878-888-7878

878-888-7878

Lancaster Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Recoveries

Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Victims

Fill out and submit the form below for a confidential legal review:

Justice for a Wrongful Death in the Heart of Lancaster County

Life in Lancaster County moves at its own pace, governed by the seasons and the timeless rhythm of the land. But the peaceful landscape of our rolling hills and winding country roads can mask unique dangers. When a fatal accident occurs here—whether it’s on a narrow road shared with a horse-drawn buggy or on a family farm—the loss is an unnatural disruption to our community.

The Killino Firm’s wrongful death lawyers understand the specific challenges of these cases. We have the experience to investigate accidents that are unique to Lancaster County and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Accountability for Rural Negligence

A wrongful death claim is about accountability. In Lancaster County, that often means proving a driver failed to adjust their speed for a blind curve or that an equipment manufacturer sold a defective product. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care for the specific conditions, and our rural environment demands a higher level of caution. We work to prove that this duty was broken and that the breach directly caused the death.

Comprehensive Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Guide

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Lancaster County

  • Accidents on Winding Country Roads: Unlike major highways, our rural roads are often narrow, poorly lit, and lack shoulders. We investigate fatal crashes caused by drivers who are speeding, distracted, or fail to safely share the road with slow-moving farm equipment and horse-drawn buggies.
  • Tragic Agricultural Accidents: Farming is one of America’s most dangerous occupations. A wrongful death can result from a tractor rollover, a grain silo accident, or a machinery malfunction. Our lawyers investigate not just the accident itself but also the liability of any third parties, such as the manufacturer of defective farm equipment.
  • Medical Malpractice: When a preventable mistake at a local hospital or clinic results in a death, it is a profound betrayal. Our team has the medical and legal expertise to uncover the truth in these complex cases.

Who Represents the Estate in Lancaster County?

A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by the estate’s personal representative. This is the “executor” named in a will or an “administrator” appointed by the Lancaster County Register of Wills. Our lawyers help handle the entire legal process of establishing the estate and getting this person appointed, a crucial first step toward justice.

Valuing a Life in a Wrongful Death Case

Compensation in a wrongful death case includes two parts: the Survival Action for the decedent’s suffering and the Wrongful Death Claim for the family’s losses. In an agricultural community, calculating the family’s loss can be complex, involving the lost value of labor on a family farm and other unique contributions. Our lawyers work with forensic economists to ensure the full value of the loss is recognized.

Lancaster's Premier Trauma Center Where Critical Injuries Are Treated

When a catastrophic, life-threatening injury occurs in Lancaster County, the fight to save a life is centered at our region’s top trauma center.

  • Lancaster General Hospital: As part of the prestigious Penn Medicine system, Lancaster General Hospital is the only state-accredited Level I Trauma Center in Lancaster County. This designation means it provides the highest possible level of 24/7 surgical and specialty care for the most critically injured patients in our community. 

Finding Your Footing: Grief Support Resources for Lancaster Families

Grief can make you feel like the ground has disappeared from beneath your feet. Connecting with others who understand can help you find your footing again. Here are some of the best grief and bereavement resources available to families in the Lancaster area.

  • The Pathways Center for Grief & Loss: This is an incredible community resource provided by Hospice & Community Care. They offer individual counseling, support groups, and programs for grieving children and adults that are open to anyone in the community, regardless of whether they have used hospice services.
  • The Compassionate Friends – Lancaster Chapter: A peer-support organization offering friendship and understanding to local families who have experienced the devastating loss of a child. Sharing your story with others who truly “get it” can be a powerful part of healing.
  • Tides: While based in Centre County, Tides is a wonderful resource that provides peer support for grieving children, teens, and their families, and they can often help connect people to resources “near me” in surrounding areas.

Key Takeaways for a Lancaster Wrongful Death Claim

  • A wrongful death is a death caused by the negligence of another, giving the family a right to seek justice.
  • Common causes in Lancaster County include accidents on rural roads, tragic agricultural and workplace incidents, and medical malpractice.
  • A lawsuit must be filed by the “personal representative” of the estate within two years of the death, a strict deadline in Pennsylvania.
  • A family can recover compensation for their own losses (Wrongful Death Claim) and for their loved one’s suffering before death (Survival Action).
  • Winning requires a firm that acts as a forensic investigator, digging deep to find the evidence needed to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Common Questions Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Are Asked

This is a difficult but important question. In some cases, it may be possible to pursue a claim against their employer (if they were working at the time) or another third party. It is also why carrying sufficient “uninsured/underinsured motorist” coverage on your own auto insurance policy is so critical. We will investigate every possible source of recovery for your family.

This is a very sensitive situation we see in cases like single-car accidents. It is important to understand that a wrongful death claim in essence is almost always made against the person’s insurance company, not against the person themselves. The goal is to get your family the financial support you are entitled to from the insurance policy that was paid for to cover exactly this type of tragedy.

This is a critical part of our strategy. We don’t just find any expert; we find the right expert. We have a national network of leading professionals—doctors from top teaching hospitals, former investigators for crashes, top engineers for product failures. We choose an expert whose specific background and communication skills are the perfect fit to explain the complex issues of your case to a jury in a clear, credible, and powerful way.

The most important first step is to preserve any evidence you can and to contact our firm for a free, completely confidential consultation. Do not speak with any insurance adjusters. The two-year deadline in Pennsylvania is absolute, and the other side starts building their defense immediately. A consultation allows you to get answers, understand your rights, and have a team of experienced professionals begin the fight for justice on your behalf.

NO COST, NO OBLIGATION,
CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION.

Testimonials

Text With Us

We'll text you!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Privacy Policy

Call Me

We'll call you!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name:*

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Privacy Policy

Book A Consultation

We're ready to answer your questions!

Email Us

We're available by email!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name:*

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Privacy Policy

Text With Us

We'll text you!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Privacy Policy

Call Me

We'll call you!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name:*

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Privacy Policy