Wrongful Death

A fatal crash leaves a family facing questions nobody should have to answer while grieving. In New York, only the estate’s personal representative, appointed by the Surrogate’s Court, can bring a wrongful death case, with a two-year window after the death in most cases. Damages cover financial losses, like lost support and services, and a separate survival claim covers what the person suffered before death.

The Grieving Families Act has been vetoed repeatedly and isn’t law. See our wrongful death guide.