Have you lost a loved one in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, because of someone else’s conduct? Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, can help you learn about your legal options by contacting us at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation with a Honesdale wrongful death lawyer.
Losing a loved one is always devastating, but when the loss is caused by someone else’s negligence, it can be even more overwhelming. Along with grief, you may be facing unexpected financial burdens and the stress of navigating legal matters.
In times like these, you don’t need just any lawyer. You need someone who is both compassionate and experienced—someone who will treat your case with the respect it deserves while fighting to hold the responsible party accountable.
Why Choose Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC To Help Me After a Wrongful Death in Honesdale?
At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we will be a strong advocate in your corner who is not afraid to stand up to the insurance company and demand justice for your loss. We are passionate about helping clients who have lost a loved one in Honesdale, PA.
Clients turn to us after devastating accidents because:
- We have 100 years of combined experience helping victims and their families recover compensation after devastating accidents.
- We have recovered more than $150 million in compensation, and we are ready to help you, too.
- You will never be just another case file number in our office.
Know that you do not have to go through this difficult time alone. Let us help take away some of the stress of the situation by handling every aspect of your legal claim. Call us today to talk to a Honesdale personal injury attorney and let us get started.
What is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The value of a wrongful death claim can vary greatly from one case to the next. Every case is unique, and comparing the value of one case to another can be challenging. Your case’s value will depend on several factors that are specific to your situation, including:
- The cost of any attempted life-saving medical treatments prior to death
- The age and health of the victim prior to the accident
- The victim’s life expectancy
- The victim’s average earnings and future earning potential
- The value of lost benefits, such as health insurance
- The funeral and burial expenses incurred
- Whether the victim shared any responsibility for their accident
- The amount of insurance coverage, if any, that applies to the accident
If you want an accurate estimate of your case’s value, give us a call to let us learn more about the details of your situation. We will provide a free case evaluation and help you understand how much compensation you may be owed.
What Kind of Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Families of wrongful death victims may be entitled to recover several types of damages after these accidents. The most common damages available in these cases are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages provide compensation for the financial losses suffered in the accident. Some common examples of economic damages in wrongful death claims are:
- Attempted life-saving medical treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses
These damages typically have a specific dollar value associated with them, and proving this value is usually not difficult. Receipts, bills, and other documentation can be used to show the amount of these losses. However, non-economic damages are a little different.
Non-economic damages compensate victims for their intangible losses, such as:
- Mental anguish or emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of love and affection
- Grief
- Sorrow
- Depression
- Loss of education or instruction for children
Calculating the value of these damages can be much more difficult, although their value often far exceeds the value of your financial losses. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we can assess all your losses and help you recover all the damages to which you are entitled.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Hiring a wrongful death lawyer might just seem like another expense you don’t even want to think about. The truth is that hiring a lawyer to help will not cost you a dime up front. This is because most wrongful death lawyers work on contingency fees.
When using a contingency fee, the lawyer does not get paid unless they win your case. They take their fee at the end of the case as a percentage of any money awarded to you. In wrongful death cases, the amount of the fee often ranges from 25% to 45% of the total recovery, depending on:
- Your lawyer’s experience level
- Your lawyer’s track record
- The complexity of the case
- Whether the case is settled or goes to trial
- Your location
The rule in Pennsylvania is that contingency fee agreements must be in writing. The agreement should clearly state how the fee will be calculated, and it should also outline any other expenses that will be deducted from the recovery.
At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we will never collect a fee unless we win your case, so give us a call today to learn more.
Can I Recover Compensation if My Loved One Is Being Blamed for Their Accident in Pennsylvania?
The tactic of some insurance companies is to blame the victim for their accident to try and avoid paying the claim. Thankfully, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, a victim is still entitled to recover compensation as long as they are less than 51% responsible for their accident.
This also applies in wrongful death cases in which the victim may have shared some of the fault. However, the recovery will be reduced by the victim’s portion of the fault in these situations. For instance, if a jury finds your deceased loved one to be 20% responsible for the accident that caused their death, you would still be able to recover 80% of your damages from the other responsible party.
If your loved one was more than 50% responsible, however, recovery would be barred.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Honesdale?
Pennsylvania law restricts wrongful death claims from being filed by just anyone. According to the law, a wrongful death action may be brought “only by the personal representative of the decedent…” The ones who may benefit from a wrongful death claim include:
- A surviving spouse
- Children or adopted children of the deceased
- Parents of the deceased
The law goes on to state that if an action is not filed within 6 months of death, then anyone entitled by law to recover damages may file the action. This could include the potential beneficiaries named above or additional family members.
An experienced wrongful death lawyer can walk you through the process of filing your claim and ensure that you have the legal right to do so.
What Causes Most Wrongful Death Accidents in Honesdale, Pennsylvania?
There are many types of accidents that can result in the death of a loved one. These accidents can cause your family’s life to be turned upside down in an instant. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we can help you regardless of what type of accident caused your loved one’s death, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products (product liability)
- Dog bites
- Bus accidents
- Bicycle accident
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Assault, battery, or other intentional acts
After your accident, we will perform a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death. We can help identify all potential defendants and will fight to help you hold them accountable.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Wrongful Death Accident in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law sets the time limit for filing a wrongful death claim at two years from the date of the death. Failure to file a claim before the deadline can cause you to lose all your rights to recover compensation for your losses. However, there can be special circumstances that may affect the timing of this deadline.
In some special situations, the deadline could be shorter or longer than the standard rule. Do not simply assume that you know the rule that applies to your case. Instead, get help from an experienced lawyer who can help ensure that you do not miss your chance to recover compensation.
Contact Our Honesdale Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have lost a loved one in Honesdale, PA, due to someone else’s negligent or intentional conduct, reach out to the experienced team at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC today. While money could never replace your loved one, it can help take away some of the uncertainty of your financial future.
Call us today to speak to a Honesdale wrongful death lawyer and let us go to work for you.
