Pittsburgh, PA asked in Wrongful Death for Pennsylvania

Q: Wrongful death- 1 of the plantiffs dies before settlement. Should the decease wife and children be added to the case?

My father told me he was thinking about filing a wrongful death suit against the hospital regarding my grandmother. He and my aunt started the process, but he then passed away

I found out recently there was a settlement.

My aunt's name is on the settlement agreement.

$ is to be distributed to her and her sisters.

I was told in this situation his wife and his children should of been contacted and added to the case in place of my dad.

We were never contacted.

A settlement was reached and agreed on by my aunt alone.

Who is accountable, for contacting the next of Kin in a case like this

Especially since my dad was involved in a wrongful death case but had next of kin (wife and kids)

To date we have not been told that we are getting $ from settlement

or even contacted by any legal authorities.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Wyomissing, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: The attorney for the estate was responsible for contacting the relatives/family of your husband. You need to get the court file for the estate, which usually would be with the register of wills for the county where it was. It also may make a difference when things happened. Feel free to call and I will be happy to answer your questions.

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