New York Wrongful Death Lawyers

Finkelstein & Partners, LLP
1279 NY-300
Newburgh, NY, 12550

(845) 420-1779

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Finkelstein & Partners, LLP – Winning Serious Injury Lawsuits Since 1959

Your doorbell rings, and you open it to see a police officer standing there. When the initial shock wears off, you grow fearful. The police officer identifies themselves and asks your name.

You provide your name, and they tell you your loved one was in a car accident and lost their life. You learn the other driver who struck your spouse’s car was charged with vehicular homicide because they were intoxicated at the time of the accident.

This when you need answers. Losing your loved one is hard enough. Learning they lost their life because someone got behind the wheel of their car while drinking is devastating.

At this time, you need to contact a New York wrongful death lawyer at Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, for immediate assistance.

Why Work With Finkelstein & Partners, LLP?

Since 1959, our firm has worked with victims across New York—helping pursue compensation when someone has suffered an injury or lost their life due to the negligence of another party.

Some of the successes we have had in wrongful death cases include:

• $7.5 million verdict – Wrongful death – preventable drowning incident
• $4.75 million settlement – Wrongful death – product liability
• $3.25 million settlement – Wrongful death – failure to treat acute asthma
• $3.2 million settlement – Wrongful death – state of New York
• $1.3 million settlement – Drunk driver’s insurance pays full policy for wrongful death

We know past results are not an indicator of future results. What we can commit to potential clients is that we will work hard to make sure the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions or inaction.

Whether you want to meet in person or virtually, we can help. We are here to represent those victims who would otherwise feel they have no place to turn when they need help holding someone accountable. Contact Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, today and schedule a free consultation. We are here to help you through the complex process of filing a wrongful death claim.

Determining Wrongful Death Compensation

When family members come to us and ask about potential compensation in a wrongful death case, we advise them of the factors that may impact compensation and the type of compensation available to them.

New York wrongful death statutes are old and antiquated. On June 6, 2023, the New York Senate passed the Grieving Families Act, and it currently awaits the governor’s signature. If passed, it would provide legal recourse for wrongful death lawsuits. But meanwhile, here is what families should know about wrongful death claims in New York.

As with any type of claim, the victim’s age, physical condition before the accident, and the length of time between the accident and death will all be factors in a final claim. These factors will play a significant role in determining the final amount awarded in a settlement.

There are numerous types of compensation that may be included in a claim.

Some of them are:

• Medical expenses. Any medical treatment provided before the death of your loved one may be included in a wrongful death claim.
• Pain and suffering. In cases where a person did not die immediately from their injuries, the family may be able to include their pain and suffering in the claim.
• Wages lost. We can include wages that your loved one would have collected had they survived their injury. This is often the most significant portion of a settlement.
• Owed taxes. New York’s wrongful death statute includes an allowance for personal income taxes a deceased person would have owed. This applies to state, local, and federal taxes.

Finkelstein & Partners, LLP is committed to providing you with the legal assistance you need to guide you through New York’s complex and confusing wrongful death rules. Call us and a New York wrongful death lawyer will review your case and advise you of your legal options to proceed with your claim.

New York Laws and Wrongful Death Claims

Several factors make filing a wrongful death claim in New York complicated.

Some of these include:

• Statutes of limitations. When filing a wrongful death claim, time limits must be considered. In most cases, there is a two-year restriction on filing a wrongful death claim. However, if the person responsible for the death faces a criminal charge, the limit extends to the one-year period after the criminal case concludes.
• Who can file wrongful death claims. In New York, only the personal representative of the estate of the decedent may file such a claim. Sometimes, the personal representative is the spouse or child, but this is not always the case.
• Intestate succession. The Estates, Powers & Trusts (EPT) Chapter 17-B, Article 4 § 4-1.1 sets a specific division of any settlement awarded in wrongful death claims.

Because of the complexities of New York’s wrongful death statutes and the potential of these laws changing in the near future, it is always a good idea for a family to work with a lawyer who has an intimate knowledge of the statutes which apply. This is why Finkelstein & Partners, LLP is the right firm to help you navigate the legal system for wrongful death claims.

Elements of a Wrongful Death Claim

Car accidents are not the only time someone can lose their life and have another party responsible. Finding someone liable for the loss of your loved one can be complicated because so many potential issues can arise.

Some of the other types of causes of wrongful death include:

• Failure to properly diagnose an illness
• Failure to properly treat an illness or injury
• Surgical errors
• Unsafe conditions in the workplace
• Dangerous conditions on roadways with no warning
• Drowning accidents when no action is taken
• Falling because of unsafe conditions in a facility

Several types of injuries can result in someone losing their life. A poor decision on someone else’s part could result in your losing someone in your life. At Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, our wrongful death attorneys work tirelessly to ensure the responsible parties are identified and that they are held financially accountable for their negligent conduct.

Insurance Company Adjusters and Wrongful Death Claims

When you lose a loved one following a car accident, especially when the other person is clearly at fault, you may get a call from an insurance adjuster shortly after the accident.

Keep a few things in mind:

• You do not need to talk to any insurance adjuster
• You do not need to answer their questions
• You do not have to provide a recorded statement

You should advise any adjuster contacting you that you have hired an attorney or plan to hire one. This is important because the insurance company will not do anything to protect your legal rights. If you have already contacted the office of Finkelstein & Partners, LLP to represent you, you should refer the insurance adjuster to your case worker.

This is important for several reasons:

• Possible offers from the insurer. The insurer may make an immediate offer to send you money to cover funeral and burial costs. Do not fall into this trap. Chances are, this offer will come with an important disclaimer stating that once you deposit the check, the insurer has no liability.
• Communications with the insurer. It is always important to remember that the insurance adjuster’s job is to ensure that as little is paid out on a claim as possible. They may appear to be concerned with you and your family, but they are prying for information that they may be able to use to reduce the overall total of your claim.
• Non-disclosure issues. An insurer is under no obligation to provide you with relevant information regarding the amount of insurance available. They may balk at the idea of giving you that information.
• Document floods. There is a good chance you will get several pieces of written communication from the insurance company. Sometimes, they may ask you to sign release forms and provide information about the accident and other items. Do not sign any insurer-provided documents without having the Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, team review them first—once retained. What may seem like an innocent document could contain language, resulting in your forfeiting some of your rights.

We have worked with insurance companies of all sizes. We know some of the tactics they use to minimize claims which are submitted to them. Remember, these are the same tactics they would use if your loved one had survived their fatal accident—the bottom line is that insurers do not like to pay claims.