Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is one of the most painful experiences any family can endure. Beyond the emotional devastation, surviving relatives often face overwhelming financial burdens, from unpaid medical bills to the sudden loss of household income. In New York, the law allows families to pursue wrongful death compensation to ease these burdens and hold negligent parties accountable.
At Cellino Law, our New York wrongful death attorneys guide grieving families through this process with compassion and determination. With billions recovered for clients, we know how to build strong claims that cover both the measurable financial losses and the deeper, less tangible harms that follow a wrongful death.
What Are Economic Damages in a New York Wrongful Death Claim?
Economic damages refer to the quantifiable financial losses caused by the death. These can be calculated with bills, receipts, and expert financial testimony. Common examples include:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital care, emergency treatment, and other healthcare costs incurred before death.
- Funeral and Burial Costs: Expenses for memorial services, burial, cremation, and related arrangements.
- Lost Income and Benefits: Wages, salaries, retirement contributions, and health insurance benefits the deceased would have provided.
- Loss of Household Services: The value of childcare, housekeeping, or other contributions the loved one regularly provided.
In many cases, Cellino Law works with economists and vocational experts to project the long-term financial support that the deceased would have offered their family over a lifetime. This ensures no dollar is left unclaimed.
What Are Non-Economic Damages in a New York Wrongful Death Claim?
Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional and relational losses caused by the death. These damages do not have a fixed price tag but are just as significant in a claim:
- Pain and Suffering of the Deceased: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional anguish the victim endured before passing.
- Loss of Companionship and Consortium: The emotional suffering from losing a spouse, parent, or child, including love, support, and guidance.
- Emotional Distress of Survivors: While New York law can limit recovery for grief itself, courts recognize certain forms of emotional loss tied to the wrongful death.
Proving these damages requires not only strong evidence but also storytelling that conveys the full impact of the loss. At Cellino Law, we take time to understand your family’s unique story so we can present it with the compassion and strength it deserves.
Legal Insights: Who Can Recover Damages in New York?
Under New York Estates, Powers & Trusts Law (EPTL) § 5-4.1, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. However, the compensation is distributed to surviving family members such as spouses, children, or dependents who suffered losses as a result of the death.
This makes it critical to have skilled legal representation to ensure claims are filed correctly and within New York’s two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death actions.
How Cellino Law Maximizes Wrongful Death Compensation
Every wrongful death case requires a careful balance of legal skill and human understanding. Our team at Cellino Law works with:
- Medical Experts: To detail the care and suffering endured before death.
- Financial Analysts: To calculate lifetime earning potential and household contributions.
- Grief and Psychological Specialists: To demonstrate the depth of emotional loss.
- Trial-Ready Attorneys: To take cases to court if insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement.
This comprehensive approach ensures that families receive not just partial justice, but the full compensation they are entitled to.
Local Resources for Families Coping with Wrongful Death in New York
Families facing the aftermath of wrongful death can turn to both legal and support resources, including:
- New York State Unified Court System – for information on wrongful death filings and probate court procedures.
- New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner – provides autopsy and official cause-of-death records that can be crucial in a claim.
- New York State Department of Health – issues death certificates required for legal filings and estate matters.
- Support groups such as Compassionate Friends NYC Chapter – offering community and counseling for grieving families.
Contact Cellino Law Today
No settlement can replace the life of a loved one, but securing financial justice can protect your family’s future and bring a sense of accountability. At Cellino Law, our New York wrongful death attorneys stand beside families in their hardest moments, fighting for both economic stability and recognition of the deep personal loss you’ve endured.
Call Cellino Law today for a free consultation. With offices across New York and Connecticut, we are here to help your family pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.