Areas Served
Losing a loved one is a devastating experience regardless of the circumstances. However, when that loss is caused by someone else’s reckless behavior, the pain becomes even more profound for everyone who cares about them.
At Stine & Associates, P.C., we understand the emotional and financial strain a wrongful death can create. We’re here to help you navigate this challenging time and go after the justice and compensation your family deserves.
When Negligence Leads to a Loss of Life
A wrongful death claim comes about when a person’s death was the result of the wrongful act, neglect, or unlawful violence of another individual. These claims are meant to compensate the surviving family members for their losses.
The law is designed to promote two outcomes. It seeks to hold the responsible party accountable and ensure that the family is provided for in the aftermath of the loss.
What Constitutes a Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death can happen in a number of situations, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Fatalities from car, truck, pedestrian, or motorcycle collisions caused by careless or reckless drivers
- Medical Malpractice: Loss of life caused by errors in the medical field, including misdiagnosis and failure to provide adequate care
- Workplace Accidents: Fatal injuries suffered on the job because of unsafe working conditions, employer negligence, or defective equipment
- Premises Liability: Deaths resulting from unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, like slip and fall accidents
- Defective Products: Fatalities caused by defective or dangerous products
In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim has to be filed by the deceased person’s estate representative. If that representative doesn’t file the claim within six months of the death, any of the person’s beneficiaries can then do so on behalf of all the beneficiaries.
This means that essentially anyone could file the claim, including the children, parents, or spouse of the deceased. Because of this timeline, it’s important to act quickly to make sure your rights are protected and vital evidence is preserved.
Types of Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases
Compensation in wrongful death claims can cover several types of losses that have arisen because of the loss of life. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve losses such as:
- Costs for medical treatments related to the fatal injury or illness
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Income lost due to the person’s death
Calculating the damages in these cases can be complicated. Several factors have to be considered, such as the deceased’s age, health, earning capacity, and life expectancy. Besides that, the non-economic impact, such as the emotional loss to the family, needs to be evaluated, too.
Navigating the Path to Justice
The first step in filing a wrongful death suit is to contact us for a free consultation. During the meeting, we’ll go over every detail of your case and address any questions you might have. Discussing your legal options gives you an opportunity to get to know us and gives us a chance to understand your needs and goals.
Once we take on your case, we’ll begin a thorough investigation. This will involve collecting all of the relevant evidence, consulting with experts, interviewing witnesses, and going over medical and accident reports. We’ll build a strong case that clearly establishes liability and outlines the extent of your losses.
The majority of wrongful death lawsuits are settled out of court via negotiations with the responsible party’s insurance company. We’ll advocate for your interests in these talks with the goal of receiving a settlement that fully compensates you for the death.
If a fair settlement can’t be agreed on by both sides, we’re prepared to take your claim to court. At the trial, we’ll present a powerful case to the judge or jury on your behalf. Our experience in the courtroom and familiarity with the local area give us crucial tools that help us work toward a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Where Community Meets Expertise
Our firm has deep roots in the Irwin community and a strong understanding of local laws and regulations. For instance, we maintain professional relationships with officials at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, where many wrongful death cases are heard.
Our commitment to Irwin and the nearby communities extends beyond our legal practice. We truly understand the local landscape, including key entities like the Westmoreland Hospital in nearby Greensburg. The medical staff there often plays a role in emergency medical care and are frequently asked to help gather medical records.
Likewise, we’ve worked closely with the Borough of Irwin Police Department during the course of our investigations. They help by providing manpower and obtaining the evidence and reports we need for our cases.
We’re also acutely aware of the local economy and the types of industries that are prevalent in Irwin. This knowledge can play a part in wrongful death cases related to workplace accidents.
In other words, it doesn’t matter whether we’re dealing with a claim involving a local business or the manufacturing sector. In every circumstance, we’re equipped with the knowledge and resources to handle the unique aspects of any case that comes our way.
Your Voice for Justice After a Loss
It’s critical to choose the right attorney for your claim before you attempt to go after any type of compensation. At Stine & Associates, P.C., we pride ourselves on our comprehensive and empathetic legal representation for sensitive cases like wrongful death.
We are pleased to offer you the following:
- Personalized attention: You’ll work directly with Cindy Stine, who will provide the personalized and focused attention your case deserves
- Proven Track Record: We have a long history of successful settlements and verdicts for wrongful death claims
- Compassionate Support: We want to support you in every way that we can throughout this difficult time and the stressful legal process
- No Fees Unless We Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we’re able to recover a settlement for you
We want to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on rebuilding your life after your loss. To do this, we take charge of your case from the moment you step foot through our doors.
We’ll handle the investigation into the circumstances that surround your loved one’s death to establish liability and gather evidence to present to the court. To build a strong case, we’ll take statements from expert witnesses like accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals.
Once you’re ready to go to court, we’ll manage all of the paperwork to guarantee that everything is filed correctly and on time. We’ll also talk to the insurance companies on your behalf to negotiate a fair settlement. If for some reason both sides can’t agree on terms, we’ll go to trial and fight to protect your rights.
Take Back Control Today
If you’ve lost a loved one as a result of another person’s actions or a company’s negligence, take the first step to get the compensation your family deserves. Contact Stine & Associates, P.C. today to schedule a free consultation.
We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand what legal steps you can take to hold the responsible party accountable. Let us help you fight for justice during this difficult time.