Blog: Wrongful Death

Wrongful death lawsuit against borough and law enforcement allowed

Mar 9, 2012

The family of a Pennsylvania man who died while in police custody recently learned it would be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the borough, former police chief and captain it believes are responsible for his death. The chance to pursue this lawsuit was made known in a memorandum issued by a U.S. District Judge. The parents of the man, who died in November 2004, initially filed a wrongful death lawsuit in November...

Guilty plea from man behind the wheel in deadly car accident

Mar 7, 2012

In September 2010, a then 17-year-old teenager was driving a car that crashed in Pennsylvania. That crash killed his passenger, a 16-year-old girl. Police believe that at the time of the motor vehicle accident the driver was intoxicated. Prior to the crash the vehicle the man was driving reportedly ran a red light. He then attempted to get away from the police by speeding up to 100 mph. The chase ended when the man rolled...

Car accident in Penn Hills results in one death

Feb 24, 2012

This past weekend a fatal car accident occurred in Penn Hills. The accident involved two vehicles that collided on Verona Road. Prior to the accident it appears that a vehicle driven by a 28-year-old woman was speeding and driving erratically on Verona Road. As it crossed Frankstown Road, a Penn Hills police officer passed the SUV driving in the opposite direction. That police officer reportedly turned around and turned on its lights planning to try...

Pennsylvania gas explosion causes more than wrongful death

Feb 23, 2012

A gas explosion, or any accident, that causes death, is a tragic event. If there is factual evidence that the tragedy could have been avoided, the question of wrongful death becomes relevant. A gas explosion in Pennsylvania around a year ago resulted in an Allentown man losing his 16-year-old daughter, 4-month-old grandson and his 69-year-old mother–his entire world. Now living in Norristown with his aunt and uncle, the devastated man is doing his utmost to...

Erie man faces trial for fatal DUI car accident

Feb 21, 2012

A man from Erie, Pennsylvania will go to trial to face charges stemming from a fatal car accident on Jan. 6, 2012. The man stands accused of a litany of charges for the car accident, including: aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person and several other traffic violations. Police reported that the 25-year-old man was driving a 2000 Dodge Neon...

Two-trial system found constitutional by Ohio court

Feb 17, 2012

A wrongful death and medical malpractice case involving nursing homes in northeast Ohio recently provided the opportunity for the Ohio Supreme Court to weigh in on the matter of the process by which compensation can be sought. The original wrongful death and medical malpractice case was brought against the nursing homes by the estate of a now deceased resident. Before dying, the resident had undergone surgery for ulcers. The issue being examined by the court...

Fatal pedestrian accident in downtown Pittsburgh

Feb 15, 2012

Last month a pedestrian accident occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that resulted in the death of a man. The 61-year-old man was hit by a car during rush hour where Liberty Avenue and Grant Street intersect. After the accident, the man, from Baden, was reportedly alert and talking with the paramedics who were attending to his injuries. Despite having sustained injuries to both his head and torso, he was considered to be in stable condition and...

Trial of man charged in death of motorcyclist delayed

Jan 25, 2012

A Pennsylvania man facing trial for his involvement in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a 45-year-old motorcyclist this past fall, will have to wait a bit longer for his day in court. The trial which was scheduled to start this week was postponed last week. The accident occurred when a Honda reportedly driven by the 26-year-old defendant, hit the back end of a Ford Focus, which in turn hit the...

Erie woman involved in fire succumbs to injuries

Jan 13, 2012

Earlier this week a Pennsylvania woman who had been involved in an apartment fire died in the hospital. The woman’s husband had previously died as a result of injuries sustained in the early morning fire that took place at their apartment in Erie this past Sunday. According to the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office, the 51-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries this past Sunday evening less than 12 hours after the fire was reported. At...

Pennsylvania MVA fatalities down over New Year’s holiday

Jan 5, 2012

The joyous New Year's holiday is often marred by fatal car accidents. In Pennsylvania this is due to many reasons including bad weather, slick roads and drunk drivers. The numbers regarding accidents this year, between December 30, 2011, and January 2, 2012, are in, and the results are mixed. According to Pennsylvania State Police, across the state, 10 people died in car crashes. That is down one from last year, when 11 people died. Of...