What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in PA?

Scartelli Olszewski P.C.

In 2023, more than 1,200 people died in Pennsylvania during motor vehicle accidents. This number represented a 2.5% increase over the previous year.

If your loved one was one of them, you and other surviving family members can consider working with a law firm to file a wrongful death lawsuit. You can sue those to blame for a loved one’s death, both in car accident cases and in other accident-related cases.

So, what is the average wrongful death settlement in the U.S. and, more specifically, in Pennsylvania? It can be tricky nailing it down because of all the circumstances surrounding settlements. But it would be worth exploring it to find out if your family should start reaching out to wrongful death attorneys.

Learn the average settlements in wrongful death cases in the U.S. and Pennsylvania below.

What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in the U.S.?

According to the CDC, more than 227,000 Americans die each year after sustaining unintentional injuries. Some die in car accidents or truck crashes, while others die in workplace incidents and even from medical errors made by doctors.

Because of this, families file tens of thousands of wrongful death cases each year while dealing with emotional distress. For many of them, it’s hard to put a price tag on a loved one’s death since no amount of money can bring them back.

It’s difficult to provide a definitive answer to the question, “What is the average wrongful death settlement in the U.S.?” because of this. So many factors can impact wrongful death settlements, including:

• The age of the person who died in a wrongful death case.
• The earning power of the person who died.
• The number of immediate family members a deceased person had.

Some claim if a person who died a wrongful death was elderly and not generating a steady income anymore, their case is worth less than that of a younger person who suffered a wrongful death. While in some cases this may be true, it is not always the case. Every case is unique, just like every life is unique. There are no hard and fast rules. You should consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney who can share their experience in evaluating cases just like yours. 

What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in Pennsylvania?

knowing the average wrongful death settlement  on a national and local level may not provide the answer you need for your unique case, because it depends on a lot of factors, including the amount of available insurance to pay the claim. Therefore, pinpointing the average wrongful death settlement in The Keystone State may not answer the question for your individual case. 

Wrongful death lawyers are usually willing to share their experiences in settling cases similar to yours. They also may be able to give you local statistics in similar cases but it depends on many factors. You should meet with a Wrongful Death lawyer and ask these questions to help you understand all the factors involved in collecting wrongful death compensation.

Should Your Family File a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

If your loved one died in a car accident or as a result of a medical error, looking into filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible for their death may be a good idea. Scheduling a free consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in Pennsylvania can provide you with additional information on wrongful death damages you may be entitled to depending on the type of claim and the amount of available insurance.

A wrongful death lawyer can also advise you about whether you should consider taking your case to court before a jury. It may lead to your family collecting more than what you are offered for a settlement prior to trial. 

Call Us To Set Up a Free Consultation With a Wrongful Death Lawyer

Since it’s tough to come up with an answer to the question, “What is the average wrongful death settlement in the U.S.?” arranging to meet with a wrongful death lawyer might be the right move for your family. Contact Scartelli Olszewski P.C. at 570-346-2600 or contact us online for more information.