Levittown Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one is a heartbreaking experience, and the aftermath of such a loss can leave a family emotionally overwhelmed. However, if a person’s death was due to another person’s negligence, their family should not hesitate to seek the advice of legal counsel to determine if they can file a claim for financial compensation. If you believe that someone else’s carelessness caused the death of your loved one, contact a Levittown wrongful death lawyer to start building a case.

Who Is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

If a person dies in an accident that was not their fault, their family members may be able to collect financial compensation for the loss of their loved one by filing a wrongful death action. However, state law dictates who is eligible to recover damages in this manner, and it is important for the family members to discuss their situation with a Levittown attorney as soon as possible after their loved one’s death to determine the best steps to take. Typically, the individual named in the deceased person’s will is who would be eligible to recover damages.

When a person dies without a will under New York law, only the next of kin may recover damages in a wrongful death case. For example, if a husband dies in a car accident, his wife may pursue compensation. If a single woman dies without a spouse or children but leaves surviving parents and siblings, her parents may seek damages. The specific outcome depends on which family members qualify as next of kin under the law.

Types of Damages Awarded in Wrongful Death Cases

Many of the damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death action are economic. These damages typically compensate the following losses, among others:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical bills
• Loss of future wages

The damages in a wrongful death action can also involve the survivor portion of the claim, which addresses the conscious pain and suffering the deceased person may have experienced prior to their passing. As this form of harm is not immediately quantifiable, a professional will need to come up with a concrete amount after examining the situation. A Levittown lawyer could further explain how this process works in wrongful death cases.

Another form of non-economic damages includes loss of companionship. The law recognizes this harm as compensable, and although it may represent only a small portion of the total recovery, the court assigns it a monetary value. The amount varies from case to case and often depends on witness testimony or evaluations from professionals such as experienced psychologists.

Get in Touch with a Levittown Wrongful Death Attorney Today

Wrongful death cases are legally complex and emotionally painful, and it can be extremely difficult to go through the process of filing a claim for damages without professional assistance. If you have recently lost a loved one, schedule a consultation with a Levittown wrongful death lawyer right away. Call our office today to speak to a member of our team and learn more.