Losing a loved one unexpectedly is devastating under any circumstance. But when a wrongful death involves a victim with a pre-existing medical condition, families often face an additional layer of confusion. Does the condition limit your right to pursue compensation? How do Pennsylvania courts separate what was caused by the defendant’s negligence versus what was pre-existing? Understanding how pre-existing conditions influence wrongful death lawsuits in Pennsylvania is critical to building a strong claim and ensuring justice for your loved one.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, a wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act causes another person’s death. These claims are governed by 42 Pa. C.S. §8301, which allows surviving family members—typically a spouse, children, or parents—to seek damages for the financial and emotional losses resulting from their loved one’s death.
These damages can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and comfort
The law recognizes that wrongful death claims are not only about financial loss—they are about accountability. When negligence shortens a person’s life, surviving families have the right to hold the responsible party liable, even if the victim had prior health challenges.
How Pre-existing Conditions Complicate Wrongful Death Cases
A pre-existing condition—such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer—does not automatically prevent a wrongful death claim. The key legal issue is causation: whether the defendant’s actions accelerated, aggravated, or directly caused the death. Pennsylvania follows the “eggshell plaintiff” rule, meaning a defendant must take the victim as they find them. If a negligent act worsens a pre-existing condition or hastens a death, the defendant can still be held fully liable for the consequences.
For example, if a driver runs a red light and strikes a person with a heart condition, triggering a fatal cardiac episode, that driver can be held accountable. The condition may have made the victim more vulnerable, but the negligent act remains the legal cause of death.
The Eggshell Plaintiff Rule in Pennsylvania
The eggshell plaintiff doctrine is one of the most important principles in personal injury and wrongful death law. In simple terms, it prevents defendants from escaping responsibility because a victim had an existing medical issue. Pennsylvania courts consistently uphold that even if a victim’s condition made them more susceptible to harm, the negligent party remains liable for the full extent of the damages that follow.
This means that while a pre-existing condition may influence medical evidence, it does not absolve the wrongdoer of responsibility. Instead, the focus shifts to proving that the negligence aggravated the condition or contributed to an earlier death than would have otherwise occurred.
How Courts Evaluate Medical Evidence
Courts rely heavily on expert testimony and medical records to determine causation. A wrongful death attorney will work with medical experts to explain how the death was connected to the negligent act rather than the pre-existing condition alone. Key questions often include:
- Would the victim have died at the same time if not for the defendant’s conduct?
- Did the negligent action accelerate or worsen an existing illness?
- Were there medical interventions that could have extended the victim’s life absent the defendant’s actions?
Medical experts help juries and judges understand the difference between correlation and causation. This distinction is vital, as insurance companies often attempt to use pre-existing conditions to limit or deny compensation.
Common Examples of Pre-existing Conditions in Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Cases
Pre-existing conditions can range widely, but some frequently arise in Pennsylvania wrongful death litigation:
- Heart disease or hypertension: A traumatic incident like a crash or assault may trigger a fatal cardiac event.
- Diabetes: Stress, injuries, or medical neglect can worsen complications.
- Respiratory illnesses: Exposure to toxic substances or physical trauma can aggravate chronic breathing issues.
- Cancer: Medical negligence may accelerate progression through delayed diagnosis or improper treatment.
In each of these cases, the law examines whether negligence made the condition worse or accelerated the outcome. If it did, the surviving family still has a valid wrongful death claim.
How Pre-existing Conditions Affect Wrongful Death Lawsuits in PA
Proving that a negligent act—not the pre-existing condition—caused or contributed to death requires a methodical legal strategy. A skilled Pennsylvania wrongful death lawyer will typically:
- Obtain all relevant medical records. These documents establish the victim’s baseline health prior to the incident.
- Consult medical experts. Doctors and specialists can explain how the event triggered or worsened the condition.
- Reconstruct the incident. Evidence such as crash reports, workplace records, or witness statements can show direct causation.
- Refute insurance defenses. Insurers often claim that death was inevitable due to pre-existing illness. Strong evidence can counter this narrative.
- Quantify the loss. Economic experts calculate lifetime earnings, household contributions, and other measurable damages.
This strategic approach ensures that the family’s case rests on clear, factual evidence and compelling legal reasoning.
Insurance Company Tactics and How to Counter Them
Insurance companies frequently exploit pre-existing conditions to reduce payouts. They may argue that the victim’s death was unrelated to the accident or that medical issues, not negligence, were to blame. These arguments are designed to cast doubt on causation and minimize financial liability.
However, Pennsylvania law protects families from such manipulation. An experienced wrongful death attorney will highlight that the relevant question is not whether the victim was healthy, but whether the defendant’s actions accelerated the death. Courts consistently reject defense strategies that attempt to shift focus away from negligence and onto unrelated health factors.
How Comparative Negligence Intersects with Pre-existing Conditions
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. §7102, meaning a plaintiff can still recover damages if the decedent was less than 51% at fault for the incident. Pre-existing conditions do not count as “fault,” but insurers sometimes attempt to blur this line. For example, they may suggest that the victim “should have avoided” certain activities due to their condition. The law does not support this argument. A person’s vulnerability cannot be used against them in determining fault or damages.
How Pre-existing Conditions Affect Wrongful Death Lawsuits in PA
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes remain among the top causes of death in Pennsylvania, responsible for over 30% of annual fatalities. When combined with accidents and medical errors both major sources of wrongful death claims the overlap between pre-existing conditions and wrongful deaths is significant. In fact, insurance defense filings show that nearly 40% of contested wrongful death cases involve claims of underlying health issues.
These numbers illustrate how common it is for wrongful death claims to involve complex medical backgrounds—and why specialized legal support is essential.
A Pre-existing Heart Condition and Fatal Crash
Consider a 62-year-old man with controlled hypertension who is struck by a speeding truck in Harrisburg. Though he survives initially, the stress and trauma lead to heart failure days later. The insurance company argues that his heart disease, not the crash, caused his death. But medical experts testify that the collision directly triggered the cardiac event, significantly shortening his life expectancy. The court finds the trucking company liable, awarding the family full wrongful death damages.
This scenario shows how Pennsylvania law protects victims whose existing conditions make them more vulnerable. Negligence that accelerates or triggers a fatal episode remains actionable under the state’s wrongful death statute.
Building a Strong Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claim
Families facing these challenges should focus on gathering documentation early and working with a law firm experienced in medically complex cases. Essential steps include:
- Obtaining certified copies of medical records and death certificates
- Preserving accident or incident evidence
- Keeping records of medical bills and funeral expenses
- Avoiding early settlements before consulting legal counsel
The right legal team can connect the medical facts to the legal framework, ensuring that pre-existing conditions are presented truthfully—but without allowing defendants to use them as excuses.
Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away
If your loved one’s pre-existing condition is being used to deny accountability for their wrongful death, you deserve strong legal advocacy. Our Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys understand the complexities these cases bring—especially when insurers attempt to minimize responsibility. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we fight for families across Pennsylvania to recover the justice and compensation they are owed. Whether your case involves a traffic accident, workplace incident, or medical negligence, we will guide you through every step with compassion and determination. Contact us today to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania wrongful death lawyer who can protect your family’s rights.