An American woman who says she accidentally shot and killed her husband in central Newfoundland is now suing two life insurance companies.

Mark Harshbarger died near Buchans Junction in September 2006.

His wife, Mary Beth Harshbarger, is still under investigation by the RCMP.

The Harshbargers were hunting for black bears when he died. Mary Beth Harshbarger told police she mistook her husband for a bear.

Mark Harshbarger's family has always insisted that they believe the shooting may have been intentional.

Two insurance companies have policies on Mark Harshbarger for $550,000 in death benefits, and Mary Beth Harshbarger is the beneficiary.

However, a law in Pennsylvania says a person cannot benefit from an intentional wrongdoing. Thus, the benefits have not been paid.

Harshbarger recently filed a lawsuit against the insurance companies.

Mark Harshbarger's father, Leonard, is not happy. "I'm very upset by it because I hope that she never gets it," he said.

"In my mind, I'll never think anything different than it was murder. It's hard to prove but that's the only way that I personally can see it."

Robert Murphy, Mary Beth Harshbarger's lawyer, did not want to do a recorded interview with CBC News. However, he said there is no proof that what happened in Buchans Junction was not an accident.

As well, he said the insurance companies have to pay either way.

He said if a judge should rule that his client will not get the money, it will go into a trust fund for their two young children.

The judge will meet with both sides next month.