The Grieving Families Act: Update New York’s Law
By Bryan Schneider | MidHudson Injury Law
It’s time to modernize the wrongful death law in New York. Last week, the State Senate once again passed the Grieving Families Act—a bipartisan bill that aims to bring this outdated element of our legal system into the 21st century. For the fourth consecutive year, lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to update the state’s 1847 wrongful death statute to give families the right to seek damages for emotional grief and anguish endured by survivors of those who died as a result of negligence.
Why New York Needs This Reform
Right now, New York and Alabama are the only two states that still refuse to recognize surviving family members’ emotional loss in wrongful death cases. That means parents who lose a child or spouses who lose a partner are told their pain doesn’t count—unless their loved one brought home a paycheck. That’s not justice. That’s a broken system clinging to archaic values.
The Grieving Families Act vs. New York’s Outdated Wrongful Death Law
The Grieving Families Act (S.4423/A.6063) would align New York with 48 other states. It would finally allow courts to compensate families for emotional grief, anguish, and loss of companionship—real harms that deserve recognition under the law.
- Bruce McIntyre, whose partner Amber Rose Isaac died during childbirth due to medical negligence, still waits for a meeting with the Governor.
- Jaida Rivera, who lost her son after exposure to harmful content online, wants tech companies held accountable.
- Yanely Henriquez, whose daughter was a victim of gun violence, demands that the law acknowledge her family’s grief.
These families speak for thousands more who have been dismissed for too long.
A Legal System That Values Human Life
As a personal injury attorney, I’ve seen how this outdated law denies families justice. Under current rules, if the person who dies isn’t a wage earner, the courts assign little to no value to their life. That’s unacceptable.
We must modernize the wrongful death law to affirm that emotional loss matters. Grief matters. People matter—and their worth must be measured as much more than income.
Governor Hochul: The Time Is Now
The Legislature has passed the Grieving Families Act four times with strong bipartisan support. Governor Hochul has vetoed it before—but this year must be different.
The public is watching. Families are waiting. New York must no longer be the state that adds legal insult to emotional injury. Let’s not force more grieving families to suffer in silence.
We call on Governor Hochul to act. Modernize the wrongful death law. Sign the Grieving Families Act into law.
Talk to a Legal Advocate
If you’ve lost a loved one and want to understand how this bill could affect your case, contact MidHudson Injury Law for a free consultation. We’re here to help you seek the justice your family deserves.