Trusted Queens Wrongful Death Attorney

If you've lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Queens, NY, you may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what to do next and where to turn for legal advice.

You may be feeling a range of emotions, including anger, confusion, and sadness along with the stress of affording funeral expenses, and bills, and it's normal to feel this way after a preventable death.

You need a Queens wrongful death lawyer with the experience and compassion to guide you through this difficult time.

At Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, our Queens wrongful death attorneys understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for you and your family. For over twenty-five years, surviving family members throughout New York have chosen our firm to recover justice for their loved ones.

We’ve successfully resolved fatal pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, and slip and falls. Our award-winning legal team will work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation possible under New York law.

Our no-fee guarantee means that when you hire our wrongful death attorneys, you won’t incur any out-of-pocket expenses and we will only get paid if we win your wrongful death case.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal crash, turn to the trusted personal injury attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine — “the voice of the injured.”

Call 212-268-3222 today or contact us online for a free consultation.

Losing a loved one is never easy, our Queens wrongful death lawyers can help

Losing a loved one is always a difficult experience, but it can be especially devastating if their death was caused by the negligence of another person.

If you find yourself in this situation, you may be wondering whether or not you should hire a wrongful death lawyer. While it is possible to file a wrongful death claim in New York City without legal assistance, there are many good reasons to consider hiring an attorney.

At Raphaelson & Levine, our wrongful death attorneys have extensive experience with this type of case and know how to build a strong argument on your behalf.

• Thorough investigation: We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s death and gather evidence to build a strong case. Every wrongful death case has its own set of losses which can include lost wages, cost of care, and other financial costs as well pain and suffering. Our Queens wrongful death attorneys work with the best financial and medical experts to accurately assess all the factors of your case in order to determine a value that reflects your needs.
• Aggressive negotiation: Our attorneys will negotiate with the responsible party, or parties, on your behalf to try to recover maximum compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, cost of car,e and all monetary expenses. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, we will be prepared to take your case to trial and fight for a jury verdict in your favor.
• Emotional support: Our wrongful death lawyers can provide much-needed emotional support during what is likely to be a very difficult time. When you hire our team, you become like a member of our family and are treated with the respect, compassion, and understanding you deserve.
• Awarding justice: By holding those responsible accountable for their negligence, we not only want to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve but prevent others from suffering the same fate. We take pride in knowing our past clients’ verdicts and settlements have helped improve the safety of others throughout the community in Queens, New York.

How does New York define “wrongful death?”

According to New York legislation, N.Y. Est. Powers & Trusts Law § 5-4.1, “wrongful death” is defined as a fatality caused by "a wrongful act, neglect or default.” Unlike other types of personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death claims must be filed by a “personal representative” of the deceased estate.

Who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Queens, NY?

New York’s wrongful death laws are unique.

In Queens, New York State law requires an “executor”, often referred to as the “personal representative”,  of the deceased person's estate to file the wrongful death lawsuit.

Unlike other states, a family member is not authorized to file a wrongful death claim in court unless they are also the executor of the deceased person’s estate.

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in New York City?

Under New York law (EPTL §5-4.1) a personal representative, or “executor” has two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, beginning from the date of your loved one’s death (not the date of their accident).

However, there are exceptions to the wrongful death lawsuit deadline:

• Wrongful death from medical malpractice: If the death was the result of medical malpractice, the time limit to file a claim is extended to two and a half years from the date of the person's death. (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-a (2021.).
• Pending criminal case against the at-fault party: If the person responsible for the death has a pending criminal case against them as a result of the action that caused your loved one’s fatality, the wrongful death statute of limitations is one year from the date the criminal case ends.

Our Queens personal injury lawyers will fight for maximum damages for your family

At Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, we understand that no amount of money can bring your loved one back. But our wrongful death attorneys want to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

We have over twenty-five years of experience fighting for families like yours and know how to get you the most compensation possible in the State of New York.

In a successful wrongful death case, damages are awarded to the deceased person's survivors or estate to ease the burden of their loved one’s passing.

The amount and types of damages awarded will depend on the circumstances of your unique claim, however, common types of  damages that have been  awarded in Queens  wrongful death cases include the following:

• Funeral expenses, including burial and/or cremation services
• Reasonable healthcare and medical expenses or medical debt related to the deceased final injury or illness
• The economic loss of income the deceased would have contributed to the family, beneficiaries, or decedents
• The value of support and services the deceased would have provided to the family
• Replacement cost of any property destroyed in the accident
• Emotional losses, such as loss of parental guidance, nurturing, care, companionship, love, and affection to surviving children
• Conscious pain and suffering endured by the deceased due to the final injury or illness; and
• Interest on the total  damages awarded, calculated from the date of your loved one’s death

You are not alone, speak with an attorney today about your next steps

Have you lost a loved one in an accident in Queens, New York?

We understand that no amount of money can bring your loved one back from a fatal personal injury. But we want to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Our team of wrongful death lawyers has over twenty-five years of experience fighting for families like yours and knows how to get you the most compensation possible to provide peace of mind and a measure of justice for your loss.

Call 212-268-3222 today or contact us online for a free consultation.

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