Westchester County Wrongful Death Attorneys

When the negligence of a person or company causes the death of a loved one, the family left behind may have a claim for wrongful death. As families try to heal from the shock and sadness of the sudden loss, they often don’t consider the fact that someone should hold the negligent party accountable for their actions and recover damages that will help ease the financial burden of the loss. Hausman & Pendzick has been a legal resource for the families of wrongful death victims for decades. Through these difficult times, you need to heal while we focus our attention on getting your fair compensation for lost wages, funeral expenses, and other unforeseen costs. Allow our firm to relieve the stress of the future while you focus on healing in the present. If you need a team of effective, compassionate, and determined attorneys to guide you through your wrongful death case, contact Hausman & Pendzick.

What is wrongful death?

According to New York State, there are a number of criteria that must be met in order to successfully bring a wrongful death claim. These include the following:

• There was a death
• The death was caused by the negligence of another person
• If the person had lived, the action against them would be illegal
• The deceased left behind a family who has suffered a financial loss as a result of the death
• The grieving party could be entitled to compensation

Who can file a wrongful death claim?

The personal representative of the estate must be the one to bring a lawsuit to court, according to New York law. Other states are different and allow anyone deeply affected by the loss can bring a suit. New York, however, does not. The representative will seek damages for the deceased person’s family on their behalf.

Recoverable damages

The personal representative of the estate can recover a variety of damages on behalf of the bereaved family. New York does not allow the survivors to recover for damages related to their pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of companionship, even if the deceased is a child. New York focuses on the financial impact of the loss. If you have lost a loved one and have a valid wrongful death claim, you may be entitled to:

• Compensation for medical bills and health care expenses related to the person’s final moments
• Funeral costs
• Wage and other benefits lost by the death
• Financial support related to the support and services provided by the deceased
• Pain and suffering endured by the deceased in their final moments
• Lost inheritance for surviving children
• 9% interest on the recovery awarded, starting from the date of death

Contact our New York wrongful death attorneys

Hausman & Pendzick is a compassionate and effective law firm helping clients with their personal injury matters. If you have lost a loved one because of another person’s negligence, you need to contact a Westchester County personal injury attorney to represent your family’s needs while you focus on healing from the loss. If you need an attorney to assess your case, guide you through your legal options, and passionately represent and protect the rights and future of your family, contact Hausman & Pendzick for a free consultation.