Ridgewood Wrongful Death Lawyer

The death of someone you love changes everything in an instant. When that death happens because someone else was careless, a drunk driver, a negligent property owner, or a doctor who made a preventable mistake, the grief hits differently. You are not just mourning, you are angry. You want answers, and you deserve accountability.

At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we handle the legal fight so you can focus on your family. We know the bills are piling up. We know you’re worried about the mortgage, the funeral costs, and how to move forward without your loved one’s income.

That is why we work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win. Our Ridgewood wrongful death attorneys are available 24/7, and we serve families in English, Spanish, Greek, French Creole, and Korean.

Under New York law, you generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Once that window closes, your right to seek justice disappears forever. The insurance companies know this, and they’re already working to protect their interests. You need someone fighting just as hard for yours.

Lost a Loved One in Ridgewood? We’re Here to Fight for Justice

When someone else’s carelessness kills your loved one, the pain is more than just grief; it’s about getting justice, holding people accountable, and protecting your family’s future. We at Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers know that no amount of money can bring back the person you lost. We can still help you hold the person responsible accountable and secure the funds your family needs.

Our Ridgewood wrongful death lawyers are always available, as tragedy doesn’t happen during business hours. We speak English, Spanish, Greek, French Creole, and Korean and offer free consultations. We promise to advocate for your family without adding any additional financial stress during this difficult time. You don’t have to pay us anything unless we win your case.

The clock is ticking on your legal rights. In New York, families have only two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim; waiting can permanently forfeit their chance for justice.

Do You Have a Valid Wrongful Death Case in New York?

A wrongful death case exists when someone dies because of another person’s or a company’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. The key is to prove that the death could have been prevented if the responsible party had exercised reasonable care.

Every day, wrongful death situations include fatal car accidents caused by drunk or distracted drivers, medical malpractice that leads to death, deadly falls on unsafe properties, and workplace accidents caused by safety violations. Even if criminal charges are never filed, you may still have a strong civil wrongful death case.

The legal standard for wrongful death is different from criminal cases. While criminal prosecutors must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” wrongful death cases use a lower standard called preponderance of the evidence. Meaning it’s more likely than not that negligence caused the death.

Who Has the Legal Right to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In New York, individual family members cannot file wrongful death lawsuits directly. Only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate has the authority to bring the claim on behalf of all eligible beneficiaries.

The personal representative is either the executor named in the deceased’s will or an administrator appointed by the Surrogate’s Court if there is no will. This person serves as the legal voice for the entire family and must be formally appointed before any lawsuit can be filed.

• Eligible beneficiaries: Surviving spouse, children, parents, and sometimes other dependents.
• Court oversight: The Surrogate’s Court supervises the appointment process and ensures proper representation.
• Unified approach: Having one representative prevents conflicting claims and ensures a coordinated legal strategy.

If you’re unsure about estate administration or who should serve as the personal representative, our Ridgewood wrongful death attorneys guide families through the Surrogate’s Court process while building the wrongful death case.

What Compensation Can Your Family Recover?

New York’s wrongful death law focuses on compensating families for their actual financial losses, known as pecuniary damages. The goal is to replace the economic support and services the deceased would have provided throughout their expected lifetime.

Your family may recover compensation for lost income and benefits your loved one would have earned, the value of household services they provided, medical expenses from their final illness or injury, and reasonable funeral and burial costs. For families with minor children, you can also seek damages for the loss of parental guidance and care.

Unlike some states, New York doesn’t allow recovery for the family’s grief, emotional pain, or mental anguish. The law strictly limits damages to measurable financial losses, so having an experienced attorney accurately calculate them is crucial to maximizing your recovery.

Understanding Survival Actions vs. Wrongful Death Claims

A survival action is a separate legal claim that can be filed alongside your wrongful death case. While wrongful death compensates the family for their losses, a survival action seeks damages for what the deceased person suffered before dying.

If your loved one was conscious and experienced pain, suffering, or fear between the time of injury and death, the estate can pursue compensation for those damages. This might include physical pain from injuries, emotional distress from knowing they were dying, or medical expenses they incurred.

• Survival action: Belongs to the deceased’s estate and follows the will’s distribution.
• Wrongful death claim: Goes directly to statutory beneficiaries regardless of the will.
• Different purposes: One compensates the victim, the other compensates the family.

Both claims can be pursued simultaneously, but they serve different legal purposes and have different beneficiaries.

New York’s Strict Time Limits for Wrongful Death Cases

In New York, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death, not the date of the accident. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation forever, with very few exceptions allowed by the courts.

Government entities have even shorter deadlines that can trap unprepared families. Claims against New York City, the MTA, or other municipal agencies require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident that caused the death.

Defendant Type	Notice Requirement	Filing Deadline
Private parties	None	2 years from death
NYC agencies	90-day Notice of Claim	1 year and 90 days
New York State	90-day Notice of Claim	2 years in Court of Claims

These deadlines are absolute. Courts rarely grant extensions, even for families dealing with grief or unaware of their legal rights. Early action protects your family’s claim and preserves crucial evidence.

Suing Government Entities for Wrongful Death

You can sue government agencies like New York City, the MTA, public hospitals, or school districts for wrongful death, but the process is much more complex than private lawsuits. Government defendants have special legal protections that make these cases challenging.

The 90-day Notice of Claim requirement is strictly enforced. This formal document must include specific details about the incident, the negligent acts, and the damages claimed. Filing this notice incorrectly or late typically results in dismissal of the case.

Common government wrongful death cases include dangerous subway platform conditions, unsafe city-owned properties, negligent emergency medical services, and accidents involving city vehicles. Our Ridgewood wrongful death attorneys have experience navigating the complex procedures required for government claims.

Can You Still Sue if Your Loved One Shared Some Fault?

New York’s pure comparative negligence law allows wrongful death claims even when the deceased person bears partial responsibility for the accident. Your family’s compensation is reduced by your loved one’s percentage of fault, but the claim isn’t automatically barred.

For example, if your loved one was jaywalking when struck by a speeding, distracted driver, they might be found 30% at fault while the driver bears 70% responsibility. Your family would recover 70% of the total damages, rather than nothing.

Insurance companies and defense attorneys often try to shift excessive blame to the deceased person to reduce their liability. Having skilled legal representation protects your family from unfair fault allocation and ensures an accurate assessment of responsibility.

Fatal Workplace Accidents: Beyond Workers’ Compensation

When someone dies in a work-related accident, the family typically receives workers’ compensation death benefits. However, these benefits are often inadequate, and you may have additional legal options against third parties who contributed to the fatal incident.

Third-party wrongful death claims can be filed against general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or other companies whose negligence caused the workplace death. These claims aren’t subject to workers’ compensation restrictions and can yield much larger recoveries.

• Workers’ comp death benefits: Limited statutory amounts paid by the employer’s insurance.
• Third-party wrongful death: Full damages against negligent non-employers.
• Dual recovery: Both claims can often be pursued simultaneously.

Our attorneys investigate every workplace death to identify all potentially liable parties and maximize your family’s total recovery.

What Happens When You Hire Our Wrongful Death Attorneys

When you hire Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we handle everything legal so you can focus on your family and recovery. Our methodical approach ensures every detail is covered and your case is set up for the best chance of success.

We begin collecting evidence immediately to prevent loss or destruction. Accident scenes change, witnesses move away, and essential documents are discarded. Our investigators photograph scenes, interview witnesses, and secure crucial records while memories are fresh.

Simultaneously, we help navigate the estate administration process at the Queens County Surrogate’s Court, ensuring proper legal representation is established quickly. We coordinate with estate attorneys when needed and handle all court filings and deadlines.

Our team engages leading experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economists who calculate your family’s lifetime financial losses. These experts provide compelling testimony that insurance companies and juries respect.

Immediate Steps to Protect Your Family’s Legal Rights

Taking the right actions in the days following a wrongful death can significantly impact the success of your case. While grieving families shouldn’t have to worry about legal technicalities, a few key steps help preserve your rights and strengthen your claim.

Secure Important Documents and Evidence

Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate and gather any medical records from your loved one’s final treatment. Keep all accident-related documents, photos, and personal belongings in a safe place.

Avoid Insurance Company Contacts

Don’t provide recorded statements to any insurance companies representing the at-fault party. They’re trained to use your words against your claim, even when you’re grieving and not thinking clearly.

Document Your Losses

Start keeping records of funeral expenses, lost household income, and other financial impacts. This documentation becomes crucial for calculating your family’s total damages.

Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney Immediately

The sooner you have legal representation, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence. Every day that passes makes building a strong case more difficult.

Why Choose Grigor Law for Your Ridgewood Wrongful Death Case

When your family’s financial security depends on the outcome of a wrongful death case, you need attorneys with a proven track record of success and genuine compassion for grieving families. Chrissy Grigoropoulos has built her reputation on fierce courtroom advocacy and unwavering dedication to client service.

Deep Local Roots and Expertise

Our firm’s deep roots in the Ridgewood community provide us with essential local experience. We understand the local courts, judges, and legal procedures in Queens County. We have successfully handled wrongful death cases throughout Queens and know how to navigate the complex New York legal system effectively.

Unwavering Client Support

We are committed to providing maximum support during your most difficult time. This includes 24/7 availability because family emergencies do not follow business hours. We offer multilingual service with full legal support in Spanish, Greek, French Creole, and Korean.

Fee Structure and Results

We operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Our hundreds of five-star client reviews reflect our commitment to treating every family with dignity, respect, and the aggressive advocacy they deserve.

The True Cost of Hiring a Wrongful Death Attorney

You don’t have to pay anything up front to hire Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers. We only get paid if we win compensation for your family in a wrongful death case. This is called a “contingency fee.”

We pay all case-related costs up front, including expert witness fees, court costs, investigative costs, and obtaining medical records. You don’t have to pay us anything if we don’t win your case. Not for our time, not for our costs, nothing.

This arrangement allows grieving families to access top-quality legal representation without worrying about legal bills during an already difficult financial time. It also ensures we’re fully invested in achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

Contact Our Ridgewood Wrongful Death Lawyers Today

You don’t have to face this devastating loss alone. Our experienced Ridgewood wrongful death attorneys are ready to fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves while you focus on healing and rebuilding your lives.

Every day that passes makes building a strong wrongful death case more challenging. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and crucial deadlines approach. While each case is unique, understanding the typical personal injury settlement ranges can help you evaluate any offers you receive. Don’t let time work against your family’s interests.

Call Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers now for your free, confidential consultation. We’ll explain your legal rights, answer your questions, and help you understand the next steps for holding the responsible party accountable. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Wrongful Death FAQs

Do We Need Court Approval Before Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Yes, the Surrogate’s Court must formally appoint a personal representative before any wrongful death lawsuit can be filed. We help families navigate this process efficiently while we investigate the case.

Should We Wait for Criminal Charges to Be Filed Before Taking Legal Action?

No, criminal and civil cases proceed independently with different deadlines and standards of proof. Waiting for criminal proceedings could cause you to miss your civil filing deadline entirely.

Can We Sue New York City if Our Loved One Died in a Municipal Accident?

Yes, but you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident and follow strict procedural requirements. Government claims are complex and require immediate legal attention.