Earlier this week a Pennsylvania woman who had been involved in an apartment fire died in the hospital. The woman’s husband had previously died as a result of injuries sustained in the early morning fire that took place at their apartment in Erie this past Sunday.

According to the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office, the 51-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries this past Sunday evening less than 12 hours after the fire was reported. At the time, she was being treated at UPMC Mercy hospital for injuries sustained in the fatal accident. The nature of her injuries is unknown.

Both the woman as well as her husband were initially taken to UPMC Hamot hospital located in Erie. It was there that her husband died and from there that she was airlifted to the Pittsburgh hospital.

The Erie Chief Fire Inspector indicated that the fire appears to have been an accident. Thus far however, the cause has yet to be determined.

There is of course nothing that can be done to bring those who have died back to life. Understandably this leaves many of the loved ones left behind feeling powerless. Depending on what the fire inspectors find as the cause of the fatal accident, it is possible that the loved ones of the couple could file a wrongful death lawsuit.

When successful, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide financial compensation that would allow those left behind to move forward with their lives without having to shoulder a financial burden. It also often provides a sense of closure for those left behind.

Source: The Republic, “Woman also dies in Erie fire that killed husband; investigation ongoing but foul play unlikely,” The Associated Press, Jan. 9, 2012