Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Victims
Reading is a city with a backbone. We are a hardworking community where fairness and responsibility are woven into our fabric. So, when a life is cut short in a wrongful death caused by someone’s careless choice, it strikes at the heart of our community’s values.
Losing a family member is a devastating blow. But when that loss was a preventable wrongful death—caused by a negligent driver on the bypass, a mistake in a hospital, or neglect in a nursing home—grief is magnified by a need for answers and justice.
If your family is living this nightmare, you do not have to carry this burden alone. For many years, the wrongful death lawyers at The Killino Firm have been a source of strength for families across the country. Our mission is to be your voice, fighting for the justice your loved one deserves after a wrongful death and the security your family needs.
When a preventable wrongful death occurs, the scales of justice are thrown out of balance. A wrongful death claim is the legal system’s way of restoring that balance. It is a lawsuit filed when a person’s death is caused by the legal fault of another.
Under Pennsylvania law (42 Pa. C.S.A. § 8301), the key is proving the wrongful death was caused by a “wrongful act or neglect.” “Neglect” means someone had a duty to act safely, and they failed.
When that duty is broken and a life is lost, a wrongful death lawyer can potentially file a wrongful death claim to hold the negligent party accountable.
A wrongful death can happen in many ways. Our wrongful death lawyers have found that most tragedies fall into a few common categories, each requiring a dedicated legal strategy to secure justice for the victim’s family.
The roads in and around Reading, from the Warren Street Bypass (Route 422) to Route 61, can be tragically dangerous. A wrongful death lawsuit often stems from a driver’s preventable error, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable, and a driver’s failure to see a rider or an unsafe lane change can have fatal consequences. Our investigation into a fatal car or motorcycle accident goes far beyond the police report to prove negligence and build the strongest possible wrongful death case.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors. When they fail in this duty and it results in a fatal accident, it is grounds for a wrongful death claim. This can include a deadly slip and fall on an icy, unsalted walkway, a drowning in an unsecured swimming pool, a fatal fire caused by neglected wiring, or an assault that occurs due to negligent security. A wrongful death lawyer works to hold the negligent property owner accountable for the hazardous conditions that led to the loss of life.
Every worker has the right to a safe job site. When a fatal accident occurs at work, the family may have more options than just workers’ compensation. While you generally cannot sue a direct employer, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against a negligent third party. This could be a different subcontractor on a construction site who created a hazard, the manufacturer of a defective piece of machinery, or the driver from another company who caused a fatal collision. Our wrongful death lawyers specialize in investigating these complex third-party claims to secure full justice for the family.
As self-driving and driver-assist technologies become more common, they introduce new and complex legal questions when a fatal accident occurs. Determining liability in these cases is a significant challenge. Was the wrongful death caused by the driver’s inattention, a flaw in the vehicle’s software, a defective sensor, or the manufacturer’s failure to warn of the system’s limitations? These cutting-edge wrongful death cases require a highly skilled wrongful death lawyer with the technical resources to unravel the chain of negligence and identify all responsible parties.
Pennsylvania law is specific about who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. The case must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate.
This person acts on behalf of all legal beneficiaries (spouse, children, and parents). Our wrongful death lawyer team can guide your family through this entire legal process.
When our wrongful death lawyers seek justice, we pursue two separate claims to address the complete loss your family has suffered.
The Wrongful Death Claim: This claim is for the family. It is intended to compensate surviving family members for their immense losses, including lost financial support, funeral costs, and the loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
The Survival Action: This claim is for your loved one. It is brought on behalf of their estate to recover for the harm and suffering they went through, including their conscious pain and suffering.
After a wrongful death, you are vulnerable. The at-fault party’s insurance company knows this and will try to offer a quick, low settlement. You need a wrongful death lawyer who will act as both your protector and your champion.
When a life-threatening injury occurs in Berks County, the fight for survival is led by our region’s top trauma center.
Grief can be a lonely journey, but you do not have to walk it alone. Finding the best support “near me” is a vital part of healing. Here are some of the most respected resources available to families in the Reading area.
Key Takeaways for a Reading, PA Wrongful Death Claim
A deposition is a formal, out-of-court interview where the other side’s lawyers will ask you questions under oath, with a court reporter present. It is a normal part of the evidence-gathering phase of a lawsuit. Yes, key family members will likely have a deposition. It can be an emotional day, but our team will spend hours preparing you. We will be right beside you to protect you and guide you through the entire process.
This is a central challenge in a Survival Action, and it requires a skillful and compassionate investigation. We prove pain and suffering through several means: the testimony of family members and first responders who were with them, detailed medical records that document their injuries and treatments, and the powerful testimony of medical experts who can explain to a jury the level of pain associated with those specific injuries.
We understand and deeply respect your family’s privacy. While court filings are technically public records, we take active measures to protect your confidentiality through legal tools like protective orders. Furthermore, the vast majority of wrongful death cases—well over 90%—are resolved through confidential settlement agreements before ever reaching a public trial, ensuring your family’s privacy is maintained.
There is no set timeline, as every case is different. Simple cases might settle in about a year, while complex cases involving multiple defendants that go to trial can take several years. Insurance companies often try to use delays as a tactic. Our commitment is to move your case forward as efficiently as possible while never sacrificing the thorough preparation needed to win.
The most important first step is to contact our firm for a free, completely confidential consultation. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company. The two-year deadline in Pennsylvania is absolute, and evidence that is crucial to your case can disappear quickly. A consultation allows you to get immediate answers and have a team of experienced professionals begin the fight for justice on your behalf.
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