Wrongful Death Attorneys in Reading, PA
When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence, the family left behind deserves a legal team that handles nothing else. Liever, Hyman & Potter has represented wrongful injury victims and their families since 1959, making us the longest-established motor vehicle injury law firm in the area. Our four attorneys have devoted virtually their entire careers to wrongful injury and death claims alone. No real estate closings, no business contracts, no divided attention. That’s 115-plus combined years of undivided focus on cases like yours.
A free consultation costs you nothing, and we advance all case expenses on your behalf. You don’t owe any fees or expenses unless and until we recover money for you.
If you’ve lost a loved one to negligence, call Liever, Hyman & Potter today at (610) 885-1991 to speak with a wrongful death attorney in a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why Families Choose Liever, Hyman & Potter
The legal community refers to us as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers”: a name earned because a significant portion of our clients come through referrals from other law firms. When attorneys elsewhere can’t handle a wrongful death case themselves, they send their clients to us. That trust within the legal community reflects a record that speaks for itself.
Lead attorney John R. Badal was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991. His entire career has been devoted to representing wrongful injury victims. He holds national recognition as a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Those memberships are tied to documented results at those dollar levels. He has also served as Chairman of the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association.
Every case we take is carefully reviewed and assigned to a civil trial attorney qualified to handle it. Our attorneys are active in the Berks County community beyond the courtroom as well.
Documented Results for Berks & Schuylkill County Families
Since 1959, we’ve won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families. That’s more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area. In a recent three-year period alone, we recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results.
Our published wrongful death and serious injury settlements include:
- $3.265 million settlement in a drunk driving wrongful death case
- $3.5 million settlement in a trucking crash
- $12.75 million settlement for failure to diagnose brain disease
- $6.5 million settlement for a teenage client who suffered a brain bleed resulting in hemiplegia
These are documented examples, not guarantees of what any future case will produce. Every wrongful death claim turns on its own facts.
What Wrongful Death Claims Can Recover
Under the Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Act, recoverable damages can include funeral and burial costs, medical expenses related to the fatal injury, lost income and future earning capacity, loss of companionship, and loss of household services and guidance. Pennsylvania doesn’t cap wrongful death damages in most cases.
Pennsylvania law also permits a survival action, a separate claim filed on behalf of the estate that covers damages the deceased could have pursued had they survived, including their own pain and suffering. Both claims typically arise from the same incident and are filed together. When the responsible party’s conduct was especially egregious, such as in a drunk driving case, punitive damages may also be available.
Who Can File & How Long You Have
In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim is generally filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate on behalf of eligible beneficiaries: the surviving spouse, children, and parents. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. If the personal representative doesn’t file within six months, eligible family members may initiate the action directly, but the two-year deadline still applies.
When a government entity may share responsibility, notice-of-claim requirements apply on a much shorter timeline, generally within six months of the incident. Beyond deadlines, surveillance footage, accident records, and witness accounts can disappear quickly. The earlier you engage legal counsel, the better positioned your case can be.
How We Handle Your Case
We review every case carefully before advising on options. If representation is warranted, we explain clearly what steps we’ll take and what to expect. We advance all case expenses, not just attorney fees, on your behalf, and nothing is owed unless and until we recover money for you. If a settlement offer doesn’t reflect what your family deserves, we’ll recommend rejecting it. When trial is the path to pursuing the best possible result, we go to trial. We serve clients throughout Reading, Berks County, Schuylkill County, and Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, and our attorneys travel to client homes and hospitals when clients can’t come to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I’m Not Sure Whether Negligence Caused the Death?
That’s exactly what a free consultation is for. We’ll review the facts of your situation and advise you honestly on whether a claim may exist. No commitment is required to have that conversation.
Talk to an Attorney at No Cost
You don’t need to figure out whether you have a case on your own. Liever, Hyman & Potter offers a free consultation to families that have lost a loved one to negligence, and we advance all costs of pursuing your claim until we recover on your behalf.
Call Liever, Hyman & Potter at (610) 885-1991 to schedule your free consultation with a wrongful death attorney in Reading, PA today.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.