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Recovering Compensation For A Wrongful Death

The loss of a loved one is one of the most traumatic experiences any family will endure. When a loved one’s death is caused by preventable circumstances such as someone else’s negligent or intentional acts, carelessness or aggression, a surviving spouse or other family members may experience anger and confusion in addition to immense grief.

Unfortunately, during such difficult times, a deceased individual’s family must also think about pursuing their legal rights to restore justice through monetary damages. Pennsylvania wrongful death laws provide only a short period of time in which a grieving widow or family may bring a wrongful death claim against whomever is responsible for the death of their loved one. Failure to take prompt action could jeopardize a potential wrongful death claim.

What Types Of Damages Can Be Awarded In A Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claim?

Recoverable damages in wrongful death suits can include the financial support that the deceased family member would have contributed to the household. Other damages our experienced Philadelphia wrongful death attorneys may seek to include:

  • Direct costs such as medical bills and funeral expenses
  • Loss of pension or retirement benefits the deceased would have received but for the wrongful death
  • Loss of future earnings the deceased would have earned
  • Compensation for the mental pain and suffering of the survivors, also known as loss of companionship
  • Punitive damages that a jury might assess the defendant for his or her action that resulted in the death

How Much Is My Wrongful Death Claim Worth?

In a Pennsylvania wrongful death case, a jury may award damages that it finds fair and just in relation to the injury to the deceased’s loved ones. However, the calculation of the damages you should seek is a complicated process that can best be achieved with the assistance of a skilled wrongful death attorney at Schmidt, Kirifides & Rassias. We will help you sort through the meaning of terms like “present value,” “future losses,” “life expectancy tables,” “reasonable interest rate,” or “discounted value.” We can explain how wrongful death damages are distributed in cases with more than one beneficiary under Pennsylvania law.

How Do I Know If I Have A Wrongful Death Claim?

Wrongful death claims may arise out of a number of circumstances such as medical mistakes, motor vehicle accidents, workplace hazards and defective products. Because compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one is based in large part on his or her financial contribution to the family, as well as how survivors have been affected emotionally, it is important to enlist the help of an experienced attorney when considering a Pennsylvania wrongful death action.

The death of a family member, whether in a workplace accident or as the result of an illness caused by occupational hazards, is one of the most horrific events a family can face. No amount of money will ever come close to compensating your family for the loss of a loved one due to a fatal accident at work. The pain and loss associated with a sudden death after an injury at work can leave a family feeling lost, angry and confused. A workers’ compensation claim is one way a family can seek assistance from the deceased family member’s employer.

The workers’ compensation attorneys at Schmidt, Kirifides & Rassias represent families in fatal work accident claims against employers. Our lawyers can help secure benefits and money damages to replace a loved one’s lost income and secure your financial future. In some cases the actual employer is not at fault for a fatal accident on the job, but the employee’s death happens at work because of defective equipment manufactured or installed by a third party. Whether or not an employer is at fault, family members may still be entitled to workers’ compensation survivor benefits.

We Will Protect Your Family’s Interests After Your Loss

Our attorneys blend substantial legal experience with a unique perspective of the insurance industry to provide confident representation to people dealing with the loss of a loved one. Call today for a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at 610-601-5399 or contact us online.

Nothing can replace your loss, but at the personal injury law firm of Schmidt, Kirifides & Rassias we will support you in enduring this tragedy, and we will pursue financial compensation for your loved one’s surviving dependents.