Wrongful Death Lawsuit When A Loved One Passed Due to Negligence
The passing of a loved one is never easy. When this tremendous loss is the result of the wrongful actions of another, the grief and anger are limitless. For those confronted by this tragic reality, New York provides a means of seeking justice. Under the state’s wrongful death laws, if a person’s death can be proven to have been caused by the wrongful actions of another, the immediate family of the victim can be awarded compensation from the parties responsible for the death. While no amount of compensation can ever replace a loved one, it can bring some sense of justice and closure, as well as help to cover the costs of medical or funeral expenses and lost income.
Family of Hofstra University Student Files a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family of a Hofstra University student who was fatally shot by a Nassau County police officer after she was taken hostage by an armed home intruder. Blaming the young woman’s death on negligence on the part of the police, the suit alleges that officers “recklessly and unnecessarily endangered” her life when they swarmed her residence in response to a fellow student’s emergency call. While the armed intruder was shot and killed by the police officers, so too was the young woman. As the wrongful death lawsuit proceeds, this tragedy will be revisited in the Nassau County District Court.
New York’s Wrongful Death Laws Allow Survivors to Recover Compensation
In New York, a wrongful death lawsuit is an action for damages that becomes available when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful conduct of another. The wrongful death action must be brought by the duly appointed personal representative of the deceased. Once properly initiated, the personal representative bringing suit must prove that the defendant 1) acted negligently, 2) the negligence cause the deceased person’s death, 3) there is a surviving spouse, child, or other dependents or beneficiaries, and 4) the survivors have suffered financial damage as a result of the deceased person’s death. Negligence is a legal doctrine; to better understand if it applies to your unique circumstances, contact a knowledgeable and experienced wrongful death lawyer.
What to Do if a Loved One Has Been the Victim of a Wrongful Death
Have you recently lost a loved one to the wrongful actions of another? Besides the potential police misconduct context highlighted by the case of the Hofstra University student, wrongful death actions often arise from construction accidents, car crashes, and medical malpractice. Whether the at-fault party is another person, or business or municipality, New York’s wrongful death laws provide a means of holding that party accountable. Not only that, but the laws are a means for you and your immediate family members to receive financial compensation from the at-fault parties – compensation that is critical at a time when you are faced with medical and funeral expenses, and lost wages, on top of the already immeasurable emotional toll. If these are the tragic circumstances you are faced with, reach out to a compassionate, dedicated, and skilled New York wrongful death lawyer. Call the attorneys of Peters, Berger, Koshel & Goldberg P.C. at 1-800-836-7801 or 718-596-7800 to schedule a consultation. Our purpose is to obtain justice and the highest possible recovery for families and survivors, and we will guide you through this difficult time.