Reading Wrongful Death Attorney
When a loved one passes away due to the negligent actions of someone else, you will likely deal with questions in addition to your overwhelming grief. How will you handle their loss financially if they were the main provider for your family? Will you be able to get justice for this deeply unfair loss? Our Reading wrongful death lawyers are here for you during these uncertain times.
At Kalikhman & Rayz, we’ve been fighting for injury victims since 2005. Our compassionate Reading personal injury attorneys will support you and your family throughout the legal process. Contact us today for a free case review.
How Our Attorneys Can Help with a Wrongful Death Claim
We understand the grief and stress that you and your family are going through, and we strive to help our clients rebuild their lives after tragedy. Big insurance companies do not have grieving family’s best interests at heart, and we’ll fight back against their underhanded tactics. Our case results are a testament to how we advocate for our clients to receive the maximum compensation allowable for your case.
Our team will:
- Investigate your loved one’s accident to ensure that we have determined all liable parties
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- File all necessary paperwork, ensuring it is accurate and complete
- Handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company
- Offer advice on any settlement offers you receive
- Represent your case in court if needed
When you call us, you always speak directly with your attorney. We will answer any questions you have because we know that well-informed clients can make the best decisions about their case.
What Compensation Is Recoverable in Reading Wrongful Death Cases?
After the loss of a loved one, the financial strain of their lost income, medical bills from their emergency care, and funeral expenses can quickly become overwhelming. While you should be able to focus on the grieving process and spending time with your family, you’re instead worrying about your financial future. Fair compensation in a wrongful death claim can ease this burden by accounting for both financial losses and non-economic ones.
Recoverable compensation can include coverage for losses like:
- The loss of your loved one’s financial support
- Their medical expenses, including emergency medical services such as they might have received at the Reading Hospital Emergency Department or another facility
- Funeral expenses
- Burial or cremation costs
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Loss of their protection and companionship
Our Reading lawyers will look at all the long-term impacts of your loved one’s loss on your life. We will seek the fair compensation you deserve. Contact Kalikhman & Rayz to discuss your legal options after a wrongful death.
"The outcome of a case often comes down to preparation. We build every claim as if it may go to trial."
How Is Negligence Proven After a Wrongful Death in Reading?
To successfully seek justice, your lawyer must prove that someone’s careless actions directly led to your loved one’s death. Negligence requires four key criteria:
- The at-fault party owed your loved one a duty of care.
- They breached this duty by acting negligently or recklessly.
- These actions directly caused your loved one’s injuries.
- Your loved one suffered losses due to the negligent actions.
Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law, compensation in personal injury cases can be reduced by a victim’s percentage of fault. Insurance companies may try to use this law by shifting more blame onto your loved one so they can offer a lower settlement. Your lawyer will work to prove these negligence elements have been met and combat any unfair insurer tactics. We will do so through careful investigation of the incident. We may:
- Interview eyewitnesses
- Secure surveillance footage of the event from dashcams, security cameras, or other sources
- Analyze physical evidence from the accident
- Obtain official documents, such as police reports and driving records
- Consult experts, such as an accident reconstructionist
It’s important to note that evidence in wrongful death cases can be time sensitive—the longer you wait, the harder it will be to gather evidence of negligence. Additionally, 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2) gives you two years to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania. If you miss this window of time, you could lose the right to seek damages.
Get started on your case as soon as possible by contacting our legal team at Kalikhman & Rayz.
Affording a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Wrongful Death in Reading
The financial strain of a loved one’s passing can be stressful, and you may be hesitant to add on an additional expense by hiring a lawyer. However, we believe that victims should have legal representation no matter their financial situation, so our lawyers work on contingency fees.
With a contingency fee basis, you pay no upfront costs. Instead, you only pay your lawyer if we recover compensation. At that stage, our fees are deducted as an agreed upon percentage from your settlement.
What Should You Do After a Wrongful Death in Reading
If a loved one lost their life after an incident where someone acted negligently, there are a few actions you can take that may help preserve your legal rights.
- Document Everything: Keep track of receipts related to funeral and burial expenses, your loved one’s medical care, and anything else related to the accident. For example, if they passed away due to a car accident, then car repair or replacement may be eligible for compensation.
- Avoid Talking to Insurers on Your Own: Insurance adjusters may try to talk to you relatively soon after your loved one’s passing. As they may try to shift blame onto your loved one, it’s best to talk to them with a lawyer present.
Our attorneys can help you document your losses and gather evidence on your behalf. We will also ensure that your legal rights are protected during conversations with insurance companies.
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 entitled to file a wrongful death claim in Reading, PA?
In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. However, the recovered damages are distributed to the surviving spouse, children, or parents. If no personal representative exists, eligible family members may petition the court to appoint one in Reading, PA.
How long does a wrongful death lawsuit typically take to resolve in Berks County, PA?
Wrongful death lawsuits in Berks County typically take anywhere from one to three years to resolve, depending on case complexity, the number of liable parties, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases involving disputed liability or multiple defendants generally take longer to reach a final resolution.
If my loved one died without a will, does that affect our wrongful death claim in Reading, PA?
Dying without a will does not prevent a wrongful death claim in Reading, PA. However, the court will need to appoint an administrator for the estate to file the claim. Compensation is then distributed to eligible surviving family members according to Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws.
Is it possible to file a wrongful death claim against a government entity in Reading or Berks County, Pennsylvania?
Yes, but special rules apply. Claims against government entities in Reading or Berks County require strict notice deadlines, often as short as six months. Pennsylvania’s sovereign immunity laws also limit recoverable damages. Consulting a wrongful death attorney promptly is essential to preserving your right to compensation.
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
Go Bald or Go Broke
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Go Bald or Go Broke
Go Bald or Go Broke
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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.
