Brooklyn, Bronx, and NYC Wrongful Death Attorney

A wrongful death claim is a legal means to seek justice for a deceased loved one and pursue compensation for your family’s losses. If you have lost a family member through someone else’s negligence, contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC today. Our experienced New York personal injury lawyers can assist you in a wrongful death claim for compensation in Brooklyn, The Bronx, and everywhere throughout NYC .

Why Choose Us?

We have more than 20 years of experience representing clients in wrongful death claims.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we charge you no fees unless we win your case.
Our focus is on providing effective and aggressive representation for our clients.

What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death is the death of a human being caused by the wrongful act or omission of another. The term denotes a civil action in which damages are sought against the party responsible for causing death. A wrongful death claim can only be brought in cases where the deceased person would have had a personal injury claim for compensation had he or she lived.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in New York?

In the state of New York, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate is responsible for filing a wrongful death claim. A surviving family member may not bring a claim to court unless he or she is also the personal representative.

However, the personal representative is seeking damages for losses suffered by the heirs, beneficiaries, and devisees of the deceased person, in addition to losses suffered by the estate of the deceased. When damages are awarded, the personal representative holds those damages in trust for the surviving family members who benefit from the claim.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Damages depend on the specific facts surrounding a particular case. New York courts have awarded damages in wrongful death claims for:

Reasonable medical expenses related to the final illness or injury of the deceased
Funeral and burial expenses
Lost benefits and wages between the date of the deceased’s final injury or illness and the date of death
Conscious pain and suffering endured by the deceased because of the final illness or injury
Value of support and services the deceased provided to family members
Value of parental care, guidance, and nurturing to surviving children
Loss of inheritance suffered by surviving children
Interest on the damages award, calculated from the date of death

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim can arise when the death of a person is caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another. Common causes include:

Why You Need a Lawyer

The loss of a loved one can be devastating for family members. The sooner you retain a wrongful death attorney, the better. We can investigate your loved one’s death to determine cause and liability and obtain and secure evidence. We can deal with insurance companies, or the other side, on your behalf and handle every aspect of your claim, so you can grieve for your loved one undisturbed.

Contact Us Today

A wrongful death claim allows you to hold responsible parties accountable and pursue compensation for your family’s future. If you have lost someone you love due to negligence, contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC as soon as possible to schedule a consultation. We are proud to serve all areas of New York, from Brooklyn to Staten Island.