The accidental death of a loved one carries a high toll, not just emotionally but financially. Depending on the accident, that toll may include healthcare costs on top of funeral and burial expenses. You’re also facing an uncertain future devoid of the income and support the deceased provided. None of this is normal; you would not be experiencing these struggles if the responsible party had behaved differently.
The team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. cannot replace the support, companionship, and income your loved one provided. However, a Fair Lawn wrongful death lawyer from our firm can support your claim, stay by your side, and fight for compensation to replace the financial losses you’ve sustained.
We Can Help You Regardless of How You Lost Your Loved One
A wrongful death suit can cover a number of accidental deaths, as long as they were due to negligence. A responsible party is considered negligent when they failed to do something that was reasonably expected of them. That failure then resulted in the accident that caused the fatality. Your wrongful death claim will hinge on demonstrating that negligence.
Some wrongful death accidents we cover are:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Premises liability
- Product defects
- Nursing home neglect
While these scenarios can differ greatly, the basic concept is the same: someone’s carelessness had dire consequences, and that carelessness makes them liable.
Verdicts and Settlements
$775,000 - Wrongful Death
For the wrongful death of car accident victim who died while being prepared for emergency surgery.
Who Is Eligible to File
Under New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:31-4, only certain people are entitled to damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. After the death of a loved one, the following people can file a claim:
- Surviving spouse
- Dependent children
- Other dependent relatives
Filing a wrongful death claim can become complicated for unmarried partners and other loved ones. Moreover, anyone claiming to be a dependent must have proof of their reliance on the decedent. In these situations, consulting a wrongful death attorney may help provide clarity in pursuing a claim.
When a Driver Is Responsible
Tragically, motor vehicle accidents are a common source of wrongful death claims. Negligence behind the wheel can take the form of:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield
- Traffic violations
- Drowsy driving
- Following too closely
- Aggressive driving
Police reports, video surveillance, photos, and witness statements can all bolster a wrongful death claim, providing a comprehensive portrait of the accident’s events. Our staff may also utilize expert analysis to lend additional authority to your claim.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident fatalities were almost 27 times higher than those involving cars in 2017, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Many of those were due to head injuries. Drivers who neglect to look out for motorcyclists can be held accountable for their oversight.
Pedestrian Accidents
While pedestrians are afforded the right-of-way in many instances, some drivers do not uphold that right, failing to yield or pay attention to people walking near roadways. Whether your loved one was killed by a drunk or distracted driver, rideshare operator, or traffic violation, you have a right to sue.
When a Truck Driver Is Responsible
When fatalities occur in collisions with semis and big rigs, the victims are usually the occupants of the smaller vehicle. While the size difference is one reason that this is the case, some other contributing factors to truck accident fatalities are:
- Underriding
- Road conditions
- Tailgating
- Driver fatigue
IIHS estimates that it can take 20 to 40 percent more distance for a large truck to come to a stop compared to a smaller vehicle. The stopping length requirements are even longer in poor or wet road conditions. A big rig operator tailgating the car in front of them can slam on the brakes, but it may not do any good. Drowsiness can be another contributing factor in truck crashes; many drivers ignore federal regulations for taking breaks.
Underride Crashes
When a smaller vehicle goes under a large truck, this is called an underride crash. These accidents can crush the top of the vehicle, often resulting in a fatality. Consult a Fair Lawn wrongful death lawyer to learn how to handle this specific form of wrongful death.
When a Property Owner Is Responsible
Premises liability is a blanket term for several types of accidents that occur on someone else’s property. These include:
- Slip and fall
- Lack of security
- Dog bite
- Defective equipment
All property owners owe visitors a duty of care—they must maintain the premises, so it is safe from falls, crime, animals, and other accidents. In simple terms, what happens on a property is the responsibility of the owner, and that includes incidents that cause wrongful death. If you suffered this kind of loss, contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. today for a free case evaluation: (201) 585-9111.
When a Nursing Home Is Responsible
The purpose of a nursing home is to provide care. Negligence is therefore unacceptable, directly contradicting why residents and family members chose the facility.
Nursing home wrongful death can be filed on the grounds of:
- Neglect
- Failure to detect illness
- Medication errors
- Abuse
The death of a nursing home resident due to oversight is heartbreaking. Call our office today to stand up for both your lost loved one and other residents who are owed a duty of care in the same facility.
I was one of those people who thought I would never sue anyone. That changed after I slipped and fell on a snow-covered hotel parking lot. I suffered a severe shoulder injury and it became apparent that I was not going to be compensated for my injury acting on my own. I live in Tennessee, so I was somewhat nervous about how I could coordinate with a legal team given the distance and the difference in time zones. I researched personal injury lawyers and was impressed with what I learned about the Maggiano law firm. I needed an attorney who had the knowledge, experience and reputation to represent me, but just as important was having an attorney who could relate to me and one who I could trust.
I knew after my first phone call with him that Mr. Maggiano was the attorney I wanted on my case. Mr. Maggiano brought in the right people to document and validate my situation which helped reinforce the facts of my injury. Everyone at the law firm was wonderful to work with! Linda Reid was a great source of information and support. I was very pleased with the settlement, and I know I would not have gotten this level of compensation without Mr. Maggiano and his team representing me. He definitely deserves a five star rating.
In my Book Chris gets 10+ stars. An Incredibly Talented Attorney. I cannot begin to express my sincere appreciation for all that Chris DiGirolamo has done for me. He took on a most challenging Title59 Immunity Case, against all odds. He always leveled with me as to the complex nature of the case, but with a positive and professional attitude. He was aided in this case, by a fantastic Paralegal, Marisol Suarez. Marisol made a difficult time much easier with her courtesy, humor, and always being responsive. Chris made you feel at all times that he was fighting for you as he would fight for a member of his family. It would not be a trite statement to say that watching him prepare my case was like watching a Maestro conduct a Philharmonic Orchestra. He always kept you informed as to the latest developments in a case that took 3 1/2 years to settle. Chris was able to achieve a settlement that both of us were happy with especially considering the very complex set of circumstances. Simply put, Chris is an Incredible Attorney who is empathetic yet tough and most important ” A Good Guy.”
I cannot express how grateful and pleased I am to have had Christopher DiGirolamo and his paralegal Christine Carrino represent me in connection with my personal injury action.
What had happened to me was an event that was about to completely change my life.
Initially I was unable to go to the offices of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi because of my injuries. I had been hit by a motor vehicle while walking in a crosswalk. Christopher came to me. He offered not only expert legal advice but helped significantly with other things like obtaining police reports, how to handle telephone calls, photographing the scene and even advice about warding off “adjusters” who came knocking on my door. Most importantly, Christopher listened. His compassion, knowledge and understanding cannot be overstated.
I, as a lawyer with medical knowledge who needed a lawyer, would consider myself to be somewhat of a challenging client. Christopher took all this in stride and was fearless in offering guidance and advice when I was having difficulty looking at things objectively. Christopher allayed my anxieties and made me feel better each and every time we spoke. He put things in perspective for me while at the same time, not sugar coating the difficult days ahead that were in store for me, both physically and throughout the legal proceedings. Christopher asked me about my preferences and my choices. He was always interested in my ideas and my point of view. Christopher balanced my convictions with his undeniable objectivity and expertise.
Throughout the protracted course of discovery and pre-trial conferences, Christopher went out of his way to communicate with me and keep me informed. When Christopher was in court we engaged in many real time texting sessions. He respected my decisions about strategy and was constant in upholding his integrity. With Christopher’s tenacity and wit, the case was ultimately resolved without trial.
Christopher and the law firm of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. made every effort to accommodate me in whatever way they could. I offer my thanks and gratitude.
Get Justice for Your Loved One
At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C., we want you to know you have a right to pursue damages following the tragic death of a loved one. In fact, under New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:31-3, you have two years from the date of death to file your claim.
Call our office today at (201) 585-9111 for your free case review and learn the tools a Fair Lawn wrongful death lawyer can use to seek justice for your beloved family member.
