NYC Wrongful Death Attorney

WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEYS SERVING NEW YORK CITY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

The hands of multiple people holding white flowers at funeralLosing a loved one is never easy, and many family members are left to deal with a mix of grief, anger, and sorrow. The burden can be far more difficult to bear when a death is caused by another person’s negligent, reckless, or malicious conduct. Although no amount of money can ever replace a life, it is possible to find justice by pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit with one of our NYC personal injury lawyers.

At Scaffidi & Associates, our wrongful death attorneys have decades of experience serving all five New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, holding negligent parties accountable and helping families find peace of mind. Our lawyers provide each client in wrongful death cases with legal knowledge and compassion and work tirelessly to help them obtain the compensation they deserve.

WHAT IS WRONGFUL DEATH IN NEW YORK?

There are a number of legal issues that factor into proving a wrongful death lawsuit. First, a valid claim requires showing that the defendant’s negligence caused or contributed to the death. 

Additionally, those negligent actions must be the basis for a legal action that could have been pursued had the death not occurred. Finally, one or more survivors must have suffered a loss due to the death, and there must be recoverable damages by the deceased’s estate.

What qualifies as a wrongful death lawsuit? A variety of circumstances can lead to a claim, including:

  • Automobile Accidents – Car accidents result in 35,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Accidents that result from speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, and other traffic violations may be grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.
  • Truck Accidents – Collisions involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles frequently result in fatalities. Due to the size and weight of trucks and tractor-trailers, occupants of smaller vehicles are at high risk of catastrophic injuries and death. A trucking company or truck driver that fails to abide by state and federal safety laws can be held liable for a fatal accident.
  • Medical Malpractice – People place their trust in medical professionals and expect to receive proper care. However, a 2016 study by Johns Hopkins University found that medical error is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. When doctors, hospitals, and others fail to provide the appropriate standard of care and cause or contribute to a patient’s death, they must be held accountable. Wrongful death lawsuits due to medical malpractice can arise from surgical errors, anesthesia errors, prescription errors, misdiagnoses, defective medical equipment and devices, birth injuries, as well as nursing home abuse and neglect. 
  • Workplace Accidents –  Construction sites, manufacturing plants, sanitation work, and other hazardous environments and occupations pose a number of risks. Workers can be killed in falls, fires and explosions, from harmful chemicals, or in equipment and vehicle mishaps. While certain jobs are inherently dangerous, all workers have a right to a safe working environment. Safety violations and negligent or reckless conduct that lead to fatal workplace accidents are often the basis for wrongful death claims.
  • Product Liability – Although manufacturers have an obligation to provide the public with safe products, consumers can be killed by a variety of defective products, such as tools, electronics, appliances, and automobiles, among others. Manufacturers, distributors, product designers, and retailers can be held liable for: (1) providing dangerous or defective products, or (2) failing to warn the public about the risks associated with, or the proper use of, a product.
  • Violent Crimes – Assault, homicide, and deaths that occur during the commission of a crime can lead to criminal charges. It is also possible to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit regardless of whether the accused is convicted because the burden of proof in a civil claim is lower than in a criminal case.

For more information or to discuss the particulars of your situation with an experienced wrongful death attorney, please contact Scaffidi & Associates today.

WHO CAN BRING A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT?

As the top wrongful death attorneys in New York City, we’re often asked if a family can sue for wrongful death. New York law stipulates that the only person who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit is the executor, administrator, or personal representative of the deceased individual’s estate. If the decedent did not have a will, a close family member or relative needs to ask the court to be appointed the estate administrator. In any event, it is possible to recover damages for losses suffered by the decedent’s heirs and beneficiaries, as well as the estate. These damages include:

  • Past and future lost wages and benefits
  • Medical expenses arising from the injury or illness prior to the death
  • The deceased individual’s pain and suffering
  • The value of support and services the decedent provided to loved ones
  • The value of parental care and guidance for surviving minor children
  • Any inheritance that surviving children may have lost
  • Funeral and burial expenses

CONTACT OUR NYC WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEY

At Scaffidi & Associates, we know that losing a loved one is a painful experience, and our wrongful death lawyers offer each client dignity, compassion, and caring. By collaborating with a respected network of investigators and medical and financial experts, we work to show how the defendant’s negligence caused or contributed to the death and the financial losses the victim’s survivors have suffered. 

Our wrongful death attorneys have secured millions of dollars in settlements for clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Rockland, Orange, Westchester, and Long Island. Here are a few notable examples:

  • A $17,464,488 wrongful death verdict for a Queens wife and mother who died from encephalitis after her doctors and hospital failed to diagnose and treat her condition timely.
  • A $9,000,000 settlement for a 32-year old woman suffering from a clot on her artificial heart valve. She died due to the negligence of the hospital and doctors, leaving behind a husband.

Our legal team is committed to helping our clients find justice. Call our office for a free consultation with the top wrongful death attorneys in New York City, or complete the contact form on our website.

CONTACT US ABOUT YOUR CASE

We encourage you to take the time to explore this website as the information provided here will answer many of your questions. We believe that an educated client is our best client. We are also readily available to discuss your case in confidence, whether it’s a matter involving personal injury, medical malpractice, real estate, or other legal challenges. Regardless of the issue you are facing, we are uniquely qualified to provide you with exceptional legal representation and personal service. Call our office or complete the contact form on our website to set up a consultation.