Pittsburgh Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Wrongful death claims in Pittsburgh should always be filed with the help of a qualified wrongful death attorney. It is very difficult for one to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Pittsburgh without an intimate knowledge of local laws. And even if you are able to figure out how to do it on your own, it could take a very long time. Pennsylvania law specifies a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death cases, which means the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the death of the victim. Therefore, the aid of an attorney is vital.
Some basic requirements for pursuing litigation
Not only can lawyers help you file the lawsuit in time, they are also critical in establishing whether or not you even have legitimate grounds for filing a Pittsburgh wrongful death lawsuit. Some basic requirements must be met in order to pursue litigation. The first involves who is actually allowed to file wrongful death lawsuits in Pittsburgh. Laws vary from state to state, but generally, only family members such as a surviving spouse, next of kin or children may sue for wrongful death.
Once you know you are allowed to proceed with the claims, the next step is providing proof of death, which is simply a death certificate with the signature of a coroner. Also, there must be evidence or witness testimony that shows another party was at least in part responsible for the death. Finally, the family must have proof of emotional or financial losses resulting from the death. All of these requirements must be met before any Pittsburgh wrongful death claims can be filed with a court.
Once these requisites are in place, the other party will be served with a lawsuit. Be clear about what you hope to recover going into the lawsuit. Most people seek compensation for specific losses such as medical and funeral expenses and income loss. Also, keep in mind that some states place limitations on the recovery of damages.
Contact our wrongful death attorneys
The attorneys at Tarasi & Tarasi are experts at filing Pittsburgh wrongful death lawsuits. They have helped many clients reclaim some of what was taken away by the negligence of another.
