Losing a loved one can be one of the hardest and most painful times in your life. The emotional toll can be overwhelming, while the financial consequences can be devastating. This holds particularly true when a loved one is suddenly and unexpectedly taken from you by another party’s negligence, malpractice or wrongdoing.
While money can never replace the loss of a loved one, it can provide some measure of justice for a grieving family and help maintain financial security. In New York State, the damages recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit are limited to “pecuniary damages”, i.e. the financial loss suffered by distributees of the deceased’s estate. Such damages include lost earnings and the financial support the deceased would have provided to his or her family had he lived. They also include the value of nurturing, guidance and education a deceased parent would have given to his or her children, and the cost of medical and funeral expenses incidental to death. Unfortunately, New York State does not permit any recovery for a family member’s grief, sorrow or loss of companionship.
At Kramer, Dunleavy & Ratchik, PLLC, we have successfully represented families in wrongful death actions and helped them obtain much needed peace of mind in their time of grief. Our attorneys understand and appreciate what it means to lose a spouse or child and will help you demonstrate the full extent of your losses to a jury.
If you believe that a family member or loved one’s death may have been caused due to someone else’s negligence, malpractice or wrongdoing, contact an experienced attorney at Kramer, Dunleavy & Ratchik, PLLC, for a free consultation. We will be with you every step of the way during your time of need and fight to make sure that you and your family are fairly compensated for your loss.