We were disappointed to hear that Governor Hochul recently vetoed The New York Grieving Families Act, a bill that would have provided support and assistance to families who have lost a loved one as the result of medical malpractice or a personal injury. The veto of this important legislation is a setback for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and it is a step backwards in the effort to hold those responsible for medical malpractice and personal injury accountable.
The New York Grieving Families Act would have provided several key benefits for families affected by medical malpractice and personal injury. For example, the law would have required that health care providers offer bereavement services to families who have lost a loved one, including access to counseling and support groups. This would have been an important step forward in helping families cope with their loss and move forward with their lives.
In addition, the law would have expanded the statute of limitations for medical malpractice and personal injury claims, giving families more time to bring a claim if they have lost a loved one due to medical malpractice or a personal injury. This change would have been a critical step in overcoming one of the biggest obstacles faced by families who are seeking to hold those responsible for their loved one’s death accountable.
Finally, The New York Grieving Families Act would have also created a new cause of action for wrongful death, allowing families to bring a separate claim for the wrongful death of a loved one. This new cause of action would have provided families with the opportunity to seek justice and compensation for their loss, and would have helped to ensure that those responsible for a loved one’s death are held accountable.
At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, we believe that families who have lost a loved one as the result of medical malpractice or a personal injury deserve support and justice. We are disappointed that Governor Hochul vetoed The New York Grieving Families Act, and we will continue to fight for the rights of families affected by medical malpractice and personal injury. If you have lost a loved one as the result of medical malpractice or a personal injury, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Together, we can help families affected by medical malpractice and personal injury receive the support and justice they deserve, even in the face of setbacks like the veto of The New York Grieving Families Act.