Reviewed by Mazie Slater’s specialized wrongful death attorney [David A. Mazie – Managing Partner of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman]

The sudden, unexpected death of a loved one is devastating under any circumstances. When that death is caused by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, the grief is compounded by anger and a profound sense of injustice. At Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, our New Jersey wrongful death lawyers are some of the best in the state. We understand the overwhelming emotional and financial challenges you’re facing, and we’re here to help you seek justice and secure the compensation your family deserves.

Our wrongful death attorneys have recovered tens of millions of dollars in successful settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of the estates and families of wrongful death victims across New Jersey. With more than a billion dollars in total recoveries, we have the experience, resources, and determination to take on the most complex wrongful death cases involving medical malpractice, car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, worksite accidents, personal injury, and more.

Examples of some of the lawsuits our team of wrongful death lawyers hashave handled are:

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of wrongful death in New Jersey. Specifically, in 2024, the New Jersey State Police recorded 685 fatalities in car accidents across the state. With our state’s high traffic volume and complex roadway systems, fatal car accidents occur with tragic frequency. Our car accident wrongful death lawyers have extensive experience handling cases involving:

Our car accident attorneys specialize in wrongful death lawsuits and understand the complexities of investigating fatal car accidents, including accident reconstruction, analysis of traffic patterns, and examination of vehicle data recorders. We will build compelling cases that hold negligent drivers and their insurance companies fully accountable.

Medical errors are a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with approximately 15% of all medical malpractice cases involving a wrongful death. When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, the consequences can be fatal. Our medical malpractice wrongful death attorneys have secured record-breaking verdicts and settlements in cases involving:

Medical malpractice wrongful death cases require extensive medical knowledge and the ability to work with leading medical experts. Our wrongful death laywers have been recognized multiple times as Medical Malpractice Law Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal, and we have a proven track record to take on hospitals, doctors, and their insurance companies.

Under New Jersey law, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. The death must be one that would have allowed the deceased to pursue a personal injury claim had they survived. New Jersey’s wrongful death statute allows families to seek both economic and non-economic damages.

To succeed in a New Jersey wrongful death lawsuit, our attorneys must prove four key elements:

A wrongful death claim is used when a representative of the decedent’s estate files the suit on behalf of the surviving family. A representative of the decedent’s estate could be: a wrongful death lawyer, surviving spouse, a child of the deceased, a parent of the deceased, or another dependant. The suit is filed against the party whose negligent actions caused the death. The surviving family members must be able to establish two things to successfully win this kind of lawsuit:

In New Jersey, there are two common types of claims made in wrongful death cases.

A traditional wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the deceased’s surviving family members. In New Jersey, damages may include:

A survival action in a wrongful death case allows the estate to recover damages that the deceased could have claimed if they had lived. These may include:

Economic damages compensate for quantifiable financial losses resulting from your loved one’s death. These include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and the present value of lost income and benefits your loved one would have provided throughout their expected working life. We also calculate the value of household services and childcare that have been lost, as well as any property damaged in the incident that caused the death.

Non-economic damages address the intangible but profound losses that cannot be easily quantified. These include the loss of companionship, love, and emotional support that your loved one provided, as well as the guidance, training, and care they would have given to children and family members. Unlike some states, New Jersey does not cap non-economic damages in cases of accidental death, allowing for fair compensation based on the unique circumstances of each family’s loss.

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as drunk driving or intentional harm, punitive damages may be available through a survival action. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

A wrongful death attorney in New Jersey can be crucial for several reasons if you are dealing with the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions. Here are some key reasons why you might need an aggressive wrongful death attorney:

Legal Expertise and Experience

Wrongful death cases involve complex legal issues that require extensive knowledge of New Jersey statutes, case law, and procedural requirements. Our attorneys are experts in wrongful death cases and have decades of experience handling these sensitive cases, and understand how to build strong legal arguments that maximize your recovery.

Thorough Investigation and Expert Resources

Successful wrongful death cases require a comprehensive investigation and often depend on expert testimony. We work with leading medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, economists, and other experts to build compelling cases that establish liability and prove the full extent of your losses.

Skilled Negotiation and Trial Experience

Insurance companies and defendants often try to minimize payouts in wrongful death cases. Our attorneys are some of the top wrongful death attorneys in New Jersey, and we know how to deal with insurance tactics. Additionally, we are always prepared to take cases to trial when necessary to secure fair compensation.

Emotional Support During Difficult Times

We understand that pursuing a wrongful death claim while grieving can be overwhelming. Our compassionate wrongful legal team handles all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on healing while we fight for the justice your family deserves.

Hiring a wrongful death attorney in New Jersey can provide you with the expertise, support, and representation needed to navigate a challenging and emotional legal process. We can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for your loss.

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences. When someone else’s negligence causes that loss, you shouldn’t have to face the legal complexities alone. Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman has some of the best wrongful death attorneys in the state of New Jersey, and we are here to help you through this difficult time while fighting to secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. Don’t let critical evidence disappear or important deadlines pass. Contact us today to learn how we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and win your wrongful death case.