Erie, Pennsylvania, Wrongful Death Lawyers

Top-Ranked Erie, Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Attorneys

Jed Dietrich, Esq. is Committed to Advocating the Rights of Erie, Pennsylvania, Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones to Negligence.

An unexpected and untimely death can have consequences far beyond grief. If another person’s negligence has taken a close relative’s life, you may find yourself forced to confront a rapidly-changing reality—a reality without your loved one’s care, suddenly comprised of medical expenses, lost income, and last-minute funeral fees. Nobody should be made to bear the burden of another person’s life-shattering misconduct. Under Pennsylvania state law, the surviving relatives of a late accident victim have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While initiating a legal claim may be a big decision, a settlement could provide you and your family the resources needed to overcome the financial repercussions of a loved one’s death.

Since 2005, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has striven to uphold the rights of accident victims across the region. Our experienced Erie, Pennsylvania attorneys understand that taking the first step toward filing a wrongful death lawsuit is often the most difficult, which is why we are committed to providing unparalleled representation for our wrongful death clients. We know what it takes to build a compelling, evidence-based case needed to help your family obtain the closure you need and the justice you deserve. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

In a single recent year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation determined that over 2,600 reportable automobile accidents occurred in Erie County, at least 25 of which resulted in death. However, wrongful death cases are not isolated to automobile accidents. Pennsylvania law defines wrongful death as any death “caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.” In effect, an accident victim has suffered a wrongful death if they were killed by a third party’s misconduct.

A wrongful death lawsuit can provide families with much-needed relief after a tragic accident. The 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated (PA CSA) §8301 specifies which parties are entitled to file a wrongful death claim in the Keystone State. In general, only close, surviving relatives of the deceased may initiate legal action. According to (PA CSA) §8301, the following persons may file a wrongful death lawsuit:

1. The surviving spouse of the decedent;
2. The living children of the deceased person; and
3. The accident victim’s parents.

When a wrongful death lawsuit is initiated, the victim’s surviving relatives can ask the court to award compensation—often referred to as damages—for their losses. Your Erie, Pennsylvania, wrongful death attorney could help you calculate your damages, which might include payment for the following:

1. Outstanding medical bills;
2. Burial expenses;
3. Funeral fees;
4. Estate administration;
5. Lost income that the deceased person would have earned had they lived a full life; and
6. Loss of the decedent’s comfort, companionship, and guidance.

Under certain limited circumstances, the deceased person’s personal representative may file a lawsuit on behalf of the decedent’s estate. If the personal representative initiates the claim, they may seek reasonable compensation for funeral fees and estate administration costs. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades aggressively advocating on behalf of wrongful death claimants. Jed Dietrich, Esq. could help you calculate your damages and negotiate the settlement that your family needs to begin rebuilding your lives in the aftermath of an unforeseeable tragedy. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to discuss your options for expedient legal relief.

Losing a loved one is a devastating experience, made even more challenging when their death could have been prevented. In such cases, pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit offers several important benefits that go beyond mere financial compensation.

Firstly, a successful claim can provide fair compensation to alleviate the burden of outstanding medical debt, replace the lost income that supported your family, and ensure that your loved one receives the dignified funeral they deserve.

Additionally, a wrongful death lawsuit can bring about legal closure, regardless of whether criminal charges were pursued against the responsible party. Even without criminal consequences, civil liability can still be established, holding the wrongdoer accountable for their actions. This opportunity for accountability is crucial in seeking justice for your loved one's untimely passing.

Moreover, pursuing legal action can provide peace of mind by addressing the root causes of the incident. By negotiating a settlement, your attorney can advocate for the at-fault party to not only provide compensation but also commit to rectifying the conditions that led to your loved one's accident. This act of compassion and care can help prevent similar tragedies from befalling other families, sparing them from the pain and anguish you have endured.

When the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. accepts a wrongful death claimant, we do our due diligence to ensure that your family is afforded the best opportunity to obtain justice for your loved one. Since 2005, we have helped accident victims across the region secure more than $175 million in damages—money that they have used to clear their relative’s outstanding medical debt, pay funeral fees, and establish the long-lasting legacy their family member deserves. Please contact us today at 814-839-3939 to schedule your absolutely free, no-obligation consultation.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 814-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!