Cranberry Township Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Attorney in Cranberry Township, PA

The unexpected death of a family member is never an easy thing to experience, but when their death resulted from the actions of another party, you are likely to have important legal questions that you will not be able to answer yourself. After losing a loved one in a fatal crash on I-76 or because of any other act of negligence, it is crucial to speak with a Cranberry Township area wrongful death lawyer right away to discuss your legal options.

Compassionate Wrongful Death Representation in Cranberry Township, PA

The attorneys at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, have more than 45 combined years of experience representing clients in Cranberry Township and the surrounding communities of western Pennsylvania in all types of personal injury cases. A wrongful death case is a type of personal injury case filed on behalf of a certain family members of fatally injured victims. Pennsylvania also provides for Survival claims to be filed on behalf of fatally injured victims who would have been eligible to file a personal injury case if they had survived.

Wrongful deaths can occur in many ways. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, and the National Safety Council reported that in 2023, 44,762 people died in vehicle accidents throughout the country. Defective products, nursing home negligence, and premises liability are a few other possible causes of wrongful deaths in the Cranberry Township area.

When you hire our firm to represent you in a wrongful death and survival case, we can carefully review the details of the fatal accident, help you identify the party or parties responsible for causing the victim’s death, and explain the Pennsylvania statutes that apply to your case. You have limited time to file a wrongful death case in Pennsylvania, so it’s important to hire a wrongful death lawyer at your first opportunity.

Proving Liability for a Wrongful Death in Cranberry Township

Proving liability for a wrongful death will typically require various forms of evidence, as well as witness testimony if anyone saw the fatal incident happen. The types of evidence you will need will depend on the nature of the incident. For example, proving fault for a fatal car accident may require drivers’ cell phone records, vehicle computer data, eyewitness statements, and police reports.

In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death and survival claim may be brought by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate or by one of their surviving beneficiaries who would be eligible to inherit their property under intestate succession laws, such as their surviving spouse, children, or parents. Success with a wrongful death case requires proving that the defendant directly caused the death through negligence or some type of illegal misconduct.

Claiming Compensation for Wrongful Death in Cranberry Township

Money cannot replace a lost family member, but a successful wrongful death and survival case can provide economic relief to the family during a very difficult time and account for the long-term financial impact of the victim’s death. Success with this case can also help the family have a sense of closure after a very difficult experience.

While the survival claim seeks compensation for the victim’s damages, a wrongful death claim aims to compensate the victim’s family. It’s possible for them to claim compensation for various economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Funeral and burial expenses. The family can seek reasonable compensation for the cost of funeral arrangements that align with the victim’s religious beliefs. If someone must cover these costs before the case is complete, they may be reimbursed once the case is finished.
• Damages to the estate of the deceased, such as any property damage the defendant caused, and the cost of the victim’s final medical expenses.
• Lost financial support. The family of the victim can seek compensation for the income the deceased will no longer provide for their family. It is also possible to claim compensation for the lost value of childcare and household services.
• Loss of consortium. The surviving spouse of the victim can seek compensation for their lost affection and companionship from their spouse.

When it comes to calculating the potential value of a wrongful death and survival case, it is important to remember that Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence statute. This means that if the victim is deemed to have contributed to causing their fatal accident, they could be assigned a fault percentage. If they are found less at fault than the defendant, the family can still recover compensation, but the victim’s fault percentage is subtracted from the case award.

How Your Cranberry Township Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help

The death of a family member can have dramatic effects on their surviving loved ones. When your family has experienced a wrongful death, you have a limited time to seek accountability and compensation for the losses the defendant has caused. You need to hire a wrongful death lawyer to help you meet the procedural deadlines for your case, and preserve the evidence you may need to prove liability.

Your Cranberry Township wrongful death lawyer can help you understand the steps you must complete to hold a defendant accountable for the fatal effects of their actions. The team at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, has a strong record of successful wrongful death representation in western Pennsylvania, and we are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome. We may be able to help you settle your case, but we are fully prepared to litigate if necessary.

When you have difficult legal questions you cannot answer for yourself after a family member’s unexpected death, it is imperative to consult an experienced attorney as quickly as you can. Our team is ready to assist you with every stage of your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney experienced in handling wrongful death and survival claims in Cranberry Township.