Quinlan Law Group crestQuinlan Law Group
Statewide Representation

Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Attorney

When negligence takes a life, Pennsylvania law gives surviving family members the right to recover for what was lost. We pursue these cases with the seriousness they deserve.

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Why these cases are different

What sets Pennsylvania wrongful death cases apart

  • Pennsylvania has two parallel statutes — the Wrongful Death Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8301) compensates the family, and the Survival Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8302) compensates the estate. Both must be pleaded correctly to recover everything the law allows.

  • Recoverable damages include the loss of the decedent's earnings, the loss of services and companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and the pain the decedent endured before death.

  • Punitive damages are available where the at-fault party's conduct was outrageous, reckless, or grossly negligent.

  • Wrongful death claims arise in truck crashes, motor vehicle collisions, motorcycle crashes, construction accidents, medical errors, and nursing-home neglect.

  • These cases require a personal, patient approach — we work around the family's grief, not against it.

Our Approach

How we build your wrongful death case

  1. 1

    Early conversation with the family to understand who the decedent was, who depends on them, and what evidence already exists.

  2. 2

    Independent investigation: scene reconstruction, witness statements, employment and earnings records, and (when relevant) medical and autopsy review.

  3. 3

    Probate coordination so a personal representative is properly appointed to bring the Survival Act claim.

  4. 4

    Damages model built with economists and life-care planners to capture lifetime financial loss.

  5. 5

    Settlement negotiation or trial — we prepare every wrongful death case as if it will be tried.

Recoverable Damages

What you may be entitled to recover

Pennsylvania law allows victims of wrongful deaths to recover both economic and non-economic damages. The categories below apply to most Pennsylvania cases — the specific value of your claim depends on the facts.

  • Loss of the decedent's earnings and earning capacity over the remainder of their working life
  • Loss of household services, guidance, and companionship
  • Funeral, burial, and estate administration expenses
  • Conscious pain and suffering experienced by the decedent before death (Survival Act)
  • Medical expenses incurred between the injury and death
  • Punitive damages in cases of outrageous or reckless conduct
Local Coverage

Wrongful Death Attorney near you

We handle wrongful death cases throughout Pennsylvania. Choose the city or county closest to where your wrongful death happened for a local overview and the courthouse, hospital, and roadway context that matters for your claim.

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From Our Insights

Pennsylvania wrongful death guides

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Deep Local Resources

Corridors, courts, and trauma centers

High-risk Pennsylvania corridors

Crash-pattern guides for the highways where wrongful deaths happen most often.

Pennsylvania lakes we cover

Lake-by-lake guides to boating accident claims, investigating agencies, and local risk patterns.

Where these cases are litigated

How injury cases move through Pennsylvania's busiest civil courts.

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Talk to Sean Quinlan about your wrongful death case.

No Fee Unless We Win. Call now or request a free case review and Sean Quinlan will personally evaluate your case.

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FAQ

Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Attorney FAQs

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, the decedent's personal representative (executor or administrator) brings the claim on behalf of the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. If the personal representative does not file within six months, any beneficiary may file.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of death. Some cases involving a delayed discovery of the cause of death may have a discovery rule that extends this deadline — call us so we can analyze your specific case.

Can we file both a wrongful death and a survival action?

Yes — they are separate claims with separate damages. Wrongful death compensates the family for their losses; the survival action compensates the estate for what the decedent suffered between the injury and death. Most Pennsylvania cases plead both.

Is a settlement taxable?

Generally, wrongful death and personal injury settlements are not subject to federal income tax. Punitive damages and interest may be taxable. We always recommend coordinating with a tax professional on the final allocation.

What does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney?

Nothing up front. We handle Pennsylvania wrongful death cases on a contingency fee — our fee comes out of the recovery, and there is no fee if we do not recover for your family.