. Marion has delivered multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in cases involving wrongful death, including a $17.5 Million Jury verdict in a teen’s death caused by a car accident and a $1.4 million settlement in an ER wrongful death case. Marion is also highly accredited, being one of the very few to become Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a Lawdragon 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee.
