Suffolk County

Suffolk County Wrongful Death Lawyers

Over $350 million recovered since 1957. Our Hicksville office serves Suffolk County clients, and we travel to meet clients across the county when it is easier for them.

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Wrongful Death cases in Suffolk County

Fatal Suffolk cases come disproportionately from the highways — Sunrise, the LIE east of Exit 57, Route 27 — and from construction falls and fires. The claim cannot be brought by the family directly: a personal representative has to be appointed by the Suffolk County Surrogate's Court in Riverhead, while the two-year deadline in EPTL § 5-4.1 runs from the date of death regardless of how long that takes.

Where a town, a village, a school district, Suffolk County Transit or the county itself is a defendant, a Notice of Claim is normally due within 90 days. New York compensates the survivors' economic loss rather than their grief, which is why the earnings history and the household work the person did become part of the evidence.

What the law requires

Two claims run together.

The deadline to know

The deadline is two years from the date of death, one year shorter than an ordinary injury claim, and 90 days for a Notice of Claim where a public entity is involved.

  1. 01

    The wrongful death claim under EPTL 5-4.1 compensates the distributees for pecuniary loss —

    lost support, lost parental guidance, funeral and medical costs — and, unusually, not for the family's grief itself. The survival claim covers what the person endured between injury and death.

  2. 02

    Both must be brought by the personal representative of the estate, so an estate has to be opened in Surrogate's Court first; we handle that.

Verdicts and settlements

Recoveries obtained by this firm

  • $7,500,000

    Verdict for wrongful death, against landlord, caused by fire that spread through apartment that was without smoke detectors.

  • $780,000

    Wrongful death of a homeowner who fell from the ladder owned by a chimney company.

  • $450,000

    For his client who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle while she was running across a roadway.

All results

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and the result in any case depends on its own facts.

Why clients call us

What you get from this firm

  • A partner works on your case directly — you are not handed to an associate
  • A firm that has handled wrongful death cases in Suffolk County since 1957
  • Free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we win
  • Home and hospital visits if you cannot travel
  • Cases handled in English and Spanish
  • Open 24 hours — call when it happens, not when the office opens

Questions about wrongful death cases in Suffolk County

Not answered here? A lawyer will answer it, free and at any hour.

Ask us directly
Which court would my case be in?
Suffolk County cases are filed in the Supreme Court at 1 Court Street, Riverhead. Claims against the County, a town such as Islip, Brookhaven, Huntington or Babylon, a village, a school district or Suffolk County Transit require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front. The consultation is free and the fee comes out of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee.
How soon should I call?
As soon as you can. Deadlines aside, the evidence in these cases has a short life — camera footage is overwritten, vehicles are repaired, sites are cleaned up and records age out. Early work is what makes the difference.

In their words

What our clients say

5.0 from 90 Google reviews
★★★★★
No complaints at all. Everything went according to what they said and I’m thankful for their representation.
M M
★★★★★
If there was more than 5 stars Seth Fields and his associates would get them all. Mr. FIelds went to trial with a jury in Suffolk Cty Riverhead Supreme Ct & won w/ a verdict in minutes for 100% Liability. The defense worked with Mr. FIelds in a settlement before the damages trial began. I would stop here searching any further & contact Seth Fields if you want a Smart, Attainable for your questions, concerns, Empathetic to your needs but a Bull Dog with your case, then you found your attorney.I can’t thank you enough for all your long hours, weekends, holidays that you put into 7 yrs of all my medical, motions, hearings & trial etc. WE WON! You did it and obtained a large settlement that I couldn’t be more happy after this long tough journey. I would refer everyone to you that has a case that needs fighting for. 🙏
Kristen Parker
★★★★★
The most amazing, professional and knowledgeable with great communicators with injury law, and I highly recommend that there is no reason for second and third opinions on procuring a law firm with their experience and know how. They are second to none. My time was precious, and they respected every minute of it. Thank you!
Robert Hendy

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Nearby

Also in Suffolk County

All injury cases in Suffolk County

Other areas we serve

Wrongful Death lawyers in other areas

How wrongful death cases work in New York

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