Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Lawyers

When a family member dies unexpectedly because of an accident or suspected negligence, the people left behind may have questions about what happened, who was responsible, and whether the death could have been prevented.

Pisanchyn Law Firm represents families throughout Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Western Pennsylvania in wrongful death cases involving fatal accidents and negligence.

Our Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyers can investigate the circumstances surrounding a death, preserve available evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and help families understand their legal options.

When Can a Death Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim may arise when negligence or other legally actionable conduct results in a person’s death.

Potential cases can involve:

• Car accidents
• Tractor-trailer crashes
• Motorcycle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Construction accidents
• Workplace incidents involving third parties
• Dangerous properties
• Defective products
• Nursing home or group home negligence
• Other preventable fatal injuries

Determining whether negligence contributed to a death may require an investigation separate from those conducted by insurance companies, employers, or other organizations.

Why an Independent Investigation Can Matter

Important evidence may exist immediately after a fatal accident but become unavailable later.

Depending upon what occurred, evidence may include:

• Police and incident reports
• Photographs and video
• Surveillance footage
• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Vehicle information
• Electronic records
• Maintenance records
• Employment or company records
• Expert analysis

Our attorneys can work to determine what evidence exists and whether it supports a claim on behalf of the family.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?

Pennsylvania law determines how wrongful death and related claims are pursued and how any recovery may be distributed.

The appropriate process depends upon the family’s circumstances and the deceased person’s estate.

Our attorneys can explain who may have authority to pursue the claim and what steps may be necessary.

Wrongful Death and Survival Claims

Pennsylvania law recognizes different types of claims that can arise following a person’s death.

A wrongful death claim focuses on certain losses resulting from the death, while a survival claim involves rights the deceased person may have had if they had survived.

Which claims apply and what damages may be recoverable depend upon the circumstances.

What Losses May Be Considered?

A fatal accident can create both financial and personal losses for a family.

Depending upon the case and applicable law, recoverable damages may involve medical and funeral expenses, financial support, services the deceased person provided to the family, and other legally recognized losses.

The value and nature of every wrongful death case are different.

Fatal Car and Truck Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are a significant source of wrongful death claims.

Commercial truck accidents can be especially complex because responsibility may extend beyond the driver to a trucking company or other business.

Vehicle data, electronic records, witnesses, surveillance footage, trucking records, and accident reconstruction may help establish how a fatal collision occurred.

Wrongful Death Caused by Medical Negligence

A patient’s death following medical treatment does not automatically mean malpractice occurred.

When negligent medical care is suspected, the case may require extensive medical records and review by qualified medical professionals to determine whether the applicable standard of care was violated and whether that failure contributed to the death. When a death involves labor and delivery, our Pittsburgh birth injury lawyers can review the medical records.

Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Attorneys

Pisanchyn Law Firm represents families throughout Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Western Pennsylvania.

Pisanchyn Law Firm
241 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-261-1212

Pittsburgh Wrongful Death FAQs

How long does a family have to file a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania? In most cases, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death. Some claims, including those against government entities, involve earlier notice requirements, so families should not wait to get answers.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania? The claim is generally brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate on behalf of certain family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents. If no personal representative files within six months of the death, a family member entitled to recover may be able to bring the action.

Can we file a wrongful death claim if criminal charges are pending? Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil case, separate from any criminal prosecution, and it can move forward whether or not the at-fault person is charged or convicted. The civil case also uses a different standard of proof than a criminal case.

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney? The consultation is free and confidential, and there is no fee unless we win. Call 412-261-1212 or 1-800-444-5309.

Speak With a Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Lawyer

You do not need to know whether you have a wrongful death case before contacting us.

If your family has questions about a fatal accident or suspected negligence, Pisanchyn Law Firm can review what happened and determine whether further investigation may be appropriate. Request a free, confidential case evaluation.

Call 412-261-1212 or 1-800-444-5309 for a free, confidential consultation.

For wrongful death matters accepted on a contingency-fee basis, there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.