Long Island Wrongful Death Lawyer
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Jun. 18, 2024
The unexpected passing of a loved one is always a harrowing experience. Coping with a loved one’s death can be especially challenging when another’s careless or reckless behavior causes it.
Nothing can fill the gap in your life when a close loved one dies. However, you could alleviate the financial stress of their death through a wrongful death lawsuit.
If your loved one would still be alive were it not for the wrongful actions of another party, your family deserves justice. Contact Shulman & Hill to discuss your legal options. Our Long Island wrongful death lawyers are prepared to help you recover compensation for your losses. To learn more, dial (866) 932-5558 for a free consultation.
The Role of a Wrongful Death Law Firm on Long Island
Our Long Island personal injury attorneys can alleviate some of your stress by handling the legal aspects of your case. We can pursue the compensation you may be entitled to in the following essential ways:
Investigating the Cause of the Accident
Our established personal injury firm has the resources needed to conduct a comprehensive investigation to hold the responsible parties accountable. To prove your loved one’s death was genuinely caused by another party’s wrongful actions, we conduct a thorough investigation.
Our team may gather photo and video evidence, witness statements, medical records, and other documents to prove the at-fault party was responsible for your loved one’s demise. With this evidence, we build a strong case to support your claim for financial compensation.
Handling the Legal Process
You should be focused on your health and well-being in the aftermath of a loved one’s passing. Do not add to your burdens by corresponding with insurance adjusters, filing legal paperwork, or tackling other legal tasks. We can handle the legal footwork for you, so you can address the needs of your family during this difficult time.
Our team can respond to phone calls, emails, and letters from demanding insurance carriers. We can work to ensure your wrongful death lawsuit is filed within the appropriate legal time frame. You can rely on us to aggressively represent your interests at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.
Negotiating With Insurance Carriers
Insurers may not be motivated to pay a fair settlement for the loss of your loved one. Even if an insurance company accepts your claim, they may still try to convince you to accept unreasonably low offers. The Long Island wrongful death lawyers at Shulman & Hill know how to recognize and counter these tactics. We can help you identify unfair offers and negotiate for an appropriate settlement on your behalf.
Meeting Critical Deadlines
The New York statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is typically two years from the date your loved one passed away, per EPTL § 5-4.1. However, deadlines for filing lawsuits can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s wrongful death. If you miss important legal deadlines, you could lose the chance to secure compensation altogether.
Shulman & Hill’s skilled wrongful death attorneys are well-versed in state and local laws regarding wrongful death and personal injury cases. We can review your case and advise which legal time limits apply to your situation. If we take your case, we can work hard to file it on time.
When You Can Seek Compensation After a Loved One’s Wrongful Death on Long Island
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,500,000 settlement for a non-union laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,000,000 settlement for an immigrant laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,600,000 settlement for a 53-year-old union bus driver
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for an undocumented day laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a bus driver
The loved ones of deceased individuals must prove the circumstances of their deaths meet certain criteria to justify pursuing compensation. To recover compensation after your loved one’s passing, you must show that:
- Another party’s careless, reckless, negligent, or wrongful actions caused your loved one’s death.
- Had they been injured but not died, your loved one would have had the justification to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Eligible parties close to the deceased, such as their spouse or children, incurred losses due to their passing.
Pursuing justice and compensation after a loved one’s wrongful death can be challenging. However, your case may feel less stressful if you work with a well-established Long Island personal injury law firm. Shulman & Hill’s skilled wrongful death attorneys are well-acquainted with the intricacies of wrongful death claims. We can provide the legal support you need following the tragic loss of someone you love.
Who Can Seek Compensation in a Long Island Wrongful Death Case?
New York’s wrongful death statutes limit who can take legal action after an untimely death due to another’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. The deceased person’s legally appointed personal representative could file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, the laws can be complicated, so you may want to consider working with an attorney familiar with Long Island wrongful death claims.
If you are not sure whether you are entitled to file a wrongful death claim on Long Island, speak with the legal team at Shulman & Hill. During your free initial consultation, we can explain which laws may apply and help you make an informed decision about your next steps.
If we decide to work together, we will provide legal support and guidance throughout the process, answer your questions, and keep you updated on the status of your case. We handle all our wrongful death claims on a contingency-fee basis, so you owe us nothing for our legal services until and unless we win your case. Let our Long Island wrongful death attorneys handle the complex legalities while you focus on recovering from your loss.
Losses You Can Claim Following a Long Island Wrongful Death
Various factors influence the damages you can seek following the death of a loved one. It is impossible to determine the potential value of a case in advance. An attorney with extensive experience handling Long Island wrongful death cases can help you pursue fair compensation for the full scope of your losses, including:
Economic Losses
Economic losses are financial losses calculated using documentation such as medical bills, repair invoices, and pay stubs. Such losses may include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of your loved one’s financial support
- Medical expenses incurred by your loved one due to their fatal condition.
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses in a wrongful death lawsuit refer to subjective damages that are more difficult to quantify. For example, you may be able to claim financial compensation for conscious pain and suffering your loved one experienced due to their fatal injury or illness.
At Shulman & Hill, we know that a wrongful death claim is a unique and deeply personal experience. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys on Long Island can guide you through the complicated legal process to pursue the compensation you deserve for this tragic loss.
Pursuing Compensation in a Long Island Wrongful Death Case
Shulman & Hill’s legal team is dedicated to pursuing justice on behalf of wrongful death victims and their loved ones. While every case is different, the legal process typically involves the following steps:
- Determining whose behavior may have caused the wrongful death: One of our wrongful death lawyers can help you investigate the condition that led to your loved one’s death and identify who may have caused it. If another party was at fault, we can hold them financially responsible for your losses.
- Filing a lawsuit against the potentially liable party: This involves gathering supporting evidence that shows how their behavior led to your loved one’s untimely death. This may include gathering surveillance footage, witness statements, police reports, and medical reports.
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company: Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses. Insurers may try to convince claimants to settle for less than their claims may be worth. Our team can defend your legal right to fair compensation against even the most stubborn insurance carriers.
No honest attorney can guarantee you will receive a certain amount of compensation when you file a wrongful death lawsuit, as each case is unique. However, our Long Island wrongful death lawyers can provide the aggressive representation you deserve to help you secure fair compensation.
Examples of Long Island Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases involve deaths caused by another individual or group’s unreasonably careless or reckless behavior. Some examples of situations that may qualify as wrongful death include:
- A speeding driver causes a car accident that results in the death of another driver, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist.
- Someone dies because a property owner or business owner failed to address or alert them to the presence of a hazard on the premises, such as a defective elevator, slippery surface, or uneven flooring.
- A nursing home resident passes away because the facility neglected their care by failing to administer essential medication as prescribed.
- An employee dies because a general contractor or employer failed to take steps to keep them safe, such as providing them with essential safety equipment.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you are unsure whether you can seek compensation for your loved one’s death, review your case with a Long Island wrongful death lawyer at Shulman & Hill. One of our legal experts can review the circumstances of your loved one’s death to help determine if you may have grounds to file a lawsuit.
Protect Your Legal Rights in a Long Island Wrongful Death Case
When you suffer the loss of someone you love, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed and disoriented. Take these steps to streamline the legal process and protect your legal rights following the wrongful death of a loved one:
Document Everything About the Case
A wrongful death lawsuit relies on evidence to prove the losses you and your family suffered. You can simplify the legal process by gathering any documentation of your losses, including:
- Your loved one’s medical bills before their death
- Invoices for funeral expenses and burial costs
- Pay stubs to show how much your loved one earned
- Bank statements and other financial documentation to establish household expenses
- Medical records documenting your loved one’s injuries and their effects
- The deceased person’s will or other legal documentation about the estate
If you are not sure which documents to use, don’t worry. Shulman & Hill’s attorneys familiar with wrongful death cases on Long Island can help you determine which evidence is necessary to support your case. Our legal team can work with you to request, compile, and organize important legal documentation.
Do Not Sign Anything Without Your Attorney
The responsible parties and their insurance companies may try to obtain a settlement or waiver absolving them of full responsibility. Before you agree to anything verbally or in writing, you may want to consult a wrongful death lawyer on Long Island. Our attorneys can review any settlement offers you receive to determine whether they offer fair compensation for your losses. If not, we can negotiate on your behalf to achieve a more desirable outcome.
Consider Contacting a Long Island Wrongful Death Lawyer
Wrongful death cases are notoriously complicated. You should not have to deal with the legal aspects of your case while undergoing such a traumatic life change. Instead of shouldering the burden on your own, reach out to a Long Island wrongful death attorney at Shulman & Hill. We can help you understand your rights and obligations and provide critical legal support during this challenging time.
Choose Shulman & Hill to Manage Your Wrongful Death Case on Long Island
When you lose a loved one due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, you deserve compensation for your losses. Over the past decade, the Long Island personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Shulman & Hill have successfully recovered over $500 million for clients on Long Island and throughout New York City.
We know how hard it can be to seek justice after the tragic loss of someone you love. Our legal team balances aggressive negotiation tactics with deep compassion for our clients and their families. When you work with Shulman & Hill, you can rest assured that we will bring all our extensive resources and knowledge to achieve the case outcome your family deserves.
Learn more about what we can do for you and your family by calling us today at (866) 932-5558.