Long Island Wrongful Death Attorney

Have you lost a family member because of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing? You may be entitled to financial compensation for your loss. If your loved one’s death was the result of another person’s negligent actions, you should speak with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. To find out about your legal rights and options, call the Long Island wrongful death attorneys at Gold & Gold for more information.

  • For more than 40 years, Gold & Gold’s team of attorneys has been fighting with integrity for the injured and those who have lost loved ones. We pride ourselves on holding others accountable for their actions to help make our communities safer places to live.
  • Over the years, our law firm has secured significant compensation for our clients in wrongful death cases.
  • We are trial lawyers first. Defense lawyers and insurance companies know this. We will secure the best outcome possible for our clients whether by settlement, mediation, or trial.

If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, our compassionate wrongful death attorneys are here to help you. We understand what an unexpected death means for you and we will fight to get you the financial compensation you deserve. Call the experienced wrongful death attorneys at Gold & Gold today at (516) 888-4653 to begin the process of taking action against the liable parties. We offer free case evaluations.

What Is the Purpose of a Wrongful Death Claim? 

When a loved one dies unexpectedly, the family has medical bills, daily and monthly expenses, burial and funeral costs, and more. This places a great burden on them while they are also mourning the loss of their loved one. As a result, individuals can file a wrongful death claim against the person or company responsible for their family member’s death. This will not only help them get the closure they may need, but it can also help them pay some of their accumulating bills and expenses during this tough time. 

Examples of Accidents That Often Lead to Wrongful Death 

Individuals involved in severe and sudden accidents usually pass away from their injuries. They either die instantly at the accident scene or later succumb to their injuries after a long and rigorous recovery battle. Here are some examples of accidents that often lead to wrongful death:

  • Slip and falls
  • Car accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Scooter accidents
  • Defective and faulty product accidents
  • Medical malpractice incidents
  • Rideshare accidents
  • Train accidents
  • Bus accidents
  • Premises liability accidents
  • Construction site accidents

Who Qualifies to Bring Forth a Wrongful Death Claim in Long Island, NY?

While you may be grieving a close friend or family member, you must know that not everyone qualifies to bring forth a wrongful death claim. According to New York law, you can bring this type of case if you are one of the following:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Child
  • Grandchild
  • Parent

Talk to our Long Island wrongful death attorney today about your loved one’s death and how you can recover compensation.

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Wrongful Death Claim?

In order to make a valid wrongful death claim, you must consider New York’s statute of limitations and the following factors:

Your ability to file a wrongful death claim. Under New York state law, only the personal representative of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. While the personal representative is responsible for making the claim, any compensation received will be distributed to the beneficiaries of the deceased. It is sometimes the case that a family member is also the personal representative of the deceased.

The particular circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death. Generally, if a person would have been able to make a personal injury claim if they had survived the incident that caused their death, then there is a valid wrongful death claim.

It is best to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney who can assess the circumstances of your loved one’s death and determine if you have a valid wrongful death claim.

How to Prove Liability in a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim allows you to seek compensation for your losses from the individual or party responsible for their death. Therefore, if you have decided to file a wrongful death claim, you must make sure that you can prove liability for your loved one’s death. You can do so by establishing the following four elements:

  1. The person or party owed your deceased loved one a duty of care: The person or party responsible for your loved one’s death owed them a duty of care not to put them in harm’s way. This may be their employer, coworker, motor vehicle operator, doctor, nurse, manufacturer, etc. 
  2. The person or party breached their duty of care: The person or party breached their duty of care by choosing to participate in reckless or careless behavior. This may be speeding, running a red light, not following directions, making careless mistakes, and more. 
  3. This breach directly caused your loved one’s death: By engaging in reckless or careless behavior, the person or party directly caused your loved one’s death. 
  4. You suffered losses as a result: You suffered losses from this traumatic and tragic event. For example, you are left with burial and funeral costs and your loved one’s medical bills. If they helped you pay household bills, you now have to find a way to cover all the bills while grieving their loss. 

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In New York, generally, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years after the victim’s death. After the unexpected loss of a loved one, you may be too overwhelmed with grief to take legal action. Unfortunately, failure to file a timely claim can deprive you of your legal right to compensation for the loss of your loved one. Preparing a wrongful death lawsuit requires a lot of time and careful preparation, so you should speak to a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to make a claim.

Get Experienced Help for Your Wrongful Death Claim

If you have lost a family member to the wrongful or negligent actions of another person, we can help you. The experienced team at Gold & Gold will deploy its expertise and resources to ensure that your claim includes every damage you are entitled to for the loss of your loved one. Call us at (516) 888-4653 to schedule your free case evaluation.