How to Prove Wrongful Death in Pennsylvania
The heartbreak and grief following the loss of a loved one can be literally overwhelming. The survivors are having enough trouble simply making arrangements without the thought of any type of legal claim. Nonetheless, a wrongful death claim may be critical to their futures. These survivors, such as spouses and children, may be dependent on the deceased person’s financial compensation.
If you have lost a loved one caused by some type of accident, for example, a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, or even medical malpractice, you’ll need a Stroudsburg wrongful death lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, all of whom are skilled negotiators and experienced trial attorneys.
Who is Allowed to Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Pennsylvania, wrongful death claims can only be brought by the “personal representative” of the estate. The personal representative may be an executor who was named in the deceased person’s will or another qualified person who will administer the estate, commonly a family member. Pennsylvania law provides the rules for determining and assigning personal representatives, who must be approved by the court.
The personal representative files the claim on behalf of the eligible beneficiaries to whom any settlement or lawsuit compensation will be distributed. In Pennsylvania, the only relatives that are eligible to be beneficiaries are the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person. Even these survivors must demonstrate that they sustained financial damage as a result of the death.
Let Us Help You With Your Wrongful Death Claim
Wrongful death claims are difficult in many aspects and are fraught with deep emotions and life-altering concerns. If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, contact a Stroudsburg wrongful death lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis for your free consultation, either online or at . We’ll handle your legal claim so that you have time to make arrangements and grieve appropriately.