The sudden loss of a loved one changes everything. When a death is unexpected, families are often left with grief alongside urgent questions about finances, responsibility, and what happens next. Funeral expenses arrive quickly. Household income may disappear overnight. At the same time, insurance companies may begin asking questions or pushing paperwork before families have had time to process what happened.
At Freeburn Law, our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers represent families throughout Pittsburgh who have lost someone due to negligence. Our role is to step in, take on the legal burden, and pursue accountability while you focus on your family. We handle wrongful death claims with care and determination, fully explaining your options while fighting for compensation that reflects the full impact of your loss. There is no upfront cost to speak with us, and no fee unless we recover compensation for your family. Reach out to Freeburn Law today to discuss your next steps.
What Counts as a Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death occurs when a person dies because someone else failed to act with reasonable care. If the death likely would not have happened due to another party’s actions or inactions, it may qualify as a wrongful death under Pennsylvania law.
Wrongful death cases often arise from everyday situations that turn tragic, including traffic accidents, workplace incidents, unsafe property conditions, and medical mistakes. What matters is not whether the harm was intentional, but whether it was preventable.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Pittsburgh
Fatal accidents happen in many different ways, but most wrongful death cases share a common theme of negligence. In Pittsburgh, these claims frequently involve transportation, workplaces, healthcare settings, and public or private property.
Fatal Accidents
Common causes of wrongful death include:
- Car accidents involving distracted, impaired, or reckless drivers
- Commercial truck accidents caused by unsafe driving practices or poor maintenance
- Construction and workplace incidents involving unsafe conditions or equipment
- Medical errors such as misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, or delayed treatment
- Dangerous property conditions that lead to fatal falls or injuries
At Freeburn Law, we have extensive experience handling wrongful death claims involving unfortunate fatal accidents. If you believe your loved one’s death could have been prevented with the correct oversight, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law sets specific rules about who may bring a wrongful death claim and how the recovery is distributed. These rules are important, and misunderstandings can lead to delays or lost rights.
A wrongful death claim is typically filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This individual is often named in a will or appointed by the court and is frequently a spouse or close family member.
The compensation recovered through a wrongful death claim is meant to benefit certain surviving family members, including:
- The surviving spouse
- The children of the deceased
- The parents of the deceased
If the personal representative does not file a wrongful death claim within a specific period, eligible family members may be allowed to bring the claim themselves. Because timing and filing requirements matter, it is important to understand your role early in the process.
Wrongful Death vs Survival Action
Families are often surprised to learn that Pennsylvania recognizes two separate legal claims after a fatal accident. Wrongful death and survival action claims serve different purposes but are often pursued together. At Freeburn Law, we understand how confusing this time is for your family, which is why we can handle all of the filing for you.
What Each Claim Covers and Why Both May Apply
A wrongful death claim focuses on the losses suffered by surviving family members. It addresses how the death has affected the household, finances, and relationships of those left behind.
A survival action is brought on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. It seeks compensation for the harm the person experienced between the time of injury and the time of death. This may include pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses incurred before death.
In many cases, both claims apply. Together, they allow the legal system to account for the full scope of harm caused by negligence, both to the person who died and to the family who must live with the loss.
What Compensation Can Families Recover
No legal case can undo a loss. Compensation in a wrongful death case is meant to provide financial support and reduce the burden placed on surviving family members after a preventable death.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may cover:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the final injury or illness
- Lost income and benefits the deceased would have provided
- Loss of household services and support
- Loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and care
Each family’s situation is different. We take time to understand how the loss affects your household today and how it will continue to affect your future.
How Insurance Companies Fight Wrongful Death Claims
Insurance companies approach wrongful death cases with one primary goal, limiting their financial exposure. Even when fault appears clear, insurers often challenge these claims aggressively.
Common insurance tactics include:
- Denying responsibility or claiming the death was unavoidable
- Shifting blame onto the deceased person
- Disputing income, employment benefits, or household contributions
- Minimizing the value of non-economic losses
- Pressuring families to accept early, low settlement offers
These strategies are especially effective when families are grieving and under financial strain. At Freeburn Law, we handle all communication with insurance companies and protect our clients from being rushed into decisions that do not reflect the seriousness of their loss.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law limits the amount of time families have to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If a claim is not filed within that time, the court will typically dismiss it, regardless of how strong the case may be.
While two years may sound like a long time, delays can quickly weaken a claim. Evidence may be lost, witnesses may become harder to locate, and insurance companies may gain leverage by questioning details that could have been documented earlier. Speaking with a lawyer early allows time for investigation and helps ensure that all deadlines are met.
Talk to a Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Lawyer at Freeburn Law
If your family has lost a loved one due to negligence, you do not have to navigate the legal process alone. At Freeburn Law, we represent families throughout Pittsburgh with a steady, protective approach focused on long-term security. We understand that this is not just a legal matter, but a deeply personal one.
When you contact our firm, we begin by listening. We can explain how wrongful death and survival actions work under Pennsylvania law, what options may be available, and what steps come next. You do not need to have everything organized before calling us. Our job is to help you make sense of the process and take action when you are ready.
To help us evaluate your case, it can be useful to bring or gather:
- Accident or incident reports, if available
- Medical records or bills related to the injury
- Insurance correspondence you have received
- Employment and income information
Our consultations are free, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation for your family. Contact us today at (717) 777-7777 to schedule your free consultation and get the help you need.
We know that pursuing a wrongful death claim is not something any family plans for. At Freeburn Law, our wrongful death attorneys can handle the legal fight, so you have the space to grieve and begin moving forward.
