Wrongful Death Lawyers in New York

Seek Justice for Your Lost Family Member One

Losing a loved one is difficult to bear. Knowing your loss could have been prevented makes it far worse. At The Sultzer Law Group P.C., we offer legal counsel to families across New York who have lost parents, spouses, children, and other loved ones through the senseless acts of others. When individuals and corporations are careless or negligent, we believe they should be held responsible. This can help a family experience peace of mind in seeing justice served, and it can provide valuable financial support to build a more stable future.

Our wrongful death attorneys take on cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Construction site accidents
• Defective products

To find out how we can help your family seek justice, call (800) 552-0265.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case?

In New York, only a “personal representative” of a deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death action. In many cases, this may already be a family member of the decedent, but the family member must also be the personal representative to come forward with a lawsuit.

Although a wrongful death case must be brought by a personal representative of the deceased’s estate, damages can be sought for surviving family members, including heirs and beneficiaries, who have suffered losses. If the wrongful death case is successful, the personal representative will hold such damages in a trust to then distribute accordingly.

Five Elements of a Wrongful Death Case

There are five elements to a wrongful death case in New York :

• A death occurred;
• The death was caused by the defendant’s wrongful conduct;
• The deceased could have pursued action in court if he/she had survived;
• One or more persons suffered a loss as a result of the death; and
• There are recoverable damages.

Each of these elements must be proven to reach a successful resolution.

Available Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim

The damages that you can recover in a successful wrongful death claim are largely unique when compared to a typical personal injury claim. Since the damages are related to the loss of a life and the impact that creates on their loved ones, the total amount of compensation owed to the plaintiff can be significant.

Some of the damages that might be applicable in your wrongful death claim are:

• Any expenses related to burials, wakes, or funerals
• Medical costs incurred while treating the deceased’s final injuries or illnesses
• Wages the deceased did not earn between their accident and their date of death
• Economic value of support, care, and guidance now lost upon close family members
• Inheritance lost by the deceased’s children
• Undue pain and suffering experienced by the deceased

Please note that you cannot collect damages for your own emotional trauma caused by the passing of a loved one. This type of noneconomic damage is not available in New York unless specifically agreed upon in a settlement offered by the defendant.

Balancing Precise Casework with Compassion

At The Sultzer Law Group P.C., we understand how difficult it is to pursue compensation for the loss of a loved one, even when you know it is the right thing to do in their name. Dealing with insurance companies, interpreting legalese, and keeping up with due dates as your claim progresses is plenty of work under normal circumstances. To help you set aside those responsibilities while still pursuing justice and fair compensation, we offer a balance of professionalism and compassion.

We are not here to rush you into things or needlessly complicate your case. We are also not here to idly manage your claim and hope for the best. Instead, we actively pursue optimal outcomes on your behalf, so you can focus on grieving and recovering in your own way. In this way, we are both your legal advisors and your moral support.

Get Experienced Help from Our Proven Trial Attorneys

Wrongful death cases are complicated and can be challenging to prove, but our trial attorneys have more than 100 years of collective experience, and we have access to expert witnesses and investigators that help us build compelling cases for our clients. If you’re the personal representative of a loved one’s estate or are a family member who may be entitled to the proceeds of a wrongful death action, we may be able to help.

Contact our New York wrongful death lawyers for your free, private consultation.