My Loved One Died, How Can I Make A Wrongful Death Claim?

Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience. This is particularly true if your loved one was killed due to the negligent actions of another person, business, or entity. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we have extensive experience and helping grieving families secure the compensation they deserve in these cases. Here, our Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers want to discuss how you can go about filing a wrongful death claim.

Steps for a wrongful death claim in Philadelphia

There are various steps a person can take in order to ensure their wrongful death claim has a maximum chance of securing compensation.

1. Talk to an attorney immediately

Family members who have lost a loved one due to a wrongful act will have a much better chance of success with their claim if they secure assistance from a wrongful death attorney in Philadelphia. Most grieving loved ones do not have the resources or legal experience necessary to properly pursue compensation in these cases. By involving an attorney early in the process, you can get a free consultation of your case. An attorney will be responsible for handling every aspect of the wrongful death claim, and will most likely take the case on a contingency fee basis, which means you will pay no legal fees until the attorney secures a successful settlement or verdict on your behalf.

2. The investigation

These cases usually require extensive investigation. An attorney will use their resources to:

  • Obtain all evidence related to the incident, including photo and video surveillance, eyewitness statements, accident reports, company or organization safety records, and more.
  • Work with trusted medical and economic experts to calculate your family’s total losses.
  • Negotiate with every party involved to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.

3. Remember the time limits

Every state is responsible for setting a statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. This is the time limit family members have to file a lawsuit. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is two years from the date of death. There are a few exceptions to this two-year limit, but generally, if a claim is made after the time limit expires, the case will be dismissed, and family members will be unable to secure compensation for their loss.

Let us help you with this case

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, company, or entity, you may be entitled to significant compensation. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we are dedicated to helping families get through this difficult period and secure any compensation they are entitled to. This can include:

  • Cost of pre-death medical care
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of future income and benefits of the deceased
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of companionship and loss of consortium damages
  • Punitive damages against a grossly negligent party

When you need a Philadelphia wrongful death attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 215-987-3730 for a free consultation of your case.