Pennsylvania law defines a wrongful death as “the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.”
A wrongful death lawsuit, also referred to as a wrongful death action, is a lawsuit filed in civil court that seeks the recovery of damages from a party who is legally liable for the wrongful death. Wrongful death actions seek compensation for damage to the family members resulting from the death (such as loss of the deceased person’s income and support), as well as “special damages” that can include medical and funeral expenses relating to the death.