Governor Vetoes Grieving Families Act Sides with Insurance

Governor Chooses Insurance Companies Over Constituents in Vetoing of Grieving Families Act

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 17:43:17 +0000

In a curious decision, Governor Kathy Hochul used her veto pen to strike down the Grieving Families Act (GFA). This decision is a boon for the state’s powerful insurance sector, as the act would have allowed grieving spouses, children, and other surviving family members to obtain compensation based on their actual grief and anguish rather than the deceased’s income. New York is one of only two states in the entire country that do not protect this fundamental right. To say we are disappointed would be a gross understatement. Read more here.

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Let’s Make the Grieving Families Act Happen

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 21:48:29 +0000

The Grieving Families Act, awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature, would bring New York’s wrongful death statute into the 21st century and make sure families of all types are compensated for tragic losses. We encourage you to contact the governor and request that she sign this crucial piece of legislation.

Read more on how to make the Grieving Families Act happen here.

The post Let’s Make the Grieving Families Act Happen appeared first on Campbell & Associates.

Support the Grieving Families Act

admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 20:28:07 +0000

Out-of-date legislation helps insurance companies, not families

New York’s current law allows family members of a wrongful death victim to recover only their economic loss and an amount for the victim’s pain and suffering, if any. Therefore, if the victim was elderly and retired or too young to be working yet, there is arguably no economic loss to the victims. Furthermore, if the victim was killed instantly, for example, by a speeding drunk driver, there was arguably no pain and suffering.

Thus, under the current law, the father, mother, son or daughter of a cherished family member who is tragically killed by the negligence of another, may be entitled to absolutely no damages, zero, nada. Insurance companies benefit from and are fighting to keep this patently unfair system in place.

The Grieving Families Act – Senate Bill S74A – is based on the equality of humankind. This legislative effort proposes adding the right to seek compensation for the emotional loss of companionship, love and support, all of which cost nothing but are worth everything to loved ones.

Updated wrongful death statutes are already at work in 41 other states. New York is one of the few which has yet to include damages for emotional loss associated with grief.

Make a difference – support legislation change

Write your Senator and Assemblymember to request their support of the Grieving Families Act. Communicating your stance on amending wrongful death laws may help bring the New York statutes up to date, creating a more compassionate legal system for every family.

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Drunk Driving May Be One of Many Factors In a Fatal Car Accident

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 05:00:00 +0000

New York prosecutors assert that a pickup truck driver was likely legally intoxicated when his vehicle collided with a limousine and have charged him accordingly. However, the accident may be more complicated than claims of a drunk driver causing a car accident. The preliminary evidence regarding the crash implies that the driver of the limousine may have contributed to it.

Reportedly, the limo was attempting to make a U-turn when the pickup slammed into it. According to a witness, when the limo began its turn, it did so directly into the path of the pickup. The limo driver reportedly said that he did not see the pickup truck when he initiated the turn.

At the time of the crash, police did not suspect the limo driver of being impaired, and tests apparently confirmed that fact. A U-turn was not illegal at that location, but since limousines need extra space in order to turn, they can block more than one lane of travel to complete the turn. Limo drivers have been cited for making improper U-turns under these circumstances. Four of the eight women in the limo died in the accident, and the others suffered unknown injuries.

Even though drunk driving might be a factor in this car accident, the limo driver may also bear some responsibility for the accident. Any wrongful death or personal injury claims filed in the aftermath of this tragedy would most likely include the limo driver and the company for which he works. If it is established that one or more parties caused or contributed to the deaths and other injuries suffered, a New York court may award damages to the families of the deceased victims and the surviving victims.

The post Drunk Driving May Be One of Many Factors In a Fatal Car Accident appeared first on Campbell & Associates.