Wrongful Death
When a life is cut short because of someone else’s negligence, it can have a devastating effect on the family. You will have to deal with the grief on top of handling the aspects of the accident. There are probably many expenses you need to keep track of. Not to mention the loss of income and how that will affect your family.
The Pennsylvania wrongful death lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli know the pain your family is going through at this time. This is why we will fight on your family’s behalf inside and outside the courtroom to ensure you are properly compensated for your loved one’s death. This is a painful time in your life and we will make sure your case is handled with the respect it deserves.
Have you lost a loved one? Contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC online or call us at (877) 989-4878 to request a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to assist you.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under Pennsylvania law, when a person’s death was caused by negligence, violence, or a wrongful act, the relatives have the right to file a lawsuit for wrongful death against the other parties. These types of claims can involve all fatal accidents — from car accidents to medical malpractice. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a single person responsible for the claim — companies and even the government can be legally at fault for your loved one’s death.
In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim can only be brought by the person’s estate. This means the award is limited to the decedent’s spouse, children, and/or parents.
Why File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
If you lose a loved one in a tragic accident, you will soon find yourself inundated with bills. Medical bills, funeral expenses, property damage–the debt will soon add up. Not only will you be in mourning, but you’ll also be in financial straits.
But by filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you may receive compensation that will cover not only your current bills but any future expenses. You can receive compensation for:
- funeral and burial expenses
- hospital and medical expenses
- estate administration expenses
- lost wages and benefits
- the loss of household services and comfort provided by the deceased
- pain and suffering
The Four Elements of Wrongful Death
As defined by law, you can submit a successful claim if these four elements are met:
- Negligence – Let’s say your loved one had died following a workplace accident. Later, you learn that the accident would never have occurred if the proper OSHA regulations were put in place. Since the employer was negligent and failed to follow the letter of the law, your loved one had died.
- Breach of Duty – You will need to prove that the defendant had owed a duty to the deceased victim. For example, in a medical malpractice case, the doctor owed a duty to his deceased patient to maintain his/her death. Because the doctor failed, that duty was breached.
- Causation – Because the duty was breached, you will now need to prove that the negligence had caused the death of your loved one.
- Damages – Finally, you will need to prove that the death of the victim had caused a financial strain on the family. This is where medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of income come into play.
As you can see, a wrongful death case can be quite difficult to prove. This is why you need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your claim.
How Our Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help
At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, we know you’re suffering right now. But by hiring an experienced and aggressive wrongful death attorney, we can reduce the stress of the financial burden you are now facing, so you and your family can focus on the healing process and move on with life. We will gather the evidence, speak with witnesses, contact the insurance company, and make sure you are properly compensated and your family’s future is secured.
The Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli can’t turn back the clock. What we can do is hold the negligent party responsible for wrongful death, and we can ease your legal and financial anxiety.
Make a consultation appointment to tell us your story, and we will do everything we can to help. For more information on wrongful death claims, click here.
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$5 Million Trucking Accident
A settlement was obtained for three victims of a tractor-trailer crash.
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$4 Million Trucking Accident
Our client was hit by an overweight and out-of-control tractor-trailer which was driving illegally on PA 115. This verdict was the #1 trucking collision verdict in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2011.
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$3 Million Medical Malpractice
Settlement for a confidential medical malpractice case.
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$2 Million Medical Malpractice
A settlement was obtained in a case where the doctor negligently managed anesthesia.
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$1.8 Million Car Accident
A settlement was obtained for a firefighter who was injured in an automobile crash.
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$1.5 Million Medical Malpractice
A verdict was obtained on behalf of a medical malpractice victim involving a doctor failing to provide informed consent for a tonsillectomy. Was named one of the top 30 verdicts in Pennsylvania in 2015.
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We could have never made it without Molly Clark and Fellerman & Ciarimboli!! It's scary going after someone for wrongdoing and she took us through every step. She answered all our questions, good or bad. She was available 24-7 and weekends fighting for us. She fought for our needs and got us what was deserved!! They are the best choice!!- Star K.
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- Frank K.
I have a friend who sought help from Fellerman & Ciarimboli and said they were very nice and helpful. So when I needed assistance, they were the first ones I thought of, and gave them a call. I was connected to Attorney Molly Clark, who made a significant impact. Her comforting personality created a welcoming environment during our interactions, turning what could have been a somber experience into one filled with positivity. Our upbeat conversations, in contrast to the challenging situation, improved my well-being.
What truly won me over was Molly's commitment to keeping me informed about the progress of my situation. Whenever I called her with questions, she promptly provided answers, ensuring I had the information I needed when I needed it. Working with Fellerman & Ciarimboli was a positive experience given the circumstances I was facing. I highly recommend Attorney Molly and the firm to anyone seeking reliable and compassionate assistance during challenging times.
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Molly thank you for everything you’ve done for Terry and me. You went above and beyond. You are like family to us and will always love you!- Arlene P.
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I can't express how GREAT my first experience with an attorney has been! I'm not kidding when I say that both you and the entire firm are I think the best around. Once get things settled around here, I would like to make an appointment to come up to talk about some other issues, but I have been doing nothing, but singing the praises of you The entire organization to everyone that I speak with.- R.R.
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- Client
There are no adequate words to convey to you, Mike, and Ed how grateful our family is for all of your hard work in helping us through the most difficult time of our lives. Your commitment to justice is unlike anything we have ever witnessed. Our tragedy became your tragedy. The three of you have become part of our family.
Harry, you explained everything necessary in terms which were comprehensible and helpful to us to better understand all that was presented. We are so grateful for that.
The compassion shown to us by not only the three of you, but everyone to whom we encountered at Fellerman & Ciarimboli was off the charts and so sincere.
We will grieve our profound loss for the rest of our lives, but all of you helped to make it a bit easier, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
God's Blessings to you and your family.
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Molly, Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much you mean to me, throughout this process, you have always been there and helped me through. I am glad it all came to a good ending and that it is over. But, I will miss you and you will always be referred to anyone that ever asks me for an amazing lawyer! Keep fighting for the people who need you! You are amazing at what you do, you're professional and genuine! I wish you all the best in your career and am happy that I chose you to take my case. Your team is amazing, too!- Nicole W.
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“Happy that the night that ruined a lot in my life was finally over. If you want a great firm, get things done right and efficiently, and have a team supporting you along your journey, I suggest F&C to be your choice!”- Nicole W.
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I was in a bad accident and I had my daughter in the car with me. I highly recommend this firm. My attorney Myer Messinger was very compassionate and offered empathy with helping me and my daughter with the mental agony we experienced after the accident. Mr Messinger is very professional and knowledgeable. We sat for hours for the mediation and he fought to get me the best settlement- Enide Jerome
