— PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEYS
Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyers
Losing someone you love to another’s negligence is a wound no legal case can heal. What a claim can do is provide accountability, answers, and the financial security your family needs to move forward. At Fritz & Bianculli, we handle these cases with compassion and determination in equal measure, so your family can grieve while we carry the fight.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim seeks compensation when a person dies because of someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct — in a car or truck crash, a workplace or construction accident, an act of medical malpractice, or nursing home neglect, among other causes. It is a civil claim, separate from any criminal case, and it exists to help the people the deceased left behind.
Wrongful Death Action vs. Survival Action
Pennsylvania recognizes two related claims. A wrongful death action compensates surviving family members for their losses — lost financial support, lost guidance and companionship, and funeral expenses. A survival action is brought by the estate for what the deceased personally endured before death, such as conscious pain and lost future earnings. Pursuing both, where appropriate, ensures the full harm is recognized. New Jersey provides a similar framework.
Who Can File and What Can Be Recovered
In Pennsylvania, the personal representative of the estate files the claim on behalf of surviving beneficiaries — typically a spouse, children, or parents. Recoverable damages can include medical and funeral costs, lost income and benefits, and the profound loss of a loved one’s care and companionship. The general deadline is two years from the date of death, so it is important to speak with an attorney when you are able.
Serving Philadelphia and New Jersey
From our offices in South Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, and Sewell, New Jersey, we represent injured people throughout the Philadelphia region and across New Jersey — with a special focus on South Jersey, from the Delaware River communities all the way to the Jersey Shore.
If your family has lost someone to negligence, we are here when you are ready. Call Fritz & Bianculli at (215) 458-2222 for a free, confidential consultation. You pay no attorney fee unless we win, we are available 24/7, and we have Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking staff ready to help.
RECOGNITION
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate files the wrongful death action on behalf of surviving beneficiaries — typically the spouse, children, or parents. If the representative does not file within six months, a beneficiary may file.
What is the difference between a wrongful death and a survival action?
A wrongful death action compensates surviving family members for their losses (support, guidance, funeral costs). A survival action is brought by the estate for the losses the deceased personally suffered before death, such as pain and lost earnings. Pennsylvania allows both.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years of the date of death. Because evidence can disappear quickly, families are encouraged to consult an attorney as soon as they are able.
How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death lawyer?
Fritz & Bianculli handle wrongful death cases on contingency. The initial consultation is free and confidential, and the family pays no attorney fee unless the firm recovers compensation.