With four locations in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and other Pocono Mountains communities, our wrongful death lawyers are here to help you seek justice. Set up a free consultation using the form below.
- Wilkes-Barre
- 15 South Franklin Street
- Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
- TEL: 570.826.5600
- FAX: 570.826.5640
- [ Maps/Directions ]
- Scranton
- 120 Wyoming Avenue
- Scranton, PA 18503
- TEL: 570.341.5600
- FAX: 570.347.9883
- [ Maps/Directions ]
- Hazleton
- 120 East Broad Street
- West Hazleton, PA 18202
- TEL: 570.455.7112
- FAX: 570.455.8304
- [ Maps/Directions ]
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Serving Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the Pocono Mountains: Wrongful Death Lawyers
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things we experience in life. For that reason, it is extremely difficult to bear when someone, through negligence or recklessness, causes the death of an innocent person, inflicting terrible suffering on the family members left behind. It is only just that they be assigned legal liability for their actions and be forced to offer whatever comfort financial compensation can bring. As members of the largest firm serving the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the Pocono Mountains region, our wrongful death lawyers are equipped with the resources and experience to help you pursue successful legal action against those who have robbed you of your loved one.
Causes of Wrongful Death
A wrongful death suit may arise out of many different kinds of incidents. Most fall into two broad categories: deaths caused by negligence, in which the responsible party fails to adhere to normally accepted standards of safe behavior, and deaths caused by defective products, where strict liability laws may apply. Among incidents that sometimes lead to a wrongful death are:
- Auto Accidents: Car accidents are among the leading causes of death in America each year, especially among young people. Whenever someone dies in an accident, there is a chance that the at-fault driver could be held legally liable in a wrongful death suit. This is more common in DUI accidents.
- Tractor Trailer Accidents: Since they involve such large vehicles, semi truck accidents have even greater potential to cause death than do normal car crashes. Since many tractor trailers are driven by employees representing larger companies, the employer may in some cases be held liable for a portion of the damages in a wrongful death case.
- Defective Product Failures: Many types of defective product malfunctions, including seatbelts and child restraints that do not work as intended, may put the user’s life at risk. When someone dies as a result, the product’s manufacturer may be made to offer compensation via a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Medical Malpractice: The breaking of the bond of trust between patient and doctor has serious consequences for both parties. When a doctor fails to adhere to the standards of good patient care and, in doing so, causes the patient’s death, a wrongful death suit may be an option for the relatives of decedent.
If you have lost a loved one through one of these situations, or any other which leads you to believe that someone else is legally responsible for your loss, our Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area firm near the Pocono Mountains can provide you with experienced wrongful death lawyers. With your help, we can bring the guilty parties to justice.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
The special circumstances of a wrongful death case mean that some aspects of the suit will work differently from normal proceedings. Namely, though the decedent is the person most directly harmed, the suit is brought by other people (the spouse or other relatives) who receive any damages awarded. Still, many parts of a wrongful death award are similar to those in other tort actions. Medical, funeral, and legal expenses may all be passed on to the defendant, and damages may be assessed for the decedent’s lost earnings and the survivors’ pain and suffering. In especially egregious cases, the defendant may be made to pay punitive damages. It is important to note that no damages may be assessed for the pain and suffering of the decedent, unless it can be proven that there was “conscious” pain and suffering. A prompt investigation is important to maximize the likelihood that helpful facts and witnesses can be secured to prove this.
Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyers
Securing a favorable judgment or settlement and collecting this financial restitution requires knowledgeable legal help. The best thing you can do for your wrongful death case is to discuss it with a qualified attorney as soon as possible, as there may be legal limits on the amount of time that can pass after the wrongful death before a suit is brought. Contact Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, L.L.P., a Pocono Mountains region firm serving Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, to speak with wrongful death lawyers. We are committed to helping you through this difficult time.