Rule 2204.Averments in plaintiff’s pleading.

Adopted February 14, 1939 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2204 requires a wrongful-death plaintiff's initial pleading to state the persons entitled to the damages and their relationship to the deceased.

Full Text of Rule 2204

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In addition to all other facts required to be pleaded, the initial pleading of the plaintiff in an action for wrongful death shall state the plaintiff’s relationship to the decedent, the plaintiff’s right to bring the action, the names and last known residence addresses of all persons entitled by law to recover damages, their relationship to the decedent and that the action was brought in their behalf.

End

Plain-English Summary

A wrongful-death complaint must identify who stands to benefit. This rule requires the plaintiff's initial pleading to state, in addition to the other required facts, the persons entitled by law to recover damages and their relationship to the deceased — so the court and the parties know who the recovery is for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a wrongful-death complaint state?

The plaintiff's relationship to the decedent, the plaintiff's right to bring the action, the names and last known residence addresses of everyone entitled by law to recover damages, their relationship to the decedent, and that the action was brought on their behalf. All other facts the rules require to be pleaded still apply.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 2204 adopted February 14, 1939, effective September 4, 1939; amended June 3, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 3010; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2274. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (220916).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: wrongful death pleading avermentsbeneficiaries wrongful deathwrongful death complaint contents