As too many families across the country know, a tragic act of gun violence has an immeasurable impact on survivors and their loved ones. But under New York law, only the economic impact is considered in awarding damages for wrongful death.
47 states allow survivors to recover compensation for emotional anguish and non-economic damages—but not New York.
New York's Grieving Families Act would bring our state into line with the rest of the nation to ensure that New Yorkers have equal access to compensation and justice. This bill passed the legislature—now it needs Governor Hochul's signature before the end of this year.
Tell Governor Hochul to sign this legislation into law >>
Dear Governor Hochul,
As a New Yorker, I urge you to sign the Grieving Families Act (S74A/A6770) into law.
This bill would modernize New York law and permit the families of victims killed by others' wrongful conduct to recover compensation for their emotional anguish and other non-economic damages. Under current New York law, when a child, senior or other low-income loved one is shot and killed and seeks justice, the damages awarded in court reflect their earnings at the time of their death—reducing people's lives to the paychecks they contribute to the family budget.
This policy also limits the potential legal liability for bad actors in the gun industry, a fact that perversely disincentivizes them from changing their behavior to ensure they are in compliance with New York's strong new laws.
47 states allow survivors to recover compensation for emotional and non-economic damages in wrongful death lawsuits. It's time New York joined the rest of the country in doing so.
I urge you to stand with victims of gun violence by ensuring they have fair access to compensation for the wrongful deaths of their loved ones by signing New York's Grieving Families Act (S74A/A6770) into law before the end of the year.
Thank you.