Wrongful Death Attorney NYC

The untimely death of a loved one can have a devastating impact on a family. In addition to the shock and grief, families are often faced with mounting financial pressures as a result of their unexpected loss. Most people are unprepared to cover funeral costs and medical bills, or make up for the loss of income.

If your loved one’s death was caused by negligence on the part of another individual or a company, you should know that you may be entitled to financial compensation. Although no amount of money can undo the loss and pain your family has been put through, a financial recovery can help ease your burdens and bring a sense of justice for your loved one.

At Belluck & Fox, our compassionate NYC wrongful death lawyers have been helping families across New York and throughout the nation for more than two decades. Our trusted attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and jury awards for our deserving clients, and we stand ready to fight for your family now.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, during which we can answer any questions you may have. Our NYC legal team is available to meet with you anywhere in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island or surrounding areas.

How Our Top-Rated Wrongful Death Lawyers in NYC Can Help You

When you choose the award-winning trial attorneys at Belluck & Fox, you can trust our team to handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim, including:

A detailed independent investigation into what caused your loved one’s death

Our knowledgeable NYC lawyers will review all the details and facts surrounding your case. Depending on the circumstances, we may:

• Gather any photos or videos of the accident and your loved one’s injuries
• Talk to witnesses and get their statements
• Collect all the medical evidence related to your loved one’s fatal injury or occupational illness
• Obtain official reports such as police accident reports, etc.
• Hire professional experts to analyze the evidence and reconstruct the accident scene, if necessary

A thorough review of the medical evidence

Our legal team will do all the legwork to collect medical records documenting your loved one’s fatal injury or illness. We may also consult with medical experts.

Comprehensive calculation of the damages your family has suffered

Our lawyers will document and account for all the ways in which this tragedy has affected your life, and will continue to affect you into the future. We will demand the full financial compensation you are entitled to recover.

Aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies

In a majority of cases, our wrongful death attorneys in NYC are able to negotiate full settlements without going to trial. However, our nationally respected litigators will not back down from a courtroom battle if that’s the only way to obtain justice for our clients.

What Do You Need to Prove in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In a New York wrongful death claim, you must be able to show that someone else’s negligent actions led to the death of your loved one. In some cases, the action that led to your loved one’s death may result in criminal charges and penalties. However, a wrongful death lawsuit is your way to hold the at-fault party accountable through a civil claim.

Only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may bring a wrongful death claim in New York. That representative could be a surviving spouse or another family member. In order for a claim to be successful, your wrongful death attorney will need to prove that:

• The defendant acted negligently
• The negligent action(s) caused the victim’s death
• The victim has surviving family members who are eligible to receive damages
• These survivors have suffered financial damage due to their loved one’s death

When you are grieving the loss of a close family member after an accident, it can seem clear that the at-fault party should be held accountable. Unfortunately, these cases can be very complex, so it is important to have a respected New York City wrongful death lawyer on your side to craft a strong claim for compensation.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in New York?

It may seem reasonable that the victim’s closest family member(s) would be the ones filing a wrongful death claim. In New York, though, only the personal representative of the victim’s estate can file such as lawsuit.

However, compensation that results from a successful wrongful death claim can be passed on to:

• A surviving spouse
• Children
• Direct relatives such as siblings and parents

The damages recovered in a wrongful death claim go to the victim’s estate and are then distributed to heirs based on the guidelines outlined in wills, trusts or state law.

Our Attorneys Demand Full Compensation in NYC Wrongful Death Cases

The pain and suffering that survivors experience when losing a loved one have a huge impact on their lives. Unfortunately, spouses, children and other close relatives are usually not entitled to recover payment for their personal pain and suffering.

However, there are several types of financial compensation that can be pursued as part of a wrongful death claim:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses related to treating the victim prior to death
• Loss of wages and benefits from the time of the injury or illness to the time of death
• Loss of support and services the victim provided to loved ones
• Loss of inheritance by surviving children
• Loss of nurturing, guidance and care for surviving children

In addition, you may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering your family member experienced prior to death. These damages would be pursued through a “survivorship action” that is brought by the deceased’s estate.

In extreme cases, such as where criminal actions or willful misconduct led to a wrongful death, our lawyers may seek punitive damages to punish the at-fault party for this atrocious behavior.

At Belluck & Fox, our knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers in NYC will review your case and explain all of your options for demanding justice for your loved one. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death Claims in New York

New York State sets a strict time limit of two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Because it takes time and work to build a strong claim for compensation, it is crucial to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney in NYC as soon as you feel comfortable to explore your legal options.

Our trusted attorneys are sensitive to your needs and will allow your family the time and space to heal while we manage all the details related to your legal claim. Our goal is to take as much of the burden off you as possible.

How Long Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take?

In general, most wrongful death cases in New York are settled before they get to the point of a jury verdict or judgment. Unfortunately, a fair settlement offer may not come until the very last minute.

The sad truth is that obtaining justice for your loved one can be a complex process, and a wrongful death lawsuit can take years for a settlement or verdict to be reached and compensation awarded. Throughout the process, though, you can trust that the compassionate attorneys at Belluck & Fox will work diligently to keep your claim moving forward as efficiently as possible.

Why Choose Our Top-Tier NYC Law Firm for Your Wrongful Death Case?

Over the years, our law firm has earned a national reputation for helping families recover full and fair compensation after the unjust loss of a loved one. Clients recommend our dedicated wrongful death attorneys in NYC because:

We are always compassionate and sensitive to your needs

Our team knows that you are coping with possibly the worst tragedy your family will ever face, and we do everything we can to be here for you.

We shield you and protect your privacy throughout the process

Our attorneys will not allow aggressive insurance companies or other at-fault parties to hassle you during this difficult time. We manage all communications on behalf of you and your family.

We are tireless in our pursuit of justice for your family member

There are many times when a family may feel like giving up. But our dedicated attorneys will be here every step of the way to fight for the maximum compensation you and your family deserve.

No Fees Unless Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in NYC Recover Money for You

Belluck & Fox handles wrongful deaths cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not charge any money upfront to begin work on your case, and you don’t owe us anything unless and until we win compensation for you.

Contact us today for a free case review.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in NYC

Our top-ranked attorneys have extensive experience successfully handling a wide variety of wrongful death claims. Although the circumstances vary, many times the liable party is a powerful insurance company with a team of aggressive attorneys.

Our legal team has taken on large insurers and giant corporations in a range of cases involving:

• Dangerous conditions at stores or other properties causing slips and falls
• Nursing home neglect or abuse
• Jobsite accidents such as falls at construction sites
• Public transportation disasters or plane crashes
• Auto accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians
• Dangerous or defective products
• Asbestos claims
• Heinous criminal acts

If your family is dealing with the unexpected loss of a loved one and wants to discuss your legal options, contact our skilled wrongful death lawyers in New York City now for a free case review. Remember: You are not alone in this. We are here to help.

Contact Experienced NYC Wrongful Death Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

Our award-winning NYC personal injury attorneys at Belluck & Fox have been recognized by Best Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, Super Lawyers, Avvo and The National Law Journal. We offer one-on-one customer service and top-quality legal representation, and our team is extremely sensitive to those who are struggling to cope with a devastating loss.

Contact us now to set up a free consultation, and learn how our legal team can help you fight for justice.