Queens Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. In your time of grieving, the last thing you should have to worry about is funeral expenses, or medical bills. If you have lost someone you love due to the negligence of another party, an experienced Queens wrongful death lawyer can examine all the aspects of your case and advise you of all your possible legal options. Contact a capable and compassionate attorney that can work tirelessly to help you recover the damages that you deserve.
What are the Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?
While nothing can bring back a loved one or make up for such a tremendous loss, receiving compensation from the negligent party can help pay necessary expenses during a time when financial stresses should ideally not be a top concern.
Many families use wrongful death awards to pay for funeral expenses, medical bills related to end-of-life care, or emergency treatment costs. Compensation may also help families make up for the loss of the deceased person’s wages and contribution to running the household, make up for the loss of the surviving spouse’s wages during their bereavement, move or downsize residences, and put money away for children’s college funds or future needs, etc.
What Wrongful Death Actions are a Deterrent of Future Harmful Behavior?
No matter what a compensation award for a wrongful death in Queens is used for, it is an important step for families in moving forward following their loved one’s death due to another party’s harmful conduct. This is one reason why wrongful death awards are also used as a deterrent to punish the negligent party and discourage them from engaging in such dangerous or reckless conduct in the future.
While no amount of money can compare to a life lost, some families find comfort in knowing that their loved one’s unnecessary death did not go unpunished, and that lives may be saved in the future if the negligent party is encouraged to change their practices. A skilled Queens wrongful death attorney can attempt to ensure that an individual receives the award that they deserve, and that the at-fault party is held responsible.
Common Types of Wrongful Death Claims
There are a number of different scenarios that could lead to a wrongful death action. Almost any way in which a person could be killed could result in a Queens wrongful death claim, so long as the defendant party contributed to the cause of death.
Some of the most common examples of wrongful death claims in New York include but are not limited to:
- Dangerous drugs
- Defective products
- Construction accidents
- Workplace deaths
- Exposure to toxins, such as asbestos, and hazardous chemicals
- Motor vehicle and large truck accidents
- Assaults, murders and domestic violence
- Drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter
- Medical malpractice and surgical errors
Comparative Negligence in New York
New York operates under the doctrine of pure comparative negligence, which means that parties – or their family members, in the case of a wrongful death action – may still recover compensation from the wrongdoing person or company, even if the victim’s own actions contributed to their death in some way, and no matter how large a portion the contribution is.
Some states bar recovery of compensation when a victim is partially responsible for their own injuries, but under New York law, victims and their families may still receive compensation, even when they are more than 50% responsible for the fault in bringing about the accident or injury.
Consulting an Attorney
Regardless of how your loved one died or who was at fault, it is crucial that you begin working with an experienced Queens wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible, in order to pursue the compensation you may need. Balancing the logistics of supporting your family after your loved one has passed, while still giving yourself time to grieve is difficult. Contact an attorney who can alleviate that burden so you and your family can focus on healing.
