Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Have Been Recovered for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Victims
Losing a loved one is a devastating, life-altering event. When that loss is sudden, violent, and caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s a profound injustice. In a city as busy and crowded as Jersey City, a single moment of carelessness—by a construction company, a driver, or a landlord—can shatter a family’s world.
The team at The Killino Firm has spent decades standing up for families across the nation. We know this kind of community, from the high-rises to the historic neighborhoods. We understand the unique dangers of living and working in areas such as Jersey City. Our job is to be your family’s voice, to find out what happened, and to fight for the justice you deserve.
This is a guide for families in Jersey City. For a complete overview of the state’s laws, our main New Jersey wrongful death information guide is a great resource. You can find it here: https://www.killinofirm.com/wrongful-death-lawyer/new-jersey.
Jersey City is one of the most densely populated cities in the state. The dangers here are unique. They are not about rural highways or industrial parks; they are about people, construction, and traffic, all competing for space.
In Jersey City, many people walk, bike, or use public transit. This makes them extremely vulnerable to negligent drivers. A serious accident caused by negligence can result in devastating injuries or even wrongful death. Wrongful death claims often arise when someone’s death is caused by negligence or accidents, such as car crashes or unsafe conditions.
Consulting our wrongful death lawyers can provide families with the local expertise needed to navigate these complex cases and pursue justice after a fatal accident.
The “boom” in Jersey City means the skyline is a forest of cranes. But with all that construction comes extreme danger. Workplace accidents are a common cause of wrongful death in construction settings.
In a city of renters and high-rises, landlords and building owners have a legal duty to keep their property safe.
If your family is considering legal action in a premises liability case, consulting our team of personal injury attorneys is important to ensure your rights are protected and your case is handled properly.
Proving a wrongful death claim in New Jersey requires showing that another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act directly caused your loved one’s death. To succeed, surviving family members must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased, that this duty was breached, and that the breach led to the fatal outcome. This process often involves gathering crucial evidence, such as medical records that document the cause of death, and witness statements that shed light on what happened.
Our experienced wrongful death attorneys will help you build a strong case by working with experts who can explain how the defendant’s actions—or failure to act—resulted in the loss of your loved one. In New Jersey, the standard of proof for a wrongful death case is a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it must be more likely than not that the defendant’s conduct caused the death. With the guidance of our skilled wrongful death lawyers, your family can navigate this complex process and ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.
It’s important to understand the difference between a criminal case and a wrongful death lawsuit. A criminal case is brought by the state to punish someone for breaking the law, such as in cases of homicide or manslaughter. In contrast, a wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action filed by surviving family members seeking financial compensation for their loss. These two proceedings are entirely separate—meaning a wrongful death claim can move forward regardless of whether a criminal case is filed or what its outcome may be.
In New Jersey, even if the person responsible for your loved one’s death is not convicted in criminal court, you can still pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to hold them accountable in civil court. The focus of a wrongful death claim is to help family members recover damages for their emotional and financial losses, not to impose criminal penalties. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys can help you understand your legal options and guide you through both processes if necessary.
When a wrongful death claim arises in Jersey City, insurance companies are often the first to get involved. Their primary goal is to settle the claim quickly and for as little as possible, which can leave surviving family members without the financial support they truly need. Insurance adjusters may reach out soon after the incident, offering a settlement that might not cover all medical bills, lost income, or the true value of your loss. Compensation in wrongful death settlements should also include lost wages, which are a key component meant to address the income the victim would have earned during their incapacity and before their passing.
This is why having our knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers on your side is so important. An experienced wrongful death attorney understands how insurance companies operate and will fight to ensure your family receives fair compensation. Your lawyer will gather crucial evidence—such as medical records, witness statements, and documentation of medical bills—to build a strong wrongful death lawsuit. Our team at The Killino Firm will handle all negotiations with the insurance company, making sure your rights are protected under New Jersey law. With the right legal support, your family can focus on healing while our attorneys work to secure the compensation you deserve.
A successful wrongful death case in Jersey City begins with a thorough investigation. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys will leave no stone unturned, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to uncover exactly what led to the fatal accident. This process often involves working with experts—such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals—who can help clarify how another’s negligence caused the victim’s death.
By carefully reviewing medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income, your wrongful death lawyer can accurately calculate the financial impact on surviving family members. The investigation also helps establish liability by proving the party’s negligence, which is essential for recovering compensation in a wrongful death claim. In complex cases, such as those involving multiple parties or unclear circumstances, a detailed investigation can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful outcome. With dedicated wrongful death attorneys on your side, your family can trust that every detail will be examined to support your case.
Building a strong wrongful death case starts with gathering the right evidence. This includes collecting medical records that detail the cause and circumstances of your loved one’s death, as well as obtaining police reports and witness statements that can clarify what happened. Our experienced wrongful death lawyers will also work to secure physical evidence, such as photographs or videos from the scene, and may consult with experts in fields like medicine, engineering, or accident reconstruction to strengthen your case.
In some situations, it may be necessary to interview additional witnesses or hire investigators to uncover new information. The goal is to create a clear and convincing picture of how another’s negligence led to your family’s loss. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys will guide surviving family members through every step of this process, ensuring that all necessary evidence is preserved and presented effectively to support your wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death cases in New Jersey can be emotionally and legally challenging for surviving family members. In addition to coping with loss, families often face significant emotional and financial challenges after a wrongful death, making the legal process even more overwhelming. One of the biggest hurdles is proving negligence—demonstrating that another party’s careless actions directly caused your loved one’s death. This often requires gathering strong evidence and expert testimony, which can be difficult for families to do on their own. Additionally, New Jersey law does not allow survivors to recover for emotional distress or mental suffering in a wrongful death case, which can make the process even more challenging for grieving families.
Another common challenge is dealing with insurance companies that may try to deny or minimize your wrongful death claim. Navigating these negotiations without legal help can result in unfair settlements that don’t reflect the true value of your loss. Additionally, New Jersey’s strict statute of limitations means families must act quickly to protect their rights. The amount of compensation awarded in a wrongful death case depends on factors such as the deceased’s age, earning potential, and the family’s emotional and financial impact. If a settlement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to trial in New Jersey courts. By working with our experienced wrongful death attorneys, families can overcome these obstacles, ensure their claim is documented correctly, and pursue fair compensation for their loss.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company or the responsible party, your wrongful death case may proceed to trial. During a trial, our wrongful death attorneys will present evidence and arguments to a judge or jury, demonstrating how the defendant’s actions caused your loved one’s death and why your family deserves compensation. The defense will also have the opportunity to present its side, and the judge or jury will ultimately decide the outcome based on the evidence and New Jersey law.
While the thought of going to trial can be overwhelming for surviving family members, having an experienced wrongful death attorney by your side can make all the difference. Our lawyers will handle every aspect of the litigation, from preparing legal documents to presenting expert testimony, so you can focus on your family’s healing. In New Jersey, most wrongful death lawsuits are resolved through settlement, but our legal team will be fully prepared to take your case to court if that’s what it takes to secure justice and fair compensation for your loss.
The landscape of wrongful death law in New Jersey is constantly evolving, and recent changes can have a significant impact on your case. For example, updates to New Jersey law have expanded the definition of which family members are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, allowing more loved ones to seek justice. There have also been adjustments to the statute of limitations in certain situations, giving families additional time to file a claim when circumstances warrant. Our knowledgeable law firm stays up to date on changes to Jersey’s Wrongful Death Act to best serve clients and ensure their rights are protected.
Understanding Jersey’s Wrongful Death Act is crucial for both law firms and clients to ensure claims are handled properly. Wrongful death lawyers stay informed about these legal developments to provide the most effective representation for their clients. By keeping up with the latest changes in wrongful death law, our attorneys can ensure your case is handled according to current standards and that your family’s rights are fully protected. If you are considering a wrongful death lawsuit, working with our compassionate and knowledgeable lawyers is the best way to navigate the legal system and recover the compensation your family deserves.
This is the most important rule in all of New Jersey law. You have only two years from the date your loved one passed away to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you wait, your right to seek justice is gone forever. Fatalities linked to government agencies, such as NJ Transit or a state hospital, fall under the far stricter rules of the New Jersey Tort Claims Act.
It is crucial to act quickly within this timeframe to pursue compensation for your loss. This is not a suggestion; it’s a hard deadline. Our attorneys can ensure the claim is filed correctly and on time within the two-year statute of limitations in New Jersey. Our main New Jersey wrongful death guide explains this law in more detail.
In New Jersey, the law says the person filing a wrongful death lawsuit must be the “Personal Representative” of the deceased person’s estate. This is the “executor” named in your loved one’s will. If there was no will, it is not a problem. Our team will go with you to the Hudson County Surrogate’s Court (in Jersey City) to have a court appoint a close family member as the “administrator.” The executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate must file the wrongful death claim on behalf of the eligible dependents. The deceased person’s estate is responsible for initiating certain claims, such as survivor actions. Compensation from survival actions is awarded to the victim’s estate and distributed according to estate laws. The deceased’s estate may also be involved in managing settlement proceeds or distributing damages according to the will or state law.
We know that no amount of money can replace your loved one. A lawsuit is about getting justice and providing financial stability for your family’s future. The law allows a family to recover “pecuniary” (financial) losses. These include economic damages such as medical bills, funeral costs, lost household services, and other tangible financial losses. Compensation in wrongful death claims in New Jersey is typically limited to economic damages, such as medical expenses and funeral costs. Only certain individuals can file a wrongful death suit in New Jersey, including the executor of the deceased’s estate, the surviving spouse, and the victim’s family—such as immediate family members like spouses, children, and parents. Families have the legal right to recover damages for these losses through a wrongful death suit. The goal of the lawsuit is to help surviving family members recover compensation for both financial and emotional losses. Wrongful death compensation typically covers economic damages, loss of support, and, in some cases, punitive damages, providing a comprehensive remedy for the family’s loss. This is a separate claim from a “Survival Action.” Survival claims are brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering incurred before death. The victim’s estate plays a central role in survival claims, as any damages awarded are directed to the estate and distributed according to law. Negotiating a fair settlement with insurance companies or defendants is crucial to ensure your family receives just compensation. Securing financial compensation is essential for your family’s future stability and care. In New Jersey, emotional distress is generally not compensable in wrongful death cases unless a survivor witnessed the incident and suffered severe trauma, which may entitle them to a separate claim. For a full breakdown of these two claims, you can read more about this law on our main New Jersey wrongful death guide.
First, never believe the company’s story. They are protecting themselves. Our team would immediately investigate to see if they violated any OSHA safety rules. Was he provided with the correct safety harness? Was the scaffolding built correctly? Was he “struck by” a piece of equipment from another company? These are the real questions.
Not necessarily. This is a heartbreaking and common problem. We would first see if your own family auto insurance policy has “Underinsured Motorist” (UIM) coverage. This is insurance you paid for to protect you from this exact situation. It can make a huge difference. There are also other avenues we can investigate.
We would start an immediate investigation. We would hire our own fire (origin and cause) experts to find the real cause. Was it faulty electrical wiring that the landlord knew about? Were the smoke detectors working? Were the fire escapes blocked? If the landlord’s negligence was the cause, they are responsible.
You don’t have to. That’s our job. We will get the complete medical records (which can be thousands of pages) and have our team of independent, board-certified medical experts review it, line by line, to see if the “standard of care” was broken.
Yes. This is very common. Our team will guide you through the simple process at the Hudson County Surrogate’s Court to have a close family member (like a spouse or adult child) appointed as the “administrator” of the estate.
Most cases (over 90%) are settled before going to a full trial. We prepare every single case as if it is going to trial. This is how we get the best settlement offers from the insurance companies. They know we are ready and willing to fight.
It costs nothing to start. Our team at The Killino Firm works on a contingency fee. We pay for all the upfront costs. We only get paid if we win a financial recovery for your family. The consultation is always free.
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