Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawyers
When a preventable death is caused by negligence or wrongful conduct, a family may face grief, financial uncertainty, unanswered questions, and a legal process they never expected to navigate.
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$100M+Settled for clients
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How Our Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help
Wrongful death claims require careful investigation of how the death occurred, who may be legally responsible, what insurance or assets are available, and which losses can be pursued under Pennsylvania law.
Pisanchyn Law Firm works to preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, coordinate with the estate and family, and document the financial and personal consequences of the loss.
- How the death occurred and who may be responsible
- Police, medical, workplace, product, property, or other investigative records
- Estate and family circumstances relevant to the claim
- Insurance coverage, economic losses, and other potentially recoverable damages
Tell Us What Happened
Free consultation. Tell us what happened and we’ll review the next steps with you.
Fatal Vehicle Crashes
Car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and commercial-vehicle collisions can lead to wrongful death claims.
Workplace Fatalities
Construction, industrial, transportation, and other work-related deaths may involve workers’ compensation and separate third-party issues.
Medical Negligence
Fatal diagnostic, surgical, medication, birth, or hospital errors may require expert medical review.
Unsafe Property
Dangerous conditions, fires, carbon monoxide, drowning incidents, and other property-related hazards can cause fatal injuries.
Defective Products
Unsafe vehicles, equipment, consumer products, or medical devices may require product and engineering investigation.
Catastrophic Injury Deaths
Some claims arise after a period of hospitalization or treatment following a severe injury.
More Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Resources
Explore specific fatal-injury issues already covered across our site.
What Happens in a Wrongful Death Investigation?
The evidence and legal issues depend heavily on how the death occurred. Early preservation can matter in vehicle, workplace, medical, property, and product cases.
- Preserve available reports, photographs, video, witness information, and relevant documents.
- Avoid discarding vehicles, products, equipment, clothing, or other physical evidence without legal guidance.
- Keep funeral, medical, employment, insurance, and household financial records.
- Identify estate documents and the family members affected by the death.
- Be cautious about releases or settlement paperwork before the responsible parties and available coverage are understood.
- Have potential claims reviewed promptly because different defendants and claim types may involve different deadlines or notice requirements.
Wrongful death cases involve both legal and deeply personal issues. The investigation should be thorough without forcing a family to repeatedly relive the event unnecessarily.
A Wrongful Death Claim Is About More Than Immediate Bills
The financial effect of a death can include lost income, services, benefits, medical expenses, funeral costs, and long-term changes to a household and family.
What Damages May Be Available in a Wrongful Death Case?
The categories of damages and who may recover them depend on Pennsylvania law, the estate, family relationships, and the facts of the case.
- Medical expenses related to the fatal injury
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income and financial contributions
- Loss of household services
- Estate-related damages when legally available
- Losses suffered by qualifying family members
- Other damages permitted by Pennsylvania law
- Related survival-action damages when applicable
Serving Scranton, Harrisburg & Pittsburgh
Our statewide practice is supported by offices in Northeastern, Central, and Western Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Wrongful Death FAQs
Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania?
Wrongful death and survival claims involve specific estate and family rules. The proper claimant depends on the circumstances and applicable law.
Is wrongful death the same as a survival action?
They are related but distinct claims with different purposes and categories of damages. Both may arise from the same fatal event.
What types of incidents can lead to wrongful death claims?
Vehicle crashes, medical negligence, workplace incidents, dangerous property, defective products, and many other forms of negligence may lead to a fatal claim.
What if there is also a criminal investigation?
A civil claim can involve different legal standards and goals. The existence of a criminal investigation does not necessarily determine the civil case.
How soon should a fatal incident be investigated?
Prompt investigation can be important because physical evidence, video, commercial records, and witness recollections may not remain available indefinitely.
Wrongful Death Attorney Services
PROUDLY SERVING PITTSBURGH HARRISBURG SCRANTON & ALL SURROUNDING AREAS
Wrongful Death Attorneys
When a loved one dies unexpectedly it is the most difficult time imaginable. This difficult time is magnified especially when another person has caused the death of the loved one due to a fatal accident or injury. Most of the time, there are questions that aren’t answered. Making the difficult time even worse, more often than not, the person who caused the wrongful death may not even be remorseful.
Our Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys will get you the answers to these questions and the justice you deserve from the person who has injured your loved one. We will make sure that the individual or company will not be able to do this to another person. They will pay for the pain they have caused both you and your loved ones.
HOW CAN A WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEY HELP
When a person dies as a result of someone else’s negligence there are at least 2 causes of action that can be filed. The first is a wrongful death suit and the other is a survival action.
- A wrongful death suit is filed against the group or corporation accountable for causing injury to another person. The primary goal of the tort is to provide relief to the plaintiff and deter the defendant from inflicting further harm to others.
- The Pennsylvania Survival Act allows the deceased’s estate to recover any damages the deceased would have provided to their family had he or she lived, including earnings; medical and funeral expenses; estate administration expenses; survivor’s emotional pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
RECORD OF SUCCESS
$2.9 million to the father of a 16-year-old girl who committed suicide in 2015 while she resided at the Bethany Children’s Home. A jury found Bethany Children’s Home negligent for not properly supervising the young woman, resulting in her leaving the campus unsupervised – despite the law requiring her to be supervised off the grounds while under their care.
Read more about this case:
$6.5 million settlement to the family of man killed by rock crusher after falling into it. Fellow employees at B.S. Quarries Inc. testified that they were instructed to climb over the mouth of the crusher – a clear safety violation – and this caused the man’s death. The employee further stated that a meeting was held instructing employees to say they did not see how Sherwood fell into the machine.
Read more about this case:
$3.1 million to a family whose loved one passed away as a result of a group home’s “Outrageous Conduct.” The special needs woman was a passenger in Hope Enterprise’s van when she suffered a liver laceration in a collision. She was not taken to the hospital until the next day for a previously scheduled appointment. Even as our client’s health deteriorated, Hope Enterprise’s staff failed to alert medical providers of the cause of her injuries, prolonging her pain and suffering for three more days until she sadly passed away.We took this matter to trial and a jury awarded over $3.1 million to the estate of our client, showing that the community will not stand for negligent acts resulting in the loss of a life.
Read more about this case:
How Our PA Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help You!
We have prosecuted numerous cases of this nature and can honestly pledge to you, without any equivocation, we will do everything possible to make completely sure that you and your loved one get the justice you deserve. Remember, our services to you are free until we win your case and even then, you never pay out of pocket, we will only be paying you the money you deserve.
Please, call our PA wrongful death accident lawyers now toll free at 1-800-444-5309 for your free consultation.
Our Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys care for you the person while also representing you the client.
When you or a loved one suffers an injury due to someone else’s negligence who you turn to for legal advice and representation matters. The Pisanchyn Law Firm’s Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys will represent you skillfully, compassionately, and most of all, aggressively.
Our lawyers, staff, and paralegals are specially trained to guide you and help you through each step of your injury case. We have the resources, including premiere doctors and other experts around the country, to not only handle your case but also give it and you the personal attention and care both deserve. Call 1-800-444-5309 or fill out this form for a free consultation now!
I rate the Pisanchyn law firm five stars if I had a way to rate them 100 stars I would they were so kind so helpful and so caring in a very scary time of my life. I don’t know what I would’ve done without Mr. Pisanchyn and his staff. No matter what I needed they were there morning, noon, or night Mr.Pisanchyn was even kind enough to give me his own personal cell phone number in case I ever needed him day or night. This is the second time I’ve used his law firm and I will use him 100 more Times. I fully recommend his law firm to anyone and everyone in need of a good defense lawyer. I’ve already recommended him at least a dozen times and everyone I told to use his law firm has been more than satisfied. Some of them even called me and said thank you for recommending him. Thank you so much mike for everything you did for me and my family.
– JESSICA
Nine years ago I was in a nasty car accident and didn’t know where to turn, with a lot of luck I ended up calling Mike to represent me. It was the best thing I ever did. He never treated me like a client, I made a friend. The friendship extended to the entire office. He did exactly what he said he would. Then 3 years ago my husband got hurt at work and we never thought twice on who to call. By this time Mike had taken on other partners in the firm. Keith, who handled the workers comp case and Lee who took care of the SSI. I don’t know what others are talking about it taking so much time or so much hastle~~~both ended up settling much sooner than we ever expected. The entire firm works together, from the attorneys to the entire staff. I really think that is part of what makes this law firm the best ever.
– DEBBIE N.
Best man around and he’s not afraid to take anyone or problem on and he is Wonderful with children he was great with my daughter.
– ANTHONY
Thank you for everything you have done to help our boys. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
-FRANK AND JOAN
John and I want to thank you for all you have done for us. We know all of you put a lot of time and work in on our case and for that we are very thankful. You have the nicest friendliest people working there. Mara has been so nice to us. We especially want to thank Doug. We spent many hours talking with him and found him to be very personable.
– MIKE
The Pisanchyn Law Firm is in touch with local affairs and contacted us to say, “I heard about your situation. I AM YOUR attorney.” With aggressive, honorable, and knowledgeable representation, they have also met our pain with consolation… I will never forget the day my attorney called. Trust is the new game in the legal community, the Pisanchyn Law Firm wrote the book on accountability and Justice….CALL THEM.
– ROSITA
This was a long process however I know some take a lot longer so thank you for that! I’m thrilled to get my life back. Thank you all for encouraging me when I needed it and your patience with my phone calls! Bravo for the great job you have done.
– DOREEN
I love this law firm, they helped me get my social security when no one else could, thank you!
– MARILYN
I love this law firm, they helped me get my social security when no one else could, thank you!
– MARILYN
Your entire firm, especially Attorney Bradley Moyer and Attorney Douglas Yazinski, have done an admirable job with my case and I am indebted to you for your work, kindness and your patience with me. Thank you all so much.
– ROSE
Thank you so much for all you’ve done to help us through this difficult time. It’s been very much appreciated.
It is heartwarming to know that there are still good and honest people around. Thank you very much!
I cannot thank Doug enough for all of his help with my case.
– KENNETH
I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me. You are greatly appreciated. If I ever need a lawyer or know someone else who does I will pass along your name. Thanks again!
– KATHRYN
They helped me tremendously when I was going through Worker’s Compensation and a Settlement. There was no way I could have gone through it myself. Everyone was patient and professional with me and believe, I’m sure that was not easy. Everything was completely settled almost 13 months ago and I’m back on my feet and working once again. I absolutely recommend Pisanchyn Law Firm to anyone that needs help with a work injury or anything work related.
– BOB
People like you make it easy to be thankful. Thanks again!
– MARK
I would just like to thank everyone that helped settle my Workers’ Comp case, you were all so helpful. It meant a lot to me and helped me get my life back on track.
I can’t tell you how happy I am of the results from your office. I got wonderful, professional and extremely fast service for the situations I had. I will be using your office again if need be and telling everyone I know how hard it is to get results without your help.
– LUANN
Michael Pisanchyn
I am a hardworking, diligent, well-motivated person with a mission to complete and a promise to fulfill. I pledge to you should you honor me with yours or a loved one’s case, I will do everything in my power to make sure that those interests are completely satisfied. Further, I will represent you skillfully, compassionately and most of all aggressively.
Bradley D. Moyer
No one likes a bully. Yet, after a traumatic event in your life, that is exactly what the insurance company can seem like. Every day I fight zealously for my clients to get them the compensation they are entitled to, counsel them during a difficult period in their life, and protect my clients from those same bullies.
Douglas Yazinski
All attorneys can make promises, what separates our firm from the rest is the fact that we never stop working until you are completely satisfied and made whole again after a traumatic injury that was caused by someone else. Once I begin working on your case, the matter becomes personal to me. I always say, ‘I lose sleep so you don’t have to.
Steven Serra
Attorney Serra is an associate at the Pisanchyn Law Firm. He attended The Pennsylvania State University for his undergraduate studies where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences while majoring in Crime, Law, and Justice with a Political Science minor. While at The Pennsylvania State University, Attorney Serra maintained a job where he witnessed several co-workers suffer work related injuries and saw firsthand how these injuries affected their lives.
CATASTROPHIC INJURIES
A catastrophic injury is a severe injury to the spine, spinal cord, or brain, and may also include skull or spinal fractures, loss of limb, hearing or sight and fatalities.
CAR ACCIDENTS
After being involved in an accident, having experienced accident attorneys on your side is imperative. The car accident attorneys at the Pisanchyn Law Firm can help victims pursue the compensation they need to recover from their injuries and move forward with their lives.
TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENTS
If you or someone you love was recently injured in a tractor trailer accident, contacting an attorney can help you recover compensation for the expenses you are burdened with.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Many people assume that motorcycle accidents are the fault of the cyclist because of this bias against them. This cannot be farther from the truth.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
When a commercial vehicles cause severe accidents and injuries you or your loved one could receive compensation for your injuries.
WRONGFUL DEATH
When a commercial vehicles cause severe accidents and injuries you or your loved one could receive compensation for your injuries.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
It’s crucial that you speak to the Pisanchyn Law Firm’s medical malpractice attorneys immediately after you’ve been hurt. Many people don’t even know they have a potential medical malpractice claim, and thus lose the opportunity to pursue justice for their injuries.
BIRTH INJURIES
If your child is the victim of a health care provider who failed to exercise the required standard of care during his or her birth you don’t need just any Pennsylvania Birth Injury lawyer; you need a strong supportive individual who will fight aggressively and provide a voice for the innocent child that can’t.
PRODUCT LIABILITY
According to The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission, about 200-300 products are recalled each year, despite companies having an obligation to design and manufacture safe products. A defective product can be dangerous and put you at risk of a significant, or even catastrophic, injury.
SOCIAL SECURITY
If you have been denied social security benefits or believe you’re entitled to benefits, contact our Pennsylvania SSI/SSD attorneys immediately so that we can discuss your case in detail.
PREMISE LIABILITY
Premises liability cases aren’t as widely discussed as accidents but they can still cause serious, sometimes catastrophic, injuries that resonate for years.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers Compensation is a complex area of the law and having expert workers’ compensation legal help is the only way to guarantee you will be receiving any and all benefits owed to you.
Lost a Loved One Because of Negligence?
Tell us what happened. We can review the circumstances, responsible parties, available evidence, and the legal options that may be available to the family and estate.