Losing a family member to an accident or a violent act can be one of the most tragic things any individual experiences. Thankfully, in the state of Pennsylvania, individuals affected can file a wrongful death suit. Doing so potentially enables a person to be compensated for the death of their loved one.
However, not just anyone can file a wrongful death suit. In order to do so, you must have legal standing, which means that you are legally eligible to file such a suit. Competent legal counsel can help you make this determination.
Who can file a wrongful death suit?
According to the law, only a select group of people can file a wrongful death suit. These include the spouse or children of the deceased. In some cases, extended family, such as parents, siblings, or grandparents can file the suit. This depends on a variety of different circumstances that are best determined by your attorney.
A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by someone who has been identified as the personal representative of the deceased party’s estate. Indeed, such a lawsuit is technically brought on by the deceased party’s estate.
Wrongful death suits can help recover financial losses that occurred as a result of the death. The number cannot be determined by a guess, but most be determined by a variety of concrete factors. They can include a number of factors, including burial costs, medical costs, loss of lifetime wages and benefits, pain and suffering endured by the deceased, loss of companionship suffered by the spouse, and more. As you can see, this determination can be highly complex and complicated. This only serves as a greater reason that you should find legal counsel who is familiar with wrongful death laws.
Wrongful death lawsuits can be highly complex and complicated. If you are considering filing such a lawsuit, make sure to gather up all evidence and document any potential charges. Doing so can ultimately help lead to a more successful suit.
