This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Wrongful Death Damages in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s wrongful death damages statute, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301, allows the decedent’s estate and specified beneficiaries to recover compensation for losses caused by the death. The law sets out a single statutory multiplier of 0% applied to the decedent’s projected future earnings, meaning no automatic percentage increase or reduction is built into the base calculation. Instead, the statute directs the fact-finder to consider the decedent’s earning capacity and the resulting financial harm to survivors, with the exact formula and any adjustments determined by the specific evidence presented. The official source at the link below contains the full statutory language. To estimate your own potential damages, use the DocketMath calculator, which applies this rule to your case’s unique numbers.

Governing authority

In Pennsylvania, the wrongful death damages rule is set by 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301. The verified packet cites 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301 (https://www.palrb.us/pamphletlaws/19001999/1976/0/act/0142.pdf).

Pennsylvania wrongful death damages: the verified value is 0% under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301. The verified packet cites 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301 (https://www.palrb.us/pamphletlaws/19001999/1976/0/act/0142.pdf).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the wrongful death damages calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.