Lebanon Wrongful Death Lawyer

Has someone you love recently been killed in Lebanon, PA? You could be entitled to compensation, and our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is here to help you recover every dollar you deserve. With an experienced Lebanon wrongful death lawyer by your side, you’ll maximize your chances of recovering fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Our lawyers have over 120 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We’ve helped our clients recover tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts over the years.

We know you’re going through a difficult time. To learn more about how our lawyers can help, call our law office in Lebanon, Pennsylvania at (717) 995-8963 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Lebanon, PA

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Lebanon, PA

Losing someone you love is one of the most painful experiences you’ll ever have to endure. That pain is only magnified when you know that their death was preventable. Our Lebanon personal injury attorneys are here to help you fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Our lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates have been recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. We even have a certified workers’ compensation specialist on our team who can help you fight for fair benefits if your loved one was killed on the job.

Retaining our law firm means you’ll have an advocate to:

  • Carefully investigate your loved one’s death
  • Gather evidence to support your case
  • Provide legal guidance and support throughout the recovery process
  • Work with top-rated experts and specialists
  • Handle all paperwork and negotiations with the insurance company
  • Advocate for your rights in court if necessary

Grieving is difficult enough. You shouldn’t have to worry about how you’ll make ends meet during this difficult time. Our Lebanon personal injury lawyers are here to fight for you, so give us a quick call for a free consultation today.

How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Lebanon, PA?

Fatal accidents are more common than most people imagine.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 1,129 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents across the state in 2020. That’s about three deaths per day. 99 traffic fatalities were reported in Lebanon County between 2016 and 2020.

In 2020, 148 people were killed in Pennsylvania work-related accidents. Another 154 workers died on the job in 2019.

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In the state of Pennsylvania, wrongful death is a death caused by the careless, reckless, or wrongful acts of another person. If the person had survived, they would have been entitled to seek compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Instead, their survivors can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Wrongful death cases are tried in civil court. Unlike a murder case, the remedy offered is compensation. If a defendant’s acts were intentional or especially shocking, they may also face charges in criminal court.

However, most wrongful death cases are based on accidents, such as car accidents or medical malpractice. Surviving family members can file an action for wrongful death even if the defendant is never charged with a crime.

Under Pennsylvania wrongful death laws, the following family members are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit:

  • A surviving spouse
  • Children
  • Parents 

Each beneficiary receives compensation in the proportion they would receive under state intestacy laws or the decedent’s will. If no surviving beneficiaries exist, however, the deceased person’s personal representative is entitled to file a lawsuit for certain damages.

What Is My Lebanon Wrongful Death Case Worth?

Every wrongful death claim is unique. While it may seem impossible to put a dollar value on your loved one’s companionship, support, and guidance, a dollar value must be assigned. Your lawyer will examine all aspects of your case and gather evidence about your loved one’s household contributions, character, and more.

Overall, the value of your case will depend on factors such as:

  • Your loved one’s earning history and potential future earning capacity
  • Your loved one’s age and life expectancy
  • The identity of surviving family members, including dependent children
  • The pain and suffering your loved one endured prior to death
  • Your family’s emotional trauma and suffering
  • The cost of your loved one’s medical bills and expenses incurred because of the accident

The best way to get a sense of your case value is to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced lawyer. You can learn more about how our experienced lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help by calling to schedule a free initial consultation today.

What Types of Damages Are Available To Survivors in an Action for Wrongful Death?

Like any car accident victim, survivors in a wrongful death lawsuit are entitled to seek compensation for their full economic and non-economic losses. Money can never bring back your loved one–but your compensation award is still meant to make you “whole” again, at least from a financial perspective.

Examples of the types of damages that may be available include:

  • Medical expenses, nursing costs, and therapy expenses incurred between the date of the injury and the date of death
  • Lost wages and income that the deceased person would have earned had they survived
  • The value of lost household services
  • Funeral costs and burial expenses
  • Estate administration expenses
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of your loved one’s company, guidance, and support
  • Emotional distress and mental trauma

Most wrongful death cases don’t involve intentional wrongdoing. However, if your case does involve intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence, your family may also be entitled to seek punitive damages. These damages are awarded solely to punish the defendant rather than to compensate survivors for a specific loss.

Every wrongful death case is different. You can count on our Lebanon wrongful death attorneys to fight for the maximum compensation available in your case. Just call Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule your free case review today.

Can I Recover Damages If My Loved One Is Being Blamed for a Fatal Accident in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence law. If your loved one was partly responsible for causing the accident that killed them, you may recover a portion of your compensation. However, if your loved one is more than 50% responsible for their own death, you’ll be barred from seeking any compensation at all. 

Insurance companies know these shared fault rules inside and out. They often exploit the law to scare victims into backing down or accepting less money than they deserve. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer is the best way to counter these and other scare tactics.

What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Lebanon, Pennsylvania?

Wrongful death can happen under many different circumstances. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our local wrongful death lawyers represent grieving families in all types of wrongful death cases.

Some of the leading causes of wrongful death in Pennsylvania include:

You don’t have to handle your claim alone. Our accident and injury attorneys are here to help you every step of the way. To learn more about your legal options, call our law firm to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer serving Lebanon today.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Fatal Accident in Pennsylvania? 

Establishing liability for wrongful death is similar to proving fault in a personal injury case. Most of the time, wrongful death cases are based on negligence. You’ll have to prove that someone else failed to exercise reasonable caution and that your loved one was killed because of it.

There are four elements to any negligence case:

  • A legal duty of care
  • A breach of duty
  • Causation
  • Damages, which may include financial losses, physical pain, and emotional suffering

Our accident attorneys in Lebanon will conduct a detailed investigation to determine who can be held financially liable for your loved one’s death. Many different types of evidence can be used to prove your case. Depending on the facts, we may gather police reports, video footage, eyewitness statements, and medical records. 

How Long Do I Have To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania wrongful death cases is two years. If you fail to take legal action within two years of your loved one’s death, you risk losing your right to recover any compensation at all.

While you may have more time if the defendant is handling their criminal defense, most families lose their right to compensation after two years have passed.

Contact a Lebanon Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Money may seem trivial after losing a family member. On the other hand, recovering compensation can be the best way to protect your family right now and in the future. An experienced Lebanon wrongful death lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is standing by to discuss your case. Don’t hesitate to contact us for your free consultation today.