Wrongful Death Attorney in New York City
Legal Guidance After a Preventable Loss
Losing a family member unexpectedly is life-changing, and when you suspect that negligence played a role, the grief can be mixed with questions and doubt. You may be wondering whether you should talk to a lawyer, what New York law allows, and how to protect your family’s future. That is where our wrongful death attorney in New York City can help.
At Simonson Goodman Platzer PC, we represent families who have lost loved ones because of medical errors, unsafe construction conditions, serious crashes, and other preventable events. Our attorneys listen carefully to what happened, explain how New York wrongful death law applies, and work to hold negligent parties accountable while pursuing the financial recovery your family may need.
Turn to a wrongful death attorney in New York City for compassionate, results‑driven legal representation after a tragic loss. Call (800) 817-5029 or connect online.
Why Families Choose Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in New York City
When a case involves the death of a loved one, families often want more than a general personal injury firm. They look for attorneys who are prepared to handle complex facts, sensitive issues, and high‑stakes litigation. At Simonson Goodman Platzer PC, our practice is focused on matters where the details truly matter.
- Experience with complex cases: We concentrate on medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and serious negligence cases that involve intricate medical records, hospital policies, construction safety rules, and corporate decision‑making.
- Partner-level attention: Every wrongful death case receives direct involvement from experienced partners who have handled high‑risk matters.
- Recognition and resources: Our attorneys are recognized by peers and legal organizations for their work in medical malpractice and complex injury litigation. We invest significant resources in each case, including medical professionals, life‑care planners, and forensic analysis when needed.
- Trial-ready preparation: This level of preparation allows us to clearly explain what went wrong and why it should have been prevented, while signaling to insurers and institutions that we are prepared to take a case to trial if a fair resolution is not offered.
- Consistent communication and support: Families choose us for how we treat them day to day. We return calls and emails promptly, remain accessible throughout the life of the case, and provide honest guidance about timelines and the range of possible outcomes.
Our goal is to offer calm, steady support while handling the legal complexities, so families can focus on their own healing and their loved ones’ needs.
New York Wrongful Death Claims Explained
Many people visit this page because they are unsure whether what happened to their loved one qualifies as a wrongful death. In general, a wrongful death claim in New York involves a death caused by someone’s negligent or wrongful conduct, such as a medical provider, property owner, driver, or company. These cases are not about every tragic loss, but about deaths that the law views as potentially preventable if proper care or safety had been used.
New York has specific rules about who can bring a wrongful death claim. Typically, the personal representative of the estate files the claim on behalf of surviving family members. This person is often named in a will or appointed by the court. Our attorneys can explain how this works in the New York courts and help families understand who may have a role in the case.
The types of compensation that may be available in a wrongful death claim can include the financial support the deceased would likely have provided, certain medical and funeral expenses, and other legally recognized losses. The value of any individual case depends on many factors, such as age, earnings history, and circumstances of the death. We discuss these factors openly, so families have realistic expectations.
Time limits are another important part of New York wrongful death law. There are statutes of limitation that set deadlines for filing a claim, and these can be shorter when municipal hospitals or public authorities are involved. Because the correct deadline depends on the facts and the parties involved, we encourage families to speak with us as early as they feel ready, so potential rights are not lost through delay.
How Our Attorneys Support Your Family
Taking legal action after a death can feel overwhelming. Our role is to carry as much of that weight as possible so you do not feel like you are managing a lawsuit on top of grief and daily responsibilities. From the first conversation, we focus on listening. We gather the story in your own words, review available records, and identify what additional information will be needed to evaluate the case.
If we move forward together, our attorneys will handle the investigation, including obtaining medical records, accident reports, and employment or safety documents that may be relevant. We consult with medical professionals to help us understand where standards were not followed. We then work to build a clear narrative that explains how the negligence unfolded and how it affected your loved one and family.
Wrongful death cases typically move through several stages. After our investigation, we will file a complaint in the appropriate court. The case then proceeds through discovery, where both sides exchange information and take depositions. Throughout this process, we prepare as if the matter may go to trial, even though many cases are resolved through negotiated settlements.
When you work with our wrongful death lawyer in New York City, you can expect:
- Direct access to partners who know your case and return your calls and emails
- Clear explanations of each step before it happens, including court milestones
- Help gathering documents and preparing for events like depositions or meetings
- Regular updates so you are not left wondering about the status of your case
- Careful discussion of settlement offers without pressure to accept the first number
Our wrongful death attorney in New York City handles cases on a contingency fee, so our fee is tied to obtaining compensation for you.
What to Do After A Suspected Wrongful Death
In the days and weeks following a death, legal questions may feel secondary. That is understandable. Still, taking certain early steps can make it easier to understand what happened later, particularly in environments such as hospitals, construction sites, or traffic scenes.
Taking the following steps can help preserve important information:
- Preserve documents and records: Keep copies of any materials related to your loved one’s care or the incident, including discharge summaries, letters from providers, and insurance correspondence.
- Write down recollections: If you remember conversations with staff or witnesses, note dates, names, and what was said while details are still reasonably fresh.
- Be cautious with early contact: Families are sometimes contacted by insurance adjusters, risk managers, or representatives of hospitals or companies. You have the right to take time before signing releases or providing recorded statements.
- Understand your options before deciding: Reaching out for legal guidance does not commit you to filing a lawsuit. Many families simply want to understand whether the circumstances may involve negligence under New York law and what options may be available.
In a confidential consultation, the timeline of events can be reviewed, questions addressed, and possible next steps explained so informed decisions can be made.
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$1.8 Million $1,800,000 (Partial) Settlement (Kings County)
A 29-year-old married resident of Manhattan presents to the ER for various complaints. A CT scan is performed and shows a suspicious lesion in the kidney, but the hospital fails to advise the patient of the same and fails to send the CT scan report to the patient’s primary care doctor.
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$1.9 Million $1,975,000 Gastric Bypass Malpractice Settlement
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$1.7 Million $1.7 Million Jury Verdict
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$2 Million $2,000,000 Settlement (Middlesex County, NJ)
$2,000,000 settlement for a young 29-year-old New Jersey wife and mother who developed bleeding after giving birth to a stillborn.
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$4.5 Million $4.5 Million Dollar Settlement
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if we have a wrongful death case?
The best way to know is to speak with a wrongful death attorney in New York City who can review the facts. We look at what happened, what standards applied, and whether negligence likely caused the death. In a free consultation, we walk through your situation and offer candid guidance.
Who in my family can bring a wrongful death claim?
In New York, the personal representative of the estate typically files the claim on behalf of eligible family members. That person may be named in a will or appointed by a court. We explain how this works, help families understand everyone’s interests, and guide the representative through the process.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay upfront legal fees. Our fee is a percentage of any recovery, and if we do not obtain compensation, you do not owe a legal fee.
Will we have to go to court and testify?
Many wrongful death cases are resolved through negotiated settlements, but some proceed to trial when fair offers are not made. If your case requires testimony, we prepare you carefully and support you throughout. Our goal is to protect your interests while minimizing unnecessary stress.
How involved will your attorneys be in our case?
Our partners stay actively involved from the first meeting through resolution. You work directly with experienced attorneys, not just staff, and we remain reachable for questions and updates. We return calls and emails promptly and keep you informed.
Talk With Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in New York City
You do not have to sort through questions about negligence, New York law, and your family’s future on your own. Speaking with our attorneys is an opportunity to tell your loved one’s story, learn how the law may apply, and understand what options might be available, all in a confidential setting.
At Simonson Goodman Platzer PC, we represent families on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there are no upfront legal costs to start a wrongful death case. Our history of recovering compensation in 98% of cases and securing more than $200 million in verdicts and settlements reflects the experience we bring to every matter.
Our wrongful death attorney in New York City stands ready to take action and pursue justice on your behalf. Call (800) 817-5029 or contact us online today.
Client Testimonials
Hear What Our Clients Have to Say
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"Accommodating and Professional"The attorneys were kind, accommodating and professional. I couldn’t be happier with the settlement they achieved for me.Inbar V.
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"Totally Changed My Life"They have done an amazing job to win my case without even going to the court.Sezgin T.
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"Highly Recommend"Highly recommend!! I had the pleasure of working with Paul Simonson during the worst time of my life. He is knowledgeable, professional & he truly cares. When other attorneys turned down my case Mr. Simonson got results! I will be forever grateful.Dawn M.
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"I would highly recommend this firm."I would highly recommend this firm. Ted knows the law and did a great job.Dana
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"I Felt Comfortable and Supported"They were honest and clear about the process of bringing a lawsuit forward and managed my expectations.Nate G.
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"I Highly Recommend This Law Firm"Thank you, Mr. Goodman and Mr. Simonson very much for looking out for me and always having my best interest at heart!Naresh T.
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"The gratitude I feel towards them is immeasurable."Based on my experience with this firm, their name should be empathy, compassion and brilliance. Their kindness and attention to detail was second to none. I truly cannot say enough good things about Paul, Ted and this firm. The gratitude I feel towards them is immeasurable.Nic R.
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"There are no amount of words that can show how grateful I am for all they have done."Ted Goodman was amazing in the courtroom and eloquently argued my case. If I could give them 10 stars I would, they truly changed my life. There are no amount of words that can show how grateful I am for all they have done.Ashley W.