New York City Wrongful death Attorney

Many of the deaths were preventable and could have been avoided if safety rules had been followed and a reasonable degree of care had been exercised. In these tragic cases when negligence or wrongdoing takes a life, the surviving family members of the person who was killed could be entitled to take legal action to obtain compensation. These types of cases are called wrongful death claims. David Resnick & Associates is here to help you during this trying time. Our New York City personal injury attorneys will fight in your loved ones’ memory.

About Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that is brought by the close relatives of someone who was killed as a result of negligence or wrongdoing. When a victim suffers non-fatal injuries, he or she is normally able to bring a personal injury claim to recover compensation. When the victim is killed, however, the person who caused the death should not be able to escape legal responsibility just because the victim is no longer alive to take action.

Wrongful death claims ensure that the person or entity that caused the death pays for what occurred and that the surviving family members are not left to bear the financial burden of the death.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 1,192 people were killed in auto accidents in New York in a single recent year. During the same year, the New York City Fire Department reported that 62 people died in fires. Statewide, thousands more lost their lives as a result of incidents such as medical malpractice, assaults due to negligent security, defective products and drugs, and workplace accidents.

Surviving Family Members Who Could Be Eligible To Bring Claims Include:

Proving A Wrongful Death Claim In New York

The family member has the burden of proving his or her eligibility to bring claim, as well as proving the required elements of the case.

For example, to win a claim, the family members will need to prove:

A wrongful death lawyer can assist you in gathering the evidence you need to build your case. This may include police records, medical records and expert testimony.

Who Can Be Sued

Wrongful death claims can be brought against any person or entity that did something wrong that led to the death.

For Example, A Family Member Could Sue:

A wrongful death claim could also be made against someone who intentionally caused a death. For example, a murderer could be sued by the family members of the victim.

Types Of Compensation Available

If a close relative has been killed as a result of another person’s wrongdoing, you could obtain monetary compensation through negotiating an out-of-court settlement or through a wrongful death case that goes to court and is decided by a judge or jury. A wrongful death lawyer can negotiate the settlement on your behalf or help you prove your case in court in order to maximize damages.

The compensation you receive could cover many different types of losses, such as:

Damages That Can Be Recovered In A Claim

If you have recently lost a close family member, you are probably going through a period of extreme grief. If the death was the result of a sudden accident, the death may be even harder to accept.

Although we frequently refer to a cause of a death as “accidental,” the reality is that many “accidents” are actually the result of negligence on the part of an individual, company or government agency. If your family member’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness or recklessness, you may be entitled to bring a lawsuit to recover compensation.

The attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., can help you determine if you qualify to file a New York wrongful death lawsuit.

Can I File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Although a wrongful death claim is similar to a personal injury lawsuit, there is one significant difference – the victim is no longer alive to bring the case personally. The law, however, allows certain close family members to recover monetary compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.

In the State of New York, a lawsuit must be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. The personal representative sues on behalf of the decedent’s estate and on behalf of the heirs of the estate. The surrogate court handling the case must appoint the personal representative. If the decedent executed a last will and testament prior to death, the person named as the executor of the will is usually appointed as the personal representative in a lawsuit. If the executor cannot serve, or if no will was left, then the court will appoint a personal representative.

The Estate Powers and Trust Law (EPTL), Article 5, Part 4, EPTL 213-217 is the governing law in New York State that determines who may file as a claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit, as well as determining how any award is distributed among claimants.

As a general rule, only a spouse, child or parent can file as a claimant in a lawsuit. However, if no spouse, child or parent survived the death of the decedent, then a brother, sister, niece or nephew may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit in New York.

New York law also determines how an award will be split among claimants when more than one survivor qualifies for compensation.

The Law Requires An Award To Be Divided As Follows:

How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out

In proportion to their financial loss, damages are distributed to those eligible to recover under intestate law. In the state of New York, immediate family members are the first ones to receive compensation for damages caused by a wrongful death. Damages in these lawsuits are defined as pecuniary loss by New York’s Code. Pecuniary losses can be measured in money by producing a receipt to show that you have paid an expense or will incur an expense or financial loss in the future. Based on N.Y. Estate Powers & Trusts Law § 5-4.4, when there is a surviving spouse and parents, but no children or grandchildren, the parents will also recover in proportion to their pecuniary loss. The surviving spouse and children of the deceased person will get most of the compensation than adult children who were financially independent.

Damages In Wrongful Death Claims

If you have lost a close relative in an accident that was someone else’s fault, your initial reaction may be that no amount of money can bring back your loved one and, therefore, you do not want to discuss the possibility of compensation for your loved one’s death.

While This Is An Understandable Reaction, It Is Critical To Remember Two Things:

New York Law Allows The Following Types Of Compensation To Be Awarded In A Successful Wrongful Death Lawsuit:

“Pecuniary losses” under New York law include loss of support, voluntary assistance and possible inheritance. What this typically means is that the claimant may be entitled to compensation that represents lost future earnings and benefits that the decedent could have provided if he or she had lived. If the claimant is a minor child, compensation may also include the value of parental support that the decedent would have provided but for his or her wrongful death.

Unlike some other states, New York law does not allow recovery for the emotional pain of the surviving family members or for other non-economic damages, such as loss of companionship or loss of consortium.

Some potential claimants have the mistaken belief that because the deceased did not work outside the home, compensation for the death is not available through a wrongful death lawsuit. This is usually not the case. A stay-at-home spouse or parent often provides valuable support and services to the family that are potentially compensable in a lawsuit.

We understand that nothing can bring back your loved one. However, if you are the surviving family member of someone who was killed as the result of a New York accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your loss.

Let our wrongful death lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. help you by protecting your legal right to compensation. The time period for filing a claim is shorter than for most personal injury claims. Most New York wrongful death actions must be filed within two years of the death. Talk to a qualified New York lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and interests.

Types Of Wrongful Death Claims In New York

The following are some of the more common scenarios that give rise to a wrongful death lawsuit:

Traffic Accidents

Whether the accident is a truck accident, motorcycle accident or car accident, collisions in New York City all too often result in death. A distracted driver, a drunk driver or a drowsy driver, for example, could be at fault for causing a deadly crash. Sometimes, a government agency’s negligent road design or failure to properly maintain or repair a roadway is a factor in a fatal motor vehicle accident. Automotive defects also play a role in some fatal accidents.

Pedestrian And Bicycle Accidents 

The majority of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths could have been prevented. Frequently, the negligence of a motorist is to blame for these fatal crashes.

Premises Liability 

Property owners and tenants have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their customers and guests. If they fail in that duty, they could be held responsible for any injuries that result – including death. Failing to properly secure the premises, failing to clean up or remove hazards and negligent maintenance are common scenarios that could form the basis of a wrongful death lawsuit.

Public Transportation Accidents 

Millions of people travel through New York City each day using public transportation. Whether it’s a subway, ferry, train or bus, the authorities responsible for public transportation systems owe a duty of care to every passenger. When a death occurs because that duty of care is breached, the authority could be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Construction Accidents 

Construction sites are particularly dangerous for both the workers and the public. New York City has a particularly high rate of construction accident deaths as a result of construction work that takes place within the city. Although family members could be entitled to death benefits through the workers’ compensation system for the death of a worker, they may also be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit in certain circumstances.

Talk To An Experienced New York Wrongful Death Lawyer Now

If a close relative has been killed in an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you are probably overwhelmed by all of the emotional and financial issues that you are facing. Let a New York City wrongful death attorney at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., help you by protecting your legal right to compensation.

The deadline for wrongful death claims is shorter than for most personal injury claims. In most situations, a New York wrongful death action must be filed within two years of the date of the death. To protect your legal rights and interests, you should talk to an experienced New York City wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.

Contact David Resnick & Associates, P.C., today for a free initial evaluation of your claim. Call us now or fill out our online contact form.