Advocates for people with disabilities and consumer organizations on Tuesday made a final push to have Gov. Kathy Hochul sign a measure meant to expand New York's wrongful death law.
The measure is one of the final and closely watched bills Hochul is yet to sign, and has been opposed by organizations who have sought tort reform as well as local government groups and organizations that represent the medical community.
Under the proposal, New York's wrongful death statute would be expanded to include emotional anguish.
On Tuesday, groups including the New York Public Interest Research Group, the Center for Independence of the Disabled and Consumers for Auto Safety & Reliability backed the measure in a letter to Hochul.
“Each year New Yorkers are killed by drunk drivers, medical negligence, defective products, dangerous roadway conditions, and countless other acts and omissions," they wrote in the letter. "New York’s antiquated wrongful death law fails to value the suffering and grief felt by survivors, nor recognize the loss of companionship, comfort and guidance provided by that wrongfully killed person. This denies survivors a full measure of justice, devaluing the lives of children, seniors, and other loved ones who would not produce substantial income. As a result wrongdoers are not held fully accountable for the lives they have taken. The law also bars from the courthouse close non-traditional family members who suffer when a loved one’s life is wrongfully taken.”
The letter comes as Hochul is also being urged to veto the bill by groups like the Lawsuit Reform Alliance, the Business Council of New York and the New York Farm Bureau as well as local government organizations who are concerned the measure would boost insurance premiums.