These rules shall become effective on the fourth day of September, 1939, and shall apply to actions pending at that time.
Rule 2224.Effective date; pending actions.
Adopted February 14, 1939 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2224 sets the effective date of the wrongful-death chapter and provides that it applies to actions pending at that time.
Full Text of Rule 2224
Plain-English Summary
This transitional rule fixes when the wrongful-death chapter took effect — September 4, 1939 — and provides that it applies to actions already pending then, bringing existing cases under the new rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the wrongful-death rules take effect?
September 4, 1939, applying to actions pending at that time.
Official Note
Official Note: Adopted February 14, 1939, effective September 4, 1939.
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. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: wrongful death rules effective datepending actions wrongful deathwrongful death transition