Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is a heartbreaking experience that no family should have to endure. While nothing can undo your loss, a wrongful death claim can help hold the responsible party accountable and provide financial stability for those left behind.
Since 1938, Trantolo & Trantolo’s Valley Stream personal injury lawyers have fought for individuals and families whose lives were forever changed by preventable tragedies. If you’re looking for a Valley Stream wrongful death attorney, our team is ready to listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the justice your loved one deserves.
Call us today to get started with a free case review.
Our Valley Stream Wrongful Death Lawyers Know How to Get Justice
When you trust Trantolo & Trantolo with your wrongful death claim, you can expect experienced guidance and compassionate support from beginning to end. Our Long Island wrongful death attorneys handle the legal process, protect your interests, and pursue the compensation your family deserves so you can focus on what matters most during this difficult time.
Personalized Legal Support
Every family we represent is assigned a dedicated legal team that remains by their side throughout the case. You’ll always know who to contact when questions arise, and we’ll keep you informed about important developments every step of the way. Our team is available 24/7 because we understand that concerns don’t always come up during business hours.
While you spend time with your family and begin moving forward, we’ll handle the paperwork, communicate with the insurance company, and manage the legal details needed to keep your case on track.
Comprehensive Case Building
Creating a strong case means investigating the cause of your loved one’s passing. We gather evidence to determine how your loved one’s death occurred. With this information, we establish how the at-fault party’s negligent, careless, or willful actions caused your loved one’s passing. Evidence we may use includes:
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Accident reconstruction
- Photos and videos of the scene
- Medical records
You deserve to know how this happened. Our job is to find those answers and use them to build the strongest case we can for your family.
Skilled Advocacy
Insurance companies often try to minimize wrongful death claims, especially when substantial compensation is at stake. Our attorneys know how to respond to those tactics and negotiate from a position of strength. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for the outcome your family deserves.
Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis
You should never have to worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer after losing a loved one. That’s why we handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing upfront. We only recover attorney’s fees if we recover compensation for your family.
Representing Families in All Types of Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death claims often begin with a single question: How did this happen? The answer is different in every case, but when negligence played a role, families have the right to pursue justice. Our firm can help your family with many types of claims, including:
- Car accidents: More than 1,000 people pass away in traffic accidents across New York State every year. We know how to negotiate with auto insurance carriers to secure just compensation for your family’s losses.
- Truck accidents: In 2024, there were 1,817 large truck crashes in Nassau County, seven of which were fatal. These collisions are often the result of negligence by trucking companies. Our attorneys know how to fight for justice against transportation giants and their insurers.
- Motorcycle accidents: At Trantolo & Trantolo, many of our attorneys ride, so we understand the unique difficulties motorcyclists face. If your loved one passed in a motorcycle collision due to another person’s negligence, we will help you seek fair compensation.
- Pedestrian accidents: Fatal pedestrian collisions are on the rise on Long Island, with more than 35 pedestrian deaths in 2025 alone. We hold distracted, careless, and reckless drivers accountable for these types of accidents.
- Bicycle accidents: Bicycle crashes in Nassau County have increased every year since 2020. Trantolo & Trantolo represents the families of victims of bicycle and e-bike collisions on Long Island.
- Dog bites: When a dog attack occurs due to the owner or keeper’s careless or negligent behavior, they could be liable for resulting losses. Our personal injury lawyers on Long Island have recovered millions on behalf of dog bite victims and their families.
- Nursing home negligence: The New York State Department of Health received nearly 4,000 reports of nursing home resident abuse, mistreatment, or neglect in 2024. We seek justice on behalf of injured nursing home residents and their loved ones.
- Slip and falls: Property owners and businesses who fail to fix hazards on their premises can be liable for slips, trips, and falls that occur as a result. We make sure the responsible parties pay for their negligence.
No matter how your family’s loss occurred, you deserve answers and an advocate who will stand up for your interests. If someone else’s negligence took your loved one from you, Trantolo & Trantolo is ready to help you understand your options and pursue the justice your family deserves. Reach out today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Pursuing the Full Compensation Your Family Deserves
No amount of compensation can replace the loss of a loved one. A wrongful death claim can, however, provide financial stability and hold the responsible party accountable for the harm they caused. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we work to recover the full compensation available under New York law while guiding families through every step of the legal process.
Under New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law § 5-4.1, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This individual is often named in the decedent’s will, but if there is no will, the court can appoint a representative to act on behalf of the estate. Our attorneys help families understand who can bring a claim and what to expect throughout the process. Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses related to your loved one’s final injury or illness
- Funeral and burial or cremation expenses
- Lost income and financial support your loved one would have provided
- The value of future financial contributions to the family
Under EPT § 5-4.3, compensation recovered through a wrongful death claim is generally limited to the pecuniary injuries suffered by the decedent’s distributees. Any recovery becomes part of the estate and is distributed according to the decedent’s will or, if there is no will, under New York’s intestacy laws. We help families navigate this process and work to protect their interests from the beginning of the claim through its resolution.
Every wrongful death case is unique, and so is every family we represent. Our attorneys take the time to understand the full impact of your loss and fight for the compensation your family deserves. We invite you to explore some of our past case results to see how we’ve helped injury victims and their loved ones pursue justice.
Contact Us Today for Assistance With Your Valley Stream Wrongful Death Claim
We know this is one of the most difficult moments your family will ever face. When you’re ready to explore your legal options, the team at Trantolo & Trantolo will be here to listen, answer your questions, and help you decide what comes next. Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation with a Valley Stream wrongful death attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Valley Stream, NY?
Wrongful death lawsuits in New York typically have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of death. However, the deadline varies depending on the circumstances of your loved one’s passing. Ensure prompt and timely filing by contacting a Long Island wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys will do the necessary work to keep your case on track.
How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take?
Every wrongful death case is different, so there is no set timeline. Some claims are resolved through settlement in a matter of months, while others take longer if the facts are disputed, multiple parties are involved, or litigation becomes necessary.
Although we understand that families want answers as quickly as possible, we never recommend accepting a settlement that does not fully reflect the losses your family has suffered. Our team works efficiently to move your case forward while taking the time to build the strongest claim possible. Throughout the process, we keep you informed, answer your questions, and handle the legal work so you can focus on your family.
Who Receives a Wrongful Death Settlement in New York?
A wrongful death settlement or award is distributed to the victim’s estate. The probate judge must approve fair distribution based on the decedent’s will and New York EPT § 4-1.1. Typically, estate distributions are made to the following parties:
- The decedent’s surviving spouse
- The decedent’s surviving children
- The decedent’s surviving parents, if there are no surviving spouse or children
- The decedent’s surviving siblings, if no surviving spouse, children, or parents
- The decedent’s surviving grandparents, if no surviving spouse, children, parents, or siblings
The laws governing property distribution are complex, so you benefit from speaking with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Reach out to Trantolo & Trantolo today for a free legal consultation.
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