If you have lost a family member due to someone else’s negligence, you need a Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer to help with your case. At Munley Law, our top-rated wrongful death attorneys bring almost seven decades of experience representing families in the Philadelphia area.
Our wrongful death attorneys have fought for families in wrongful death cases involving all types of fatal accidents, and we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our personal injury clients’ losses. In recognition of our expertise in these cases, our attorneys have received five-star Google Reviews from clients and numerous awards and other honors from legal institutions such as Lawdragon, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Irish Legal 100, and the American Association for Justice.
We understand your situation and want you to know that we are here to help in any way we can. Our law firm will aggressively pursue fair compensation on your behalf so that you can focus on what matters most. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What is the Definition of Wrongful Death in Philadelphia, PA?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 8301, accidental or wrongful deaths occur when the negligent actions of another individual or entity cause a person’s demise. The negligent party could be a company, organization, or government. This type of death can occur in various situations in Philadelphia, such as:
- Medical malpractice
- Motor vehicle accidents where the other driver was negligent, including but not limited to cars, buses, and motorcycles
- Work-related injuries
- Nursing home negligence
- Violent crimes, like a gunshot wound
Losing a loved one can take an emotional toll on your entire family, and you shouldn’t have to deal with insurance companies and legal matters alone. A Philadelphia personal injury attorney will evaluate your situation, help you understand your options, and outline all your rights when filing a lawsuit in Philadelphia.
Who is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Philadelphia?
If you have lost a family member due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a wrongful death case or wrongful death lawsuit.
In Philadelphia, family members of the deceased can file a claim for wrongful death. Pennsylvania law classifies a death as wrongful when a person dies due to another’s actions that are considered negligent, wrongful, or violent.
Under 42 P.S.A. § 5524(2), Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations only gives you two years to file a wrongful death claim. You must consider the time it takes to build your case. Don’t hesitate to hire a Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer to fight on your behalf.
When To Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney In Philadelphia
A wrongful death claim can help you and your family obtain the financial compensation you need to cover funeral expenses, medical costs, any loss of income, and any other damages you may have suffered with the loss of your loved one. Your Philadelphia lawsuit also holds the negligent party responsible for the harm they caused. This helps get justice for the deceased and ensures other families won’t suffer from the same negligence.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Philadelphia can be a complicated process. Like other personal injury claims, you must demonstrate the following conditions when establishing negligence in a wrongful death case:
- The defendant owed the deceased a duty of reasonable care.
- There was a breach of that duty.
- The deceased suffered damage as a result of the breach.
- The breach in care caused the death of your loved one.
At Munley Law, our attorneys bring decades of experience to their clients. Our team has the resources to launch a full investigation into the wrongful death of the deceased person’s accident, including determining reasonable compensation for damages.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Munley Law has been helping wrongful death victims and their families in the Philadelphia region since 1959. We have the experience and resources to ensure you get the justice you deserve if a family member has passed due to someone’s negligence. From medical malpractice to auto accidents, wrongful deaths are life-altering incidents for any family to endure.
Let an experienced Munley Law wrongful death attorney ensure you get the compensation you deserve to keep your family afloat during this tragic time. We’ve secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for clients, such as $3.9 million and $2.74 million awards for wrongful death, helping them make ends meet and continue with their lives. Four of our attorneys are board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and all our lawyers are members of the American Association for Justice and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, while Martindale-Hubbell awarded them all AV Preeminent ratings. Some of our attorneys are also members of invitation-only organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates, Litigation Counsel of America, and the International Society of Barristers.
How Munley Law Can Help Your Wrongful Death Claim
While you are never required to seek legal representation to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Philadelphia, having attorneys with experience can make all the difference in preserving your case and bringing your family justice. Fortunately, Munley Law has the needed experience for your claim.
In many cases, the family of the deceased will be in shock and not think about the steps to take following the death of a loved one. However, some things should be done to ensure the integrity of the claim. This includes:
- Preserving any evidence
- Keeping a record of medical care and expenses
- Saving any written or recorded communications with the at-fault parties (for example, if the party leaves a voicemail, sends a letter, etc.)
- Securing witness testimony, if possible
In many cases, the at-fault party will try to remove or hide any evidence that shows the fault they have, which is why you need experienced attorneys to fight for you in the settlement phase or in the courtroom.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
If you are successful in winning your wrongful death lawsuit claim, then the negligent party will owe damages to the deceased person’s estate (or surviving family members). The deceased person’s family or estate may be eligible to seek compensation for things like:
- Funeral expenses, including burial
- Hospital and medical bills and expenses
- Estate planning
- Lost wages and benefits from the deceased person
- Loss of comfort and companionship
- Your family member’s lost income
- Loss of household services
- Mental anguish and suffering
- If applicable, any lost benefits such as health insurance, Social Security, and pension plans
Most benefits under Pennsylvania law are reserved for surviving family members of the deceased person seeking damages. This includes a spouse, children, and parents. However, if no direct relatives exist, the executor of the estate or other representative can still seek compensation to recover funeral or burial expenses, as well as medical expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Cases in Philadelphia, PA
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Pennsylvania, in the vast majority of cases, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death. If your loved one recently passed away, speaking with wrongful death attorneys now will help you secure just compensation as quickly as possible. If you are concerned that the statute of limitations may have expired, you should speak with an attorney to find out if you still have grounds to file a claim for wrongful death lawsuits.
For Accidental Deaths, Are Damages Limited to a Certain Amount?
Unlike other states, Pennsylvania has no limit on the amount of actual damages that can be awarded in such cases. This means that the amount awarded will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the case, such as the extent of the financial and emotional loss suffered by the family members as a result of the death.
What Are My Wrongful Death Cases Worth?
Unfortunately, no lawyer can tell you on a first consultation what the value of your wrongful death lawsuit is. This is because it will depend on the case’s specific facts, the number of losses incurred by the family, and overall expenses. This is one of many reasons why having wrongful death attorneys by your side can be critical to your claim’s success.
What Do I Need to Prove in a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In order to prove the wrongful death of a loved one, you will essentially be serving as a stand-in for the deceased, bringing forth a case against the negligent party. So this means that if your loved one died as a result of a workplace injury, you will need to prove that the conditions or event at work led to severe injuries and the resulting death.
If the deceased was killed in a Philadelphia car accident, you will need to prove that the negligence of the other driver resulted in your loved one’s death.
How Do You Establish Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim?
In a wrongful death case, just like any other personal injury claim, it is crucial to establish negligence. This means showing the following conditions:
- The defendant had a legal obligation to act responsibly and cautiously towards the deceased, owing them a duty of reasonable care.
- Despite this legal obligation, the defendant acted negligently or recklessly, breaching their duty of care.
- As a result of this breach of duty, the deceased suffered an accidental injury.
- It must be proven that the breach in care directly caused the death of your loved one. In other words, without the injury caused by the breach, the accidental death would not have occurred.
Establishing these facts can help you build a strong case for wrongful death and hold the responsible party accountable.
The Insurance Company Has Already Offered a Settlement. Should I Accept?
No, not without first speaking with experienced wrongful death attorneys. Unfortunately, the insurance company may be trying to take advantage of your sensitive situation. In most cases, when an insurance company offers a quick settlement, the offer is far less than the amount that is actually owed.
Get in Touch with Our Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyers
If you want more information about pursuing a wrongful death claim, please contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers.
There is no fee for our services unless we win your case.
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.
