Losing a loved one is an awful and agonizing experience made even worse if the death was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness. You may be struggling to figure out how you and other survivors will support yourselves or make up for the financial losses and expenses brought on by your loved one’s passing. You may feel angry and seek to hold someone accountable for the death and to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
For family members, you may have heard of wrongful death lawsuits and want to know how they work. While no amount of money can replace your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit seeks monetary compensation for the losses associated with the victim’s death from the negligent person or entity that caused the death. An experienced New York wrongful death attorney can represent you and your family in a wrongful death claim.
At Jacoby and Jacoby, we understand what it takes to build a case and aggressively litigate your claim to get you and your family the compensation you deserve. Our honest, straight-forward approach and compassionate client care help make us one of the top-rated personal injury firms on Long Island. We fight for your best outcome so you can focus on your family and recovery.
When a loved one dies in an accident or in an incident that should never have happened in the first place, surviving family members often have feelings of anger, frustration and worry over what happened. The wrongful death attorneys at Jacoby and Jacoby, prioritize client care, compassion and communication. We are your trusted partner who’s got your back throughout the process.
Experienced negotiators and trial attorneys
Jacoby and Jacoby will build your case by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and experts to prove the other party’s negligence. By handling the details and negotiations with the at-fault party, insurance company, and others, our law firm relieves you of this tedious burden, allowing you to focus on what really matters. And, if an agreeable negotiation can’t be had, we won’t hesitate to take the case to trial — and win.
You deserve to recover compensation for your loss
If your loved one died in an accident caused by negligence, you have the right to be compensated for your losses. Along with your grief, you may be dealing with severe financial strain as the losses and expenses mount. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys will pursue the maximum award for your damages.
We offer free, confidential legal consultations to understand what happened and advise you of your options. If you choose to move forward, we work on a contingency basis which means that we only get paid if and when you receive a settlement. Many of our clients feel a sense of relief once they make that first phone call for legal consultation.
What is Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death claim can be filed when one person’s death occurs as the result of the negligence, reckless behavior, or violent behavior of another individual or entity. It is important to note that a wrongful death claim is a civil action, not a criminal prosecution by the state. It’s possible that both a civil wrongful death claim and a criminal charge could be brought against one person or entity. A wrongful death claim awards monetary damages to the victim’s family while guilty verdicts in a criminal case could result in the incarceration or probation of the defendant.
There are many scenarios in which negligent actions can lead to someone’s death from an accident or illness. Examples of situations that are common in wrongful death lawsuits include:
- Car Accidents
- Slip and Fall Incidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Toxic Exposure
- Truck Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Workplace Accidents
Each case is unique and the liable party depends on the scenario. For instance, in a car accident the at-fault driver could be held liable. Or, an employer could be negligent in their safety protocols which caused the death of an employee. These scenarios are just examples. If the death of a loved one or family member was caused by the negligence of another, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in New York?
Every state has different laws involving who can bring about a wrongful death claim and what compensation is available. In New York, the executor or administrator of the estate must file the claim. In the event that the deceased person did not have a will, the representative of the estate will be appointed by the probate court. The executor of the estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the following survivors:
- Spouse
- Children, including adult children
- Parents
- Grandchildren
- Siblings
- Nieces and nephews
- Other relatives or friends who can prove they were financially reliant on the deceased victim
Typically, there is a hierarchy of sorts in beneficiaries of the wrongful death claim. The spouse and children of the victim are first in line, followed by parents of unmarried, childless victims and then other dependent relatives. If successful, the wrongful death claim is not part of the victim’s estate and the heirs are awarded compensation directly. Thus, compensation from a wrongful death claim is not subject to creditor claims on the deceased person’s estate.
In many cases, a survivor action may also be part of the lawsuit, which compensates for the conscious pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages the decedent themselves suffered from the time of the incident until their passing. Unlike the wrongful death claim, if successful, these awards go to the victim’s estate and are subject to creditor claims.
Settlements and Compensation in New York Wrongful Death Lawsuits
There are several complex aspects to a wrongful death lawsuit which is it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced New York wrongful death law firm about your specific situation. Generally speaking, a wrongful death claim is intended to provide compensation to the surviving heirs for the loss of their loved one. In New York, surviving family members are not able to recover damages for their own emotional distress. The exception being if you witnessed the accident and suffered severe emotional distress, you may be able to file a separate claim for compensation.
A wrongful death lawsuit or settlement may seek these types of compensation: wrongful death claim, survivor claim and punitive damages.
Wrongful Death Compensation
A wrongful death lawsuit provides compensation for ‘economic’ damages like any medical bills associated with the accident or funeral costs as well as ‘non-economic’ damages for intangible damages like the loss of parental guidance in the event of a parent’s death. While no amount of money can replace the loss of your spouse or loved one, the unexpected death of a loved one can come with a heavy financial burden. Damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit in New York may include:
- Hospital and medical expenses related to accident
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income and loss of deceased person’s expected lifetime income
- Lost health and insurance benefits
- Loss of love and companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of parental guidance
If your loved one did not work outside the home and/or was the primary caregiver, a wrongful death claim will seek compensation for the loss of valuable household services such as cleaning, childcare, and other chores.
Survival Claims
In some cases, an aspect of the litigation will include what’s called a survivor action. Compensation in a survivor action is similar to a typical personal injury claim in which an individual can sue the at-fault party to recover monetary damages like medical bills, lost income as well as pain and suffering. However, in this case, the estate of the deceased is filing the claim on behalf of the victim for the time period between the accident and the time of death.
Take the example of a pedestrian walking along the road and hit by a car. In this example, the victim could suffer serious injuries and be in grave condition at a hospital for a period of time before passing away. A survival claim seeks compensation for the conscious pain and suffering endured by the victim and medical expenses and lost wages prior to death.
Because survival claims intend to compensate the victim, the deceased estate receives the compensation for these claims. The beneficiaries of a survival claim follow the instructions of the will, or probate court in the event the deceased did not have a will.
What Happens in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Similar to a personal injury claim, a wrongful death claim begins long before an actual lawsuit is filed. A wrongful death attorney will start by reviewing the evidence available which may be medical records, police reports, witness statements, electronic evidence and interviews with family. Your lawyer may also need time to build a case and establish or create more evidence to bolster your claim.
Once the key elements of the wrongful death case are established, a New York wrongful death lawyer will file a summons and complaint in court. From there, the defendant must answer the complaint or could be found liable for lack of response. Otherwise, the process of discovery begins as the case goes into negotiations which happen continuously as evidence is uncovered and the details of the case emerge. If a settlement still can’t be reached, the case would go to a civil trial before a judge or jury who will determine if the defendant is at-fault and what level of compensation should be awarded. Most wrongful death cases are resolved in settlement versus civil trial.
Deadlines for Filing a Claim
In New York, the deadline (statute of limitations) for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death. There are few exceptions to this deadline and if you were to file a claim, it may be immediately dismissed. It’s important to get in touch with a New York wrongful death law firm as soon as possible. Witness recollections fade or physical evidence may disappear and the process for seeking compensation starts well before the lawsuit is actually filed. You want to avoid losing your right to file a claim permanently.
New York Wrongful Death Lawsuits FAQ
Who gets the money in a wrongful death lawsuit?
In New York, the administrator or executor of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim and survival action on behalf of the victim’s spouse, children, parents, and/or other relatives or friends who can prove dependence on the victim. It largely depends on the circumstances of the claim how the settlement is divided between the beneficiaries. It’s important to note that a settlement from a wrongful death claim does not have to follow the directives of the deceased’s will; however, settlement amounts related to a survivor claim do go to the deceased’s estate and follow the will’s distribution.
Is wrongful death a criminal or civil case?
Wrongful death is a civil action in which the family or estate of a deceased individual sues whom they believe is the at-fault party for monetary compensation related to the loss of their loved one. Wrongful death is not a crime and is different from a criminal prosecution for murder or manslaughter. A defendant can be sued for wrongful death AND face criminal prosecution.
How much does a wrongful death attorney cost?
Wrongful death law firms typically operate on a contingency basis, which means that they only charge a fee if the case or claim is won and a settlement is awarded. The attorney fees are then taken out of the final settlement amount. In many cases, wrongful death attorneys can secure settlement amounts far greater than those the insurance company will or are offering you without legal representation.
How long do wrongful death cases take to settle?
In cases where liability is clear cut, wrongful death claims may take as little as a few months to settle. In other scenarios where negligence is harder to prove or there is a potential for a high claim value, a wrongful death case could take a year or more to resolve. Don’t let the timeframe deter you from seeking justice and fair compensation for your loss.
We’ve helped people just like you move forward after devastating events caused by another’s negligence. Our wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency basis which means that you pay nothing upfront and we only get paid if you win. Many of our clients feel a sense of relief once they make that first phone call. Contact us today for a free consultation.
