The only thing more devastating than losing a loved one is losing a loved one to a preventable accident. If your relative died as a direct result of someone else’s recklessness or negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for the damages you incurred in the wake of the accident. To determine if you may be eligible for a settlement, turn to Bernard M. Tully Attorney at Law in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Basics of Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

Determining Fault

In order to file a claim, you must first determine who is liable. In some cases, identifying the responsible party is fairly straightforward. For example, if your loved one was the victim of medical malpractice, their health care provider is likely at fault. In other cases, though, like those involving multi-vehicle collisions or product liability, determining fault is more challenging. That’s where an injury attorney will help.

Once your legal team determines you have grounds to file a claim, they will help you identify the liable party or parties. In general, you have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one would have otherwise been able to file a personal injury claim had they not died under the circumstances.

Who Can File

In the state of Pennsylvania, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate files the wrongful death claim on behalf of any beneficiaries. If the deceased does not have a will, the court will assign a personal representative who will file the lawsuit on behalf of the victim’s spouse, children, or parents.

If you lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence and you want to file a wrongful death claim, turn to Bernard M. Tully Attorney at Law in Pittsburgh, PA. Visit the firm online to explore their vast experience in all areas of personal injury law, and call (421) 281-8700 to schedule an initial consultation today. You can also find the law firm on Facebook.