Losing someone you love suddenly and tragically is truly devastating. In these darkest of times, getting the answers you deserve and the justice your loved one merits can be difficult. At Richmond Vona, our Amherst personal injury lawyers have decades of combined experience helping families get the compensation they need after such a loss.
We know there is terrible sadness and a sense of unfairness that follows an untimely death, and we are here to ensure those responsible are held accountable. With our investigative resources, experience, and knowledge, our wrongful death lawyers in Amherst will tenaciously pursue maximum financial recovery on your behalf.
Wrongful Death: How An Experienced Amherst Attorney Can Help You Get Justice
After the sudden loss of a spouse, child, or other loved one, you face important financial decisions at a time when making them seems nearly impossible. Compensation can help pay for funeral costs, cover outstanding debts, replace lost income, and provide financial security for dependents left behind.
Your Amherst wrongful death attorney understands how to calculate values for each of these factors based on the specific circumstances and available evidence. We consider things like the decedent’s age, health, employment history, relationship to the beneficiaries, and more to determine a supportable amount.
Proving negligence or willful misconduct can be complex. An attorney can establish liability, showing that the defendant failed to meet their duty of care and that their choices or actions directly caused the death. We understand how to navigate conflicting expert opinions, analyze the relevant laws, and build an ironclad liability case.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Amherst, call (716) 300-5885
Damages You May Recover in a Wrongful Death Case in New York
Here are the main factors considered when calculating economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are meant to cover tangible losses including:
Lost Income
This includes the decedent’s wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, and other forms of income that the beneficiaries would have received if the person had lived out a normal life expectancy.
Lost Retirement Benefits
This includes any social security, pension, 401(k), IRA, or other retirement benefits the beneficiaries would have received.
Medical and Funeral Expenses
All direct out-of-pocket expenses related to the death and final arrangements.
Loss of Household Services
If the decedent provided household services like childcare, cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc., the value of replacement costs could be claimed.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify. Your Amherst wrongful death attorney can consult with economic planners and look at previously settled claims to estimate these amounts.
Loss of Companionship and Guidance
The value placed on the loss of the decedent’s love, affection, society, moral support, training, and guidance for spouse and children.
Mental Anguish and Grief
Compensation for the severe depression, despair, sorrow, and angst suffered by the beneficiaries.
Pain and Suffering
Courts may award damages for the physical pain and emotional suffering experienced by the decedent between the time of injury and death.
Loss of Consortium
The loss of intimacy, affection, and companionship suffered by a spouse due to the death of their partner.
Calculating economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim requires extensive knowledge of actuarial tables, work-life expectancies, and comparable case awards. Your attorney can determine an appropriate and supportable amount to seek- helping you get every dollar you deserve.
Our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Amherst understand how to maximize the settlement or jury award to meet your family’s needs now and in the future.
Amherst Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (716) 300-5885
When Should I File A Wrongful Death Claim in New York?
When pursuing a wrongful death case, time matters. There are statutes of limitations and deadlines for filing actions. A personal injury attorney can immediately begin investigating the incident, gathering evidence, and speaking with potential witnesses while memories and facts are still fresh.
This allows us to preserve crucial elements that support the strongest possible case and highest potential compensation. In New York, there is a 2-year time limit to file a wrongful death claim that begins on the date of death.
It’s best to reach out to a wrongful death lawyer in Amherst as soon as you possibly can to preserve your right to claim and avoid the loss of critical evidence.
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Contact a Wrongful Death Law Firm In Amherst for a Free Case Evaluation
Losing someone you love because of another’s negligence or recklessness leaves you with an empty place in your heart and a deep sense of unfairness. At times like these, it can offer some small comfort to know that a dedicated wrongful death attorney is fighting for justice and compensation on your behalf.
We will answer your questions with sensitivity, explaining the complicated legal processes in plain language to ease your burden. While pursuing justice and compensation is important, it does not lessen the pain of your loss.
Richmond Vona understands that the legal process exists to serve you, not the other way around. We offer guidance with sensitivity and answer all of your questions thoroughly. Our priority is to help you navigate this difficult time with dignity and fairness. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help in a free consultation.
When you’ve suffered the ultimate loss, let our team of Amherst wrongful death attorneys fight for the justice and compensation you need.
Call or text (716) 300-5885 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form