New York, N.Y. (June 12, 2023) - On Wednesday, June 6, 2023, the New York State Senate passed the Amended Grieving Families Act (A6698). The bill will now be sent to Governor Hochul for signature or veto.
It is unclear whether the amended bill will alleviate the governor's concerns that prompted her to veto the original version in January of this year. The amended version would increase the statute of limitations from two to three years after the decedent's death, and allow "surviving close family member(s)" to recover. A jury would determine who is considered "close," "based on the specific circumstances relating to the person's relationship with the decedent." The amended Act would also allow for the recovery of damages for grief or anguish.
The Act would take effect immediately and apply to all cases wherein the cause of action accrued on or after July 1, 2018.
If this bill is signed by Governor Hochul, Lewis Brisbois' New York attorneys will conduct a webinar within 72 hours exploring its impact on the legal system. In the meantime, if you would like more information on the Amended Grieving Families Act, please contact any of the attorneys listed below.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
