Who can file a wrongful death claim?

In the state of Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim is a legal action taken by certain people after a person’s death due to another person’s negligence or misconduct. A wrongful death claim compensates families of the deceased for their loss, including medical and funeral expenses, economic loss due to the deceased’s wages, and pain and suffering of the surviving family members. The deceased’s immediate family members, such as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, can file a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania. If the deceased had a valid will, the executor of the will can also bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased. In addition, the Attorney General of Pennsylvania can bring a claim on behalf of all citizens of the state. If the deceased had a minor child, the parent of the minor child can file a claim to recover financial losses and other damages for the benefit of the minor child. In cases where the deceased’s spouse and children don’t survive, the parents, grandparents, or other descendants of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. In addition, the court may grant a “wrongful death beneficiary” the power to bring a claim if the deceased had no surviving family members. If the deceased was a dependent adult, the court may grant a “wrongful death guardian” the authority to bring a claim on their behalf. Therefore, in Pennsylvania, a variety of people can bring a wrongful death claim depending on the circumstances. It is important to note that the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in the state of Pennsylvania is two years, so it is important to act quickly.

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