Pennsylvania provides only two years to sue negligent parties, with a very limited exception called the “Discovery Rule”
A statute of limitations is a legislative provision establishing a time frame in which a legal right may be exercised.
In Pennsylvania, with limited exceptions, you have only two years to properly sue all parties who may have contributed to the death of your loved one. This lawsuit must be started by a Complaint or Writ of Summons, which properly identifies, and is properly served upon, all parties you intend to hold responsible.
Once the statute of limitations has expired, then it is not possible to hold parties responsible who were not properly sued within this time period.
An Exception: The Discovery Rule
In some cases, if there is a reasonable delay in discovering that your family member’s passing was related to someone else’s negligence, you may have additional time to sue. This is known as the“Discovery Rule.”
You should consult with the attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers to learn whether you still have time to pursue a legal claim on behalf of your loved one’s estate.
For nearly 25 years, Jon Ostroff has been representing the estates of over 100 children and adults who have died across Pennsylvania as a result of someone else’s negligence. Jon will spend the time and money it takes to figure out what happened to your loved one. If unable to recover money for your loved one’s estate, Jon will pay these costs.
Jon Ostroff’s ability to find the evidence that wins cases has earned him his distinguished reputation across Pennsylvania as a wrongful death attorney. The sooner Jon can investigate what happened, the better. Medical records often get lost or changed over time.
