Pittsburgh, PA (May 3, 2024) – A large steel drum rolled away from the University of Pittsburgh’s new sports complex construction site in Oakland and killed a woman on Friday morning.
Just before 11:00 a.m. on Friday, emergency personnel were sent to the site after fielding reports of a woman lying in the roadway with a major head injury. She was declared deceased when emergency personnel arrived. According to Pittsburgh Public Safety Public Information Officer Emily Bourne, a large, metal steel drum escaped from the construction site, rolled down the hill, and broke through a section of fencing before striking the woman, who was standing on the sidewalk. Bourne added that the cylinder weighed at least a ton.
Pittsburgh Public Safety reports that the victim worked as a staff member at one of Oakland’s hospitals, but no further details in connection to the incident were reported. The city and OSHA will lead the ongoing inquiry.
We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased woman’s loved ones.
Wrongful Death Accidents in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has its own laws pertaining to wrongful death actions, just like every other state. Under these statutes, the surviving family members of a deceased individual may bring a lawsuit if the death was caused by the negligent or willful actions of another party.
If a wrongful death action is successful, the court will compel the defendant to reimburse the plaintiff’s estate or survivors for “damages,” which are the plaintiff’s alleged losses. In Pennsylvania, a variety of losses may be covered by damages awards, such as:
- Burial and funeral costs
- Hospital expenses and related healthcare costs
- Estate administration costs, including lost income and benefits
- The loss of the deceased’s companionship
According to Pennsylvania law, damages are meant to compensate for the losses incurred by the surviving spouse, kids, and/or parents due to the death in question. The personal representative may still pursue damages to cover funeral and burial costs, hospital costs, and estate administration costs, even in the absence of a living spouse, child, or parent.
That said, Pennsylvania has a “statute of limitations” provision, like most other states, which establishes a deadline for wrongful death litigation. A wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania has to be filed within two years after the deceased person’s passing. The court will probably decline to consider the lawsuit at all if it is not submitted within those two years.
For these reasons and more, it’s important to contact a skilled attorney for assistance as soon as possible after a wrongful death has occurred. We know what it takes to fight for you and your family at the Slocum Firm. In fact, we will advocate for your best interests and secure your just compensation through every step of the claims process. Contact our Pittsburgh wrongful death attorneys at (570) 209-7376 to discuss setting up a free consultation and speak more about how our team will defend your legal rights after an accident.
