To lose a family member is devastating; to lose a loved one prematurely is especially heartbreaking.

Death resulting from an avoidable harm, either by wrongful conduct or gross negligence, is called “wrongful death.” In legal terms, it is known as a preventable death. This means that if the responsible party had acted as a reasonable person under the same or similar circumstances, the death would not have occurred. In elder or nursing home abuse and neglect cases, it occurs when the elderly patient dies as a result of neglect, abuse or inadequate treatment or care.

We at York Law Firm understand your grief and offer our deepest condolences for your loss. We understand that wrongful death cases are the most tragic because the death of your loved one could have been avoided. Accordingly, we offer our legal expertise to help you cope with your loss and obtain justice.

In wrongful death cases resulting from gross negligence, the next of kin and the decedent’s estate may bring a civil action against the negligent actor to recover damages. “Next of kin” includes direct family members, such as the husband, wife, domestic partner, children, parents or siblings of the decedent. They can recover economic damages such as medical bills, funeral expenses and loss of income from the decedent, non-economic damages such as compensation for physical injuries and harms, as well as pain, emotional distress and mental anguish resulting from decedent’s wrongful death.