Phoenixville Wrongful Death Attorneys

You shouldn’t have to worry about medical bills, funeral costs, or the income your loved one would have provided for your family because someone else acted carelessly or committed a malicious act. Our seasoned team can fight to hold the responsible party (or parties) accountable and secure the financial recovery your family needs to maintain its future stability and move forward. Our personal injury attorneys have recovered more than $100 million for our clients and have over 50 years of collective legal experience. We can provide compassionate, 360-degree support from beginning to end. 

You owe our firm no legal fees unless we help your family recover damages. We can take your call 24/7 and meet with you virtually.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how our Phoenixville wrongful death lawyers may be able to help. Call (215) 610-3440 or contact us online now. Se habla español.

We Are Prepared to Handle Many Types of Wrongful Death Cases

Every wrongful death case presents unique legal challenges and requires a tailored approach. Our firm has the resources and track record needed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s death, determine liability, and seek justice.

Our team at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin can assist you with wrongful death claims arising from many types of accidents and incidents, including those involving:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Lyft accidents
• Uber accidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Construction accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Slips and falls
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home neglect or abuse
• Violent crimes

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law establishes specific rules regarding who may file a wrongful death lawsuit and who may receive compensation. Typically, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate holds the initial responsibility for filing the claim. This individual is usually named in the victim’s will. If the victim did not have a valid will or if their chosen personal representative does not or cannot assume the role’s responsibilities, the court will appoint one. 

It is the personal representative’s job to file the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the eligible surviving family members to seek justice for their losses. However, if the personal representative does not file a lawsuit within six months of the date of the victim’s death, the law allows other parties to take action. At that point, the surviving spouse, children (including adult children), or parents of the deceased may file the claim directly. This provision allows these family members to pursue the case if the personal representative fails to act promptly.

While the personal representative may manage the legal proceedings, any compensation recovered primarily benefits the surviving family members. Pennsylvania statutes explicitly list the spouse, children, and parents as the beneficiaries entitled to recover damages. 

If you aren’t sure who has standing to take legal action or where to begin, we can help. Our attorneys are prepared to work with the personal representative or eligible family members to navigate each stage of the legal process.