If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you have our deepest sympathies. There is no greater pain than losing someone you love when their death was preventable.
You may be able to hold the negligent party legally accountable in a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. You could be entitled to compensation for their outstanding medical bills, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and more. A lawyer from Morelli Law Firm who handles wrongful death cases in Buffalo, NY, can investigate the details of your case, identify who is liable, and file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death laws in New York allow for full financial compensation when you lose a loved one. You may have been relying on your spouse or family member for financial support. In addition, you likely have substantial pain and suffering, which we can calculate into the loss. Some of the recoverable damages our wrongful death attorney can file for include the following:
- Lost financial support from the loved one
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills and expenses the survivors had to pay
- Loss of companionship and guidance from the loved one
- Emotional pain and suffering
When you work with Morelli Law Firm, you will have a fierce fighter on your side that will seek to get you the financial recovery you are entitled to. Our lawyers are familiar with wrongful death cases in Buffalo and we are ready to get to work on building your case.
Causes of Wrongful Death We Can Help You Sue for
Most wrongful death cases are due to negligence and errors. However, malice is also another reason for filing a wrongful death action. Sometimes, prosecutors might not have enough evidence to file criminal charges, but they have enough evidence to file a civil suit. If you are not sure, a wrongful death lawyer from our firm who handles cases in Buffalo can determine if you have a case. Some of the more common causes of wrongful death are as follows:
Medical Malpractice
As astounding as it may seem, medical errors account for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. According to a Johns Hopkins Medicine study, medical mistakes are a top cause of death in the United States.
In fact, about one-third of deaths in the U.S. are related to a physician’s error. If this occurred with your loved one, then you have good standing to file a wrongful death suit. Our wrongful death lawyer can help you explore your legal options in Buffalo.
Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents are all-too-common, especially in the construction field. Sometimes malfunctioning equipment causes a problem. Other times, people may fall or get hurt because safety protocols are not in place.
Vehicle Accidents
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcycle accidents cause 28 times more fatalities than passenger cars. Thousands of fatal car accidents occur annually, too. No matter what type of vehicle it is, if your loved one died in a motor vehicle accident, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the at-fault driver or their employer accountable.
Product Liability
Products and product use do not always work out as designed or planned. An item can malfunction and cause the consumer a serious injury. Something could explode or collapse, damaging the person in the process. Sometimes the damage is fatal.
These are just a few of the reasons you can bring a wrongful death suit over a product. If you have any questions about whether your situation fits a wrongful death action, our team can review the evidence in a complimentary case assessment.
Our Firm Gets Results for Our Clients
Our team of attorneys has recovered millions of dollars in awards for our clients. Here are just a few examples of cases we have won:
- $2.5 million for the family of a mother of two who died during a routine kidney stone removal surgery after the doctors responsible were found negligent
- $2.45 million for the family of a woman who died the day after a bungled surgery in a wrongful death medical malpractice suit
- $900,000 for the family of a 66-year-old man who died after negligent medical staff allowed him to undergo elective surgery when his vital signs were unstable
There are many more examples like these on our website. We fight for our clients whether it’s an insurance claim or in court. You should not have to bear the financial burden of losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence on your own. We will handle every aspect of your case from start to finish while you focus on your family.
New York’s Wrongful Death Law Sets Who Can File a Claim and the Time Period in Which to Do So
New York allows the personal representative of a deceased person to file a wrongful death action. The law recognizes that the person may have several losses due to losing a loved one.
New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPT) §5-4.1 states, “The personal representative, duly appointed in this state or any other jurisdiction, of a decedent who is survived by distributees may maintain an action to recover damages for a wrongful act, neglect or default which caused the decedent’s death against a person who would have been liable to the decedent by reason of such wrongful conduct if death had not ensued.”
A legal personal representative may include people such as a spouse, child, or parent. Furthermore, the law goes on to dictate the timeline or statute of limitations by stating, “Such an action must be commenced within two years after the decedent’s death.”
No one deserves to lose a loved one because of someone else’s wrongdoing or negligence. When you hire a wrongful death lawyer from our firm, you can be assured of having a legal advocate fighting by your side as you go through this challenging time.
Contact an Attorney at Morelli Law Firm for Help Today
If you wish to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one in Buffalo, do not delay. A wrongful death lawyer at Morelli Law Firm can handle the issues involved in your case. We can investigate the matter and build a strong claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
You do not have to go another day without seeking recovery. We are standing by, ready to help.