New York Wrongful Death Lawyers

Hiring a Wrongful Death Lawyer in New York

The death of a loved one is a devastating event. When a loved one dies in a wrongful death, the grief may also be deeply horrific. The New York lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP have decades of experiencing working with families who have experienced the tragedy of a loved one’s wrongful death. The law in a wrongful death case in New York is complex and our attorneys have the experience, expertise, and compassion to create a solid case against all negligent parties while ensuring your privacy, respect, and grief.

When someone has died due to the wrongful actions of another person or entity, the individual or entity who caused that death may be found responsible in a wrongful death action. Wrongful death actions may be brought over construction accidents, medical malpractice, vehicular accidents, airplane accidents, police misconduct, or product liability that involves defective, dangerous products, drugs, and medical devices.

What Governs Wrongful Death Actions in New York?

The New York Estates, Powers and Trust Law (EPTL) governs New York wrongful death actions. EPTL Section 5-4.1, which is entitled “Action by personal representative for wrongful act, neglect or default causing death of decedent,” gives the legal representative of the estate the right to bring an action for wrongful death. The right to recover damages for wrongful death is also governed by the EPTL under Section 5-4.3, which is entitled “Amount of recovery.”

The statute is a so-called pecuniary (relating to or consisting of money) loss statute. This means that the legal representative of the decedent is required to prove pecuniary loss. This includes loss of support for the decedent’s next of kin due to the loss of the decedent’s earnings. In the case of the death of a parent who leaves a surviving spouse and dependent children, the claim may also be made for the economic loss over which they will suffer.

Economic loss is not limited to loss of earnings and may include loss of services to the decedent’s spouse and loss of parental care and guidance to the decedent’s children. In the case of the death of a child, loss of services to the parents may be claimed under very limited and specific circumstances.

What Constitutes Wrongful Death in New York?

Every state has its own laws governing wrongful death lawsuits. In New York, a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years from the date of the death of the deceased person. This statute of limitation bars wrongful death claims from courts in New York if more than two years have passed between the date of the death and the date of the wrongful death filing.

New York does not “toll,” or stop, the statute of limitations from running should the personal representative of the deceased person be a child or be someone who is legally incapable of filing the claim. When this occurs, the guardian of the child or of the incapable person should file the wrongful death claim instead.

In New York, a wrongful death mandates proof of five elements to establish a wrongful death claim:

• A death
• The death must be caused by the wrongful conduct of another individual or entity (the defendant)
• The death gave rise to the cause of action that the deceased party might have been able to pursue if the death had not occurred
• The death left one or more persons as survivors who suffered a loss due to the death
• The death resulted in damage the estate may recover

In New York, following a case in the New York Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in the state, wrongful death claims are not recognized should a fetus die before birth, even if the death was caused due to another party’s wrongful act.   Endresz v. Friedberg, 24 NY2d 478 [1969].

In New York, the responsibility for filing a wrongful death is placed on the so-called “personal representative” of the deceased individual’s estate. In New York, a family member is not able to bring a wrongful death claim unless that family member is also the personal representative of the deceased individual’s estate.

A wrongful death claim may be sought for damages over losses that were suffered by the deceased individual’s heirs, beneficiaries, or devisees (persons to whom real estate is given), as well as damages for losses suffered by the deceased person’s estates. Should damages be awarded, the court treats the personal representative as if he or she holds the damages award in a trust for the surviving family member, or members, to whom those proceedings are due.

Damages in New York Wrongful Death Claims

When damages are awarded in New York wrongful death cases, specific facts must be demonstrated in court.

Losses in New York may include expenses for funeral and burial, expenses for reasonable medical, nursing, and other health care expenses that are associated with the deceased person’s final injury or illness, lost wages and benefits between the deceased’s individuals final illness or injury and his or her death, lost inheritance that is suffered by the deceased’s surviving children, conscious pain and suffering that was suffered by the deceased individual’s due to the final injury or illness, the value of parental nurturing, care, and guidance to surviving children and that the deceased provided to his or her family members, and nine percent interest on the damages awarded that are counted from the date of the allegedly wrongful death.

New York does not permit surviving family members to recover their damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of companionship. This applies even the deceased person is a child. Parents are able to attempt to recover damages for the lost value of services such as household chores performed by the child. However, the amount will be reduced by the reasonable cost of caring for that child until he or she would reach the age of adulthood.

Contact Parker Waichman to Determine if You Have a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in New York

The attorneys Parker Waichman have a long history of successfully fighting New York wrongful death cases and recovering compensation for their clients for lost wages, medical expenses, and diminished quality of life. The firm offers legal consultations to individuals with questions about filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death in New York

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in New York?

For wrongful death cases in New York, it is up to the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to file a claim. It is not the responsibility of the family members to file a wrongful death claim unless one of those family members happens to also be the personal representative.

Who Pays For a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

When it comes to financing a wrongful death lawsuit, the attorney that you work with for the case will likely not be paid upfront or by an hourly rate. More often than not in wrongful death lawsuits, the attorney works on a contingency basis meaning that should you win your case, the attorney will receive a percentage of the money awarded.

Is There a Cap on Damages Awarded in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In some states yes, but in New York there is no cap to the amount that juries can award for pain and suffering damages in a wrongful death case. By having no cap, New York ensures that no family is barred from receiving the compensation they’re owed after a loved one’s passing.

Is There a Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in New York?

In New York, there is a 2-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. This means that the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file for wrongful death within 2 years of the victim dying in order for the case to be accepted by the courts.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death is any instance in which someone dies due to the wrongful actions of another person or entity. When this happens in New York, there are five things that must be proven for it to be considered a wrongful death. They are a death, the death must be caused by the wrongful conduct of another individual or entity (the defendant), the death gave rise to the cause of action that the deceased party might have been able to pursue if the death had not occurred, the death left one or more persons as survivors who suffered a loss due to the death, and the death resulted in damage the estate may recover.

What Kind of Lawyer Handles Wrongful Death?

An attorney who specializes in handling wrongful death lawsuits is simply referred to as a wrongful death lawyer. In New York, victims can depend on the wrongful death lawyers at Parker Waichman have years of experience handling these tragic losses for our clients.

How Do I Choose a New York Wrongful Death Lawyer?

There are a number of ways to decide who the right wrongful death lawyer in New York is for your case. You can ask friends who have gone through a similar situation for their input, but interviewing the lawyer themselves and reviewing their past work may be the best way of determining if that attorney is who you want to handle your case.

How Long Does It Usually Take to Settle a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

On average, you can expect a wrongful death case to take between one and four years to settle. However, this is not always the situation. Each case has its own variables and factors that have to be considered. Some wrongful death cases could be settled in mere months and others could stretch on for years and years to come.

How Do I Get My Police Report in Manhattan?

In the hours following an accident or arrest, a police report is generated by the investigating Manhattan police officer. Once the report has been generated a "public portion" of the report is available immediately. The public portion of the police report withholds information until the case is completely closed. Once the case has wrapped up, you or your attorney can talk to your local Manhattan police precinct to obtain a copy of the full police report. How you are able to get your report varies depending on the preference of the precinct. Some prefer to do it electronically, others via mail, and others in person. Regardless, there may be a waiting period and your precinct may charge a fee to request a copy of the police report. When it comes to help in getting a police report under New York personal injury law, Manhattan, NY, residents should know that Parker Waichman is here to help you make the most of your case. Our law firm is recognized nationally for our care of clients and skill in gathering evidence to get you the compensation you deserve.

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