If a person is killed as a result of an accident, who is able to file a wrongful death law suit?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If a person is killed as a result of an accident, who is able to file a wrongful death law suit?
Are brothers and or sisters of the deceased able to?
Asked on August 14, 2011 Pennsylvania
Answers:
Richard Weaver / The Weaver Law Firm
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, but it depends on things like whther the person was survived by a spouse, child or parent. You may have a right to sue. Attorneys can assist you on a case on a contigency basis, where you do not have to pay unless they recover something for you. Feel free to call at 210-807-8932 or visit us at www.WeaverLawyers.com
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
State laws vary on who may bring wrongful death lawsuits. In all states, close family members like spouses and children and parents can bring wrongful death actions. Some states allow other family members to file such a suit or legal dependents who suffer financial injury from the death to bring a wrongful death action for lost care or support. My research suggests that in PA, that the decedent's immediate family members (often called "distributees") are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the defendant's conduct. The most common distributees are surviving spouses and children, and sometimes parents, but under some circumstances siblings may be allowed. At this point, you should consult directly with a personal injury in your area as to your legal rights/remedies.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.