As lawyers who have served tri-state New York/New Jersey/Connecticut families for decades, and as parents and children ourselves, we understand and empathize with the immense difficulty of losing a loved one before their time. We also appreciate that hiring a lawyer can feel like the furthest thing from your mind while you cope with an unexpected loss. Take the steps below if you can, but take care of yourselves and your loved ones first.
Keep everything, for now. The death of a loved one can come as a shock. Grieving family members may not have any idea how or why it happened, or what factors in their loved one’s life may have led to it. For that reason, we always encourage families not to purge any of their loved one’s belongings—especially wrecked vehicles, medications, online/social media accounts, documents, and unopened mail—until they have first consulted our experienced Bronx wrongful death injury attorneys. We appreciate how a loved one’s belongings can evoke painful memories, but those same belongings may also hold the key to holding someone financially (and even criminally) accountable for your loved one’s death.
Follow procedure, but also exercise caution, with insurance companies. If your loved one had life insurance or other insurance coverage that may apply to your circumstances, you may have deadlines for notifying the insurance carrier. Be sure to follow them, and seek legal help if you have questions about what you need to do.
At the same time, be careful. Never say anything to any insurance representative that suggests your loved one bore the blame for causing the accident or incident that led to fatal injuries. Likewise, never get into an extended conversation with someone else’s insurance company about the facts and circumstances of your loved one’s death. Refer any insurance company to your attorney.
Contact an experienced Bronx wrongful death attorney at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP. A loved one’s tragic passing because of someone else’s wrongful actions creates important legal rights. Trust our compassionate Bronx wrongful death attorneys to evaluate and pursue those rights on your behalf.