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 want to express my deepest appreciation to the firm “MAGGIANO, DiIGIROLAMO
& LIZZI P.C. and to Cristopher DiGirolamo, in particular, for professionally and timely manner. The most important result for me is the successful completion of the case.
I also wish to express my thanks to the paralegal Nirelly Echanique and to Katty, the nice lady at the front desk.
Without any hesitation, I would recommend your firm to others.
Many thanks for your fruitful work.
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.
Mr. Michael Maggiano is an outstanding attorney who uses his many years of experience and wisdom to put forth a solid representation of his client. In my particular case, Mr. Maggiano showed compassion, caring, and commitment in order to bring about a successful resolution involving a local municipality. My case seemed to be unique in that it’s not often that there is a successful pursuit of justice when a municipality is involved. I was lucky to find Mr. Maggiano through the recommendation of other outstanding attorneys, and he certainly measured up to every expectation. Mr. Maggiano’s thoroughness and drive to seek a justifiable agreement in my favor cannot be under-stated; he met with me and my husband day or night, weekend or weekday; he always gladly returned calls and emails promptly. The devotion Mr. Maggiano and his staff displayed to us made us feel that we were his sole priority; simply stated he makes you feel special. While being reassuring and kind, Mr. Maggiano leaves no stone unturned in his research, preparation, and presentation. His vast knowledge works to his client’s advantage, and he is revered by fellow attorneys and judges in New Jersey and New York.
In addition, the staff at Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi always represented the highest caliber of professionalism. Office staff, legal assistants, and the firm’s attorneys were always diligent while being respectful, polite, and caring. It is without hesitation that I give Mr. Maggiano my highest praise and recommendation.
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.
