Areas Served
The sudden loss of a family member shakes the foundation of everything you know. When that loss happens because someone else acted carelessly or recklessly, the grief becomes even harder to bear. At Stine & Associates, P.C., we understand the overwhelming emotions and financial pressures that follow a wrongful death in Norvelt. Attorney Cindy Stine and her team are ready to help your family seek justice while you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney serving Norvelt.
What Makes a Death “Wrongful” Under Pennsylvania Law?
Pennsylvania law recognizes that there are some situations where a death occurs because of another party’s careless actions, deliberate harm, or failure to maintain safe conditions. When someone dies due to these preventable circumstances, the law considers it a wrongful death. This legal framework is in place so that families can receive financial support and the at-fault parties can be held accountable.
The key element in these cases centers on whether the death resulted from behavior that fell below reasonable standards of care. For example, a driver who runs a red light and causes a fatal crash has violated basic traffic safety laws. Similarly, a property owner who fails to repair dangerous conditions or post warning signs about hazards may bear responsibility if someone dies because of those unsafe conditions.
Who Has the Right To Seek Compensation in Norvelt?
In Pennsylvania, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. This lawsuit can be brought for the benefit of specific family members. The law prioritizes immediate family members who depended on the decedent for financial and emotional support:
- Surviving spouses: The husband or wife of the decedent has the primary right to seek compensation for financial and emotional losses.
- Children of the deceased: Both minor and adult children can pursue compensation, though the types of recoverable losses may vary based on their age and dependency status.
- Parents of the deceased: When an unmarried person dies without children, their parents can file a wrongful death claim to recover their losses.
If no immediate family members exist, the personal representative managing the deceased’s estate can pursue a claim on behalf of the estate itself.
The estate representative has six months from the date of death to file a claim. If they don’t act within this period, any beneficiary can step forward to file on behalf of all beneficiaries. Given these deadlines and the time needed to build a strong case, contacting an attorney promptly protects your family’s rights.
What Financial Recovery Can Families Pursue?
Wrongful death claims allow families to seek compensation for both the immediate costs following a death and the long-term financial consequences of losing a loved one. The law recognizes that these losses extend beyond just funeral expenses. Rather, they encompass the full scope of what the decedent would have provided to their family.
Medical expenses from the final injury or illness often create substantial financial burdens for families already dealing with grief. These costs include:
- Emergency room treatment
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Medications
- Any other medical care provided before death
Beyond these immediate costs, families face the reality of lost financial support. The deceased’s income, benefits, and potential future earnings all represent real losses to surviving family members. Courts consider factors like the person’s age, health before the incident, career trajectory, and work history when calculating these amounts. The value of services the decedent provided—from household maintenance to childcare—also factors into the compensation calculation.
Pennsylvania law also recognizes the profound emotional toll of losing a loved one. While no amount of money can replace someone’s presence, compensation for loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support acknowledges these intangible but very real losses.
How Do Wrongful Deaths Typically Happen in the Norvelt Area?
In and around Norvelt, certain types of incidents frequently lead to these tragic outcomes:
- Motor vehicle collisions: Route 981 and other local roads see serious crashes caused by speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to adjust to weather conditions.
- Workplace incidents: Industrial facilities and construction sites throughout Westmoreland County present hazards including falls from heights, equipment malfunctions, and exposure to dangerous substances.
- Medical errors: Healthcare providers at area hospitals and medical facilities sometimes make critical mistakes in diagnosis, treatment, medication administration, or surgical procedures that result in preventable deaths.
- Property hazards: Slip-and-fall incidents on ice, poorly maintained stairs, inadequate lighting, and other dangerous conditions at businesses and residences can prove fatal, particularly for elderly residents.
- Defective products: When manufacturers fail to ensure their products’ safety, faulty vehicle parts, dangerous medications, malfunctioning medical devices, and other product defects can cause deaths.
What Steps Should You Take After Losing a Loved One?
The period immediately following a wrongful death often feels overwhelming and grieving should take priority. However, there are actions you can take to protect your family’s legal rights and strengthen any future claim, including:
- Preserve any evidence related to the incident. This includes photographs, witness contact information, police reports, medical records, and any physical items involved.
- Don’t sign any documents from insurance companies or make recorded statements without legal guidance. Insurance adjusters may seem sympathetic, but their goal is to minimize payouts for their companies.
- Keep receipts for all funeral expenses, medical bills, and other costs arising from the death. Note the emotional and practical ways the loss affects your family.
- Seek legal counsel before the evidence disappears or witnesses forget details. An experienced attorney can handle the investigation while you focus on supporting your family through this difficult time.
Why Choose Local Representation for Your Wrongful Death Case?
Selecting an attorney who knows Norvelt and the surrounding Westmoreland County area provides distinct advantages in wrongful death cases. Local knowledge matters when dealing with area hospitals, police departments, and courts. At Stine & Associates, P.C., our Greensburg office has served families throughout western and central Pennsylvania since 2007.
Attorney Cindy Stine brings both the skills of her experience at a large Pittsburgh firm and the personal attention only a dedicated local practice can provide. She understands the local economy, major employers, and common hazards that lead to fatal incidents in our community. This familiarity helps build stronger cases because she knows which local experts to consult, understands jury perspectives, and maintains relationships with court personnel.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis for wrongful death cases. This means you pay nothing up front and owe no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for your family. We believe financial concerns shouldn’t prevent grieving families from seeking justice.
Contact Us Today
Losing someone you love because of another’s carelessness or recklessness creates a unique kind of pain. At Stine & Associates, P.C., we can’t undo the tragedy your family has experienced, but we can fight to ensure those responsible face accountability and that your family receives the financial security you deserve. Attorney Cindy Stine will handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim, from investigating the incident to negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case at trial.
Contact Stine & Associates, P.C. today for a free consultation. Let us shoulder the legal burden while you focus on healing, remembering, and supporting each other through this challenging time.