Wrongful Death Attorney in Allentown, PA
When someone acts carelessly or negligently, they can cause serious harm. Sometimes, these actions even result in the tragic passing of people involved in the incident. If your loved one has passed away because of an accident or their injuries after an accident, you have legal options. The Allentown wrongful death lawyers at Kalikhman & Rayz know what a difficult time this is for you and your family, and we’re here to offer our services.
While no amount of money can ever make up for your loss, we hope our fight for compensation can help bring you peace of mind and help during these difficult times. Call Kalikhman & Rayz now to get started with a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
What Can a Wrongful Death Lawyer Do for My Allentown Case?
The death of a loved one already presents many challenges for surviving family. When their death is the result of negligence, there are even more issues to deal with. Trying to argue with insurers about a payout is a nightmare for families, as they are trying to mourn and handle their loved one’s estate and other matters. It’s easy to just accept a low settlement or give up the fight for wrongful death damages altogether.
Our Allentown injury lawyers can help you with your case and alleviate you of these burdens. You should not have to sacrifice your right to damages because you’re in mourning, and you deserve compensation for your losses and your loved one’s suffering.
Kalikhman & Rayz believes in holding negligent parties accountable for their actions, and we take on many tasks and responsibilities to make this a reality. We help by:
Reviewing Your Losses
Wrongful death cases can involve many kinds of losses, both tangible and intangible. While some of these losses may seem simple to calculate, there are many others that don’t have an easily identifiable value or may need to reflect long-term needs.
Our Allentown wrongful death lawyers will make sure to thoroughly review your losses and draw on our resources and experience to help determine a figure that will compensate you for all of your expenses and injuries.
Identifying Liable Parties and Determining Liability
No matter how simple a case may seem, proving liability and identifying all responsible parties requires knowledge of Pennsylvania tort law. Our Allentown lawyers will review your case and prove that the other party’s actions were negligent. If there are multiple parties involved, or another entity is responsible for paying for your losses, we will make sure to identify them.
At-fault parties will try to shift blame onto others, circumstances out of their control, or even you. Our legal team will help fight back against these attempts and work to get you full and fair compensation for your loved one’s wrongful death.
Taking Over Any Communications with Insurers and Other Parties
A wrongful death claim or suit involves constant communication with various insurance companies and representatives, eyewitnesses, and various experts and professionals, among others. This is too much for you to take on normally, let alone in these difficult circumstances after your family member’s passing.
The Allentown wrongful death attorneys at Kalikhman & Rayz are determined to help make your life easier and take on all these necessary but stressful communications.
Not only does this take some burdens off your shoulders, but it prevents insurers from trying to use your own statements against you. Insurers may try to get you to say that the accident was entirely your loved one’s fault, or something else that hurts your case.
Representing You During Negotiations or At Trial
When it comes to injury and wrongful death cases, our lawyers will try to resolve your case during negotiations with the at-fault party. We can work out a settlement that addresses all of your losses without going to court. The at-fault parties typically do not want to go to court, so we see a lot of cases that don’t go all the way to trial.
However, insurers are not always cooperative. They may try to drag things out or refuse to offer an adequate settlement. If this is the case, we are prepared to take your case to court and represent you at trial. No matter how your case is resolved, our award-winning team will provide dedicated and personalized attention to you and your case.
Our Allentown Lawyers Handle Many Wrongful Death Cases
Any accident that can cause injuries can also cause fatalities. Sometimes, accident victims survive the initial incident, but later pass away due to their injuries. If negligent or careless behavior caused this tragedy, we want to help. Some of the cases we take include:
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles are by far some of the most common cases our lawyers see. Vehicle operators and passengers on Allentown’s busy roads run the risk of a car accident every day on highways and roads like I-78, 309, Hamilton Boulevard, and other major roads.
Auto accidents and motorcycle accidents are often the result of careless drivers disobeying the rules of the road. For example, some drivers may text or otherwise drive while distracted, and they end up causing serious harm. Perhaps the other driver was speeding while the roads were wet or icy, and they were unable to stop safely, causing a fatal accident. Whatever the cause, we will demonstrate that their actions caused the loss of your loved one.
Commercial truck accidents can be devastating and incredibly complex. Our lawyers will factor any state and federal regulations into our assessment of the case. While truck drivers may be negligent and cause your accident, other parties, like the trucking company or truck maintenance company, could be negligent if their actions, or inactions, caused the truck accident.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Many people do not realize just how deadly a slip and fall accident can be to victims, regardless of age. It’s important for property owners of all types to stay alert of potential hazards on their properties and address the issues in a timely manner. A failure to do so can have devastating consequences for victims and their families. Some possible causes include:
- Icy or wet sidewalks and roads
- Spills or leaks that caused puddled to form
- Broken or loose stair railings
- Debris on walkways or stairs
Slip and fall accidents can be tricky to manage alone—it’s important to identify who was responsible for the property, and if the hazard was a result of negligence. Our lawyers will make sure to investigate the case thoroughly to identify these parties and the causes of your loved one’s fall.
Other Premises Liability Incidents
Slip and falls are not the only premises liability accidents we handle. We help with incidents involving:
- Dog bites: Dog owners are almost always liable when their pet bites someone, but owners may try to blame your loved one for the attack.
- Negligent security: If inadequate security led to a fatal attack of your loved one, we may be able to hold an entity liable for their death. For example, if your family member was attacked at the Lehigh Valley Mall due to a poorly lit area or inadequate security, the mall could be liable for their death.
- Swimming pools: Whether the pool was in a private home or in a public area, someone’s negligence could have led to tragedy.
- Fires: Some fires could be the result of negligence. For example, a defective electrical product could have started a fire, and we may be able to hold a manufacturer or designer liable for your loved one’s death.
If your loved one’s accident is not listed above, you can still call us for a case evaluation, and we can see if we’re able to help.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, Allentown residents know too well how dangerous roads can be for bicyclists and pedestrians. If your loved one was walking or riding a bike and was hit by a negligent driver, we can absolutely fight for fair compensation.
"The outcome of a case often comes down to preparation. We build every claim as if it may go to trial."
Damages in an Allentown Wrongful Death Case
The loss of a loved one can cause major emotional and financial distress, especially when someone’s thoughtless actions are to blame. Our personal injury lawyers are here to represent you and your loved one and hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they have inflicted. We may be able to fight for full and fair compensation to cover:
- Any medical expenses your loved one accumulated before their passing after the accident
- Pain and suffering your loved one dealt with before their death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of services of a loved one
- Loss of consortium and companionship
To seek these and other expenses in a wrongful death lawsuit, make sure you act quickly. Per 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), you only have two years to take action. The sooner you call our team, the better.
Our Process for Your Case
Here's our step-by-step process:
Meet With Us
We'll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain what you can expect moving forward.
Focus on Recovery
Your health comes first. While you receive treatment, we stay in touch and begin building the foundation of your case.
Build Your Case
We gather evidence, review medical records, and document the full impact of your injuries.
Evaluate Your Claim
We assess your case, prepare your claim, and begin negotiating with the insurance company.
Fight for Your Future
If the insurance company refuses to treat your case fairly, we're prepared to move forward with litigation and continue advocating for you.
Put a Team on Your Side That Fights to Win
Choosing the right injury lawyer can make the recovery process less stressful. Our attorneys personally handle your case, keep you informed, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation before your filing deadline expires.
Giving Back by Getting Results
We got into personal injury law to help our neighbors face some of the toughest moments of their lives. Helped clients recover tens of millions of dollars in compensation, with results like:
Offices Across Southeastern Pennsylvania
Our firm serves the greater Philadelphia area and the rest of Southeast Pennsylvania. You can visit us or call us at one of our conveniently located offices:
FAQs
Who is legally allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can initially file a wrongful death lawsuit. If they do not act within six months, any beneficiary such as a spouse, child, or parent may file the claim on behalf of all eligible heirs in Allentown.
How long does it typically take to settle a wrongful death case in Lehigh County?
Wrongful death timelines in Lehigh County vary based on case complexity and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate. While some resolve in several months, many take one to four years. A Kalikhman & Rayz lawyer can help by managing filings and discovery to move the process forward as efficiently as possible.
Is there a deadline to file if the death happened during a medical procedure in Allentown?
In Allentown, you generally have two years from the date of death to file both wrongful death and survival actions. Under Pennsylvania’s MCARE Act, this deadline applies even if the underlying medical negligence occurred much earlier, as the clock officially starts at the time of death.
What if the deceased did not have a will or an estate plan? Can the family still file for Wrongful Death?
Yes, you can still file. If there is no will, an Allentown court will appoint an “administrator” (usually a spouse or child) to serve as the personal representative. Compensation is then distributed to the spouse, children, or parents according to Pennsylvania’s intestate laws, which dictate inheritance without a will.
Resources for Injury Victims
The aftermath of an accident can be a lot to handle. Here are some resources to get you started before you call our team:
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Go Bald or Go Broke
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Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
Let's Build Your Case the Right Way From the Start
The decisions made early in your case can have a lasting impact on the outcome. Start with a team that takes a more thoughtful, strategic approach from day one.
