Wrongful Death
Our New York law firm can get you monetary compensation for a loved one's wrongful death
New York law provides for monetary compensation to close relatives of a person who died as a result of a defective product or by an accident caused by a wrongful act by another person.
Wrongful acts include—
- Reckless acts, such as a person driving recklessly with indifference to the safety of others
- Negligent acts, such as those listed in our areas of practice causing injury by the negligence of another that leads to the death of your loved one
Even if the person who caused your loved one's death is criminally prosecuted, and regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, you may still bring a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court for monetary compensation for lost financial and emotional support. For example, O.J. Simpson was found to be not guilty by a jury in his criminal trial. That means that the prosecution was unable to prove that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the standard in a criminal case. However the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman sued him in state court for wrongful death, and prevailed because the standard of proof—a preponderance of the evidence (more than 50 percent likely)—is lower than the criminal standard. Note that unlike a criminal prosecution, in a civil wrongful death lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages, not a prison sentence.
The following damages and expenses may be claimed—
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering of your loved one before death
- Loss of wages and benefits that your loved one provided his or her family and would have provided in the future were it not for the unfortunate death
- Loss of love, companionship, support, or care suffered by the survivors
- Punitive damages, in some cases, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer
Wrongful death cases are often complex and time-consuming. It is important to have a lawyer who has both the experience and dedication to aggressively try your case, but at the same time provide the personal care and attention you deserve during this difficult time. The attorneys at Segan Nemerov & Singer have extensive experience with various types of wrongful death cases, and we understand the impact that the sudden death of a loved one has on the surviving family members. We are dedicated to providing you with personalized and compassionate service.
