Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyers
  • Hundreds of Millions

    Recovered for Clients

  • 40+ years

    of Combined Experience

  • Local

    Pittsburgh Attorneys

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

Our Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyers represent grieving families when negligence or misconduct causes the preventable death of a loved one. When someone's careless actions result in a fatal tragedy, our law firm fights to hold responsible parties accountable and secure the financial support families need during their darkest hour.

Common wrongful death cases:

  • Fatal errors in hospitals, surgical mistakes, and misdiagnoses

  • Drunk driving crashes, distracted driving fatalities, and intersection collisions

  • Construction accidents, industrial incidents, and safety violations

  • Faulty medical devices, dangerous pharmaceuticals, and recalled products

  • Falls from unsafe structures, drowning accidents, and security failures

  • Delivery room negligence causing infant or maternal death

  • Neglect, abuse, or inadequate medical care in care facilities

  • Crosswalk accidents and bike lane incidents throughout Pittsburgh

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Understanding the circumstances that lead to wrongful death helps families recognize when legal action may be appropriate. Our Pittsburgh wrongful death attorneys have handled cases involving every type of preventable death in Western Pennsylvania.

Leading causes we investigate:

  • Healthcare negligence

  • Motor vehicle negligence

  • Workplace safety violations

  • Product defects

Time is Critical in Wrongful Death Cases

Insurance companies begin protecting their interests immediately after a fatal accident. The longer the family waits to contact us, the harder it becomes to preserve evidence and secure full compensation for your family's losses.

Why swift action protects your rights:

  • Evidence Vanishes

    Accident scenes change, security footage gets overwritten, and witness memories fade within days.

  • Critical Details Disappear

    Hospital records, maintenance logs, and incident reports become harder to obtain over time.

  • Legal Deadlines Approach

    Pennsylvania gives families only 2 years to file wrongful death claims.

  • Insurance Tactics Begin

    Companies use delays to minimize settlements and shift blame away from their clients.

What to Do After a Wrongful Death in Pittsburgh

Losing a loved one to someone else's negligence creates overwhelming grief and confusion. Taking the right steps during this difficult time protects both your family's emotional well-being and legal rights to seek justice.

Immediate steps:

  • Contact Emergency Services

    • If the death occurred in an accident, ensure authorities are notified and medical personnel respond appropriately.

  • Preserve Evidence

    • Take photos of accident scenes, dangerous conditions, or defective products that may have contributed to the death.

  • Request Medical Records

    • Obtain complete copies of all hospital records, emergency room visits, and medical treatments related to the fatal incident.

  • Document Everything

    • Keep detailed records of funeral expenses, medical bills, and any correspondence with insurance companies or healthcare providers.

  • Avoid Quick Settlements

    • Insurance companies often offer immediate but inadequate settlements. Don't accept any offers without consulting one of our experienced lawyers.

  • Report to Authorities

    • File appropriate reports with police, workplace safety agencies, or medical licensing boards when negligence is suspected.

  • Contact Family

    • Notify immediate family members who may have legal standing to participate in wrongful death proceedings.

  • Consult Experienced Attorneys

    • Pennsylvania's strict deadlines make prompt legal action essential to preserve your family's right to compensation.

Understanding Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Laws

Pennsylvania's wrongful death statutes provide specific legal remedies for families who lose loved ones due to negligence or intentional misconduct. Our attorneys help families navigate these complex requirements to maximize their recovery.

Pennsylvania Legal Requirements

To pursue a wrongful death claim, families must prove four essential elements: the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty through negligent actions, directly caused the death, and created quantifiable damages for survivors.

Who Can File Claims

Pennsylvania law permits surviving spouses, dependent children, parents of unmarried adults or minors, and estate personal representatives to bring wrongful death actions on behalf of the deceased.

Statute of Limitations

Families have exactly two years from the date of death to file wrongful death lawsuits in Pennsylvania. This deadline is strictly enforced, making immediate legal consultation critical.

Survival Actions

Pennsylvania also allows estates to file "survival actions" for damages the deceased experienced from the time of injury until death, including pain, suffering, and medical expenses.

Compensation Available in Wrongful Death Cases

Our wrongful death attorneys fight for comprehensive compensation to support surviving family members.

Category Examples Key Factors Typical Settlement Range
Economic Damages
  • Lost future income
  • Medical bills before death
  • Funeral/burial costs
  • Loss of benefits/pension
  • Age of deceased
  • Earning capacity
  • Dependents
  • Career trajectory
$500,000–$2 million
Non-Economic Damages
  • Loss of companionship
  • Parental guidance
  • Spousal consortium
  • Emotional suffering of survivors
  • Relationship to deceased
  • Age of survivors
  • Family impact
$500,000–$3 million
Punitive Damages
  • Gross negligence
  • Drunk driving
  • Intentional harm
  • Egregious medical errors
  • Severity of misconduct
  • Defendant's conduct
  • Deterrent effect
$1 million–$5 million
Case-Specific Factors
  • Auto accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Workplace accidents
  • Defective products
  • Criminal acts
  • Liability clarity
  • Insurance coverage
  • Multiple defendants
Varies significantly

Disclaimer*

Wrongful death settlements vary greatly based on circumstances. Pennsylvania law limits who can recover. Contact our attorneys to discuss your family's rights and legal options.

Justice for Your Family

Contact us for a free consultation. We're here to help however we can.

Get Your Free Case Review

Why Choose Our Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Attorneys

After losing a loved one to negligence, your family deserves compassionate advocates who understand both the emotional devastation and complex legal challenges you face. Our Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyers combine sensitivity with aggressive representation to secure the justice your family needs.

  • Key differentiators:

  • Proven Wrongful Death Results

    Successful verdicts and settlements helping bereaved families recover millions in compensation, including substantial awards for medical malpractice and accident deaths.

  • Comprehensive Investigation

    Thorough examination of medical records, accident scenes, and expert testimony to identify all liable parties and maximize your family's recovery.

  • Compassionate Representation

    Understanding the grief process while providing strong legal advocacy that doesn't add stress to an already difficult situation.

  • Medical Expert Network

    Partnerships with respected physicians, accident reconstruction specialists, and economists who provide crucial testimony in complex wrongful death cases.

  • Trial Experience

    Skilled litigators prepared to take your case to court when insurance companies or defendants refuse fair settlement offers.

  • No Upfront Costs

    Contingency fee representation means your family pays nothing unless we achieve financial recovery for your wrongful death claim.

 Our Recent
Victories

  • West Virginia

    Successful Defense — No Liability

    Defended an industrial machinery manufacturer in multiple product liability lawsuits, resulting in zero findings of liability against our client.

  • Major U.S. Airport

    $20 Million Claim Representation

    Represented a government agency in a $20 million design and construction defect claim involving a multideck parking garage.

  • New York, NY

    Multimillion-Dollar Recovery

    Prosecuted a multimillion-dollar claim for property damage and lost income for the owner of a commercial office building damaged in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Results depend on specific circumstances. Past outcomes don't guarantee future results.

Our Personal
Injury Attorneys

Team Background
High Tower

How We Help Wrongful Death Families

When you choose our Pittsburgh wrongful death law firm, you receive comprehensive legal representation designed to secure maximum compensation while allowing your family to focus on healing and remembering your loved one.

Our legal process:

  • Compassionate Consultation

    Sensitive evaluation of your wrongful death case and honest assessment of potential compensation recovery during this difficult time.

  • Thorough Investigation

    Detailed review of medical records, accident reports, and witness statements while consulting with expert witnesses to build the strongest possible case.

  • Evidence Preservation

    Immediate action to secure crucial evidence before it disappears, including medical records, surveillance footage, and witness testimonies.

  • Insurance Negotiations

    Aggressive advocacy against insurance company tactics designed to minimize settlements and deny legitimate wrongful death claims.

  • Trial Advocacy

    When fair settlements aren't offered, we pursue full compensation in court to hold negligent parties accountable for your family's loss.

Client Testimonials

Visit Our Office in Pittsburgh

Serving Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania for over 22 years.

Our attorneys have been helping injury victims in Pittsburgh and across Western Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette Counties) for over two decades.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Attorneys Today

Don't let those responsible for your loved one's death escape accountability. Get the experienced legal representation your family deserves during this difficult time.

  • No fees unless we win

  • Available 24/7

  • Millions recovered for clients

  • Serving Pittsburgh since 1988

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