LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Friday, June 03, 2022

Wrongful Death Victim's Families Will Soon be able to Recover for Mental Anguish in NYS

Both Houses of the NYS Congress have passed A06770, which will permit families (including non-married couples) of wrongful death victims to recover compensation for emotional anguish immediately on their lawsuits, even on pending cases, once it is signed by the Governor. 

This is a game changer for victim's families because current law in NYS, which is 170 years old, is very limited where only economical losses (pecuniary loss) is currently recoverable. 

With this change, attributes of our family members that we most value - emotional support, love, companionship, advice and guidance - will count and be part of how a loss is compensated in the court system.

It will no longer be cheaper to kill someone than to seriously injure them in our State. We need this signed immediately by the Governor.