Protect DWI Victim Rights in New York

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) needs your help to fix a New York law written in 1847 that hinders the rights of victims to obtain justice following a DWI crash. MADD needs your help to call on the Governor to sign into law the Grieving Families Act.

What is the Grieving Families Act? A6698 by Assemblywoman Weinstein and S6636 by Senator Hoyman-Sigal was enacted this week by state lawmakers and allows courts to consider emotional loss and grief when compensating bereaved close family members who have lost a loved one due to negligence. Under New York’s outdated law, an award for wrongful death is limited to compensation for economic loss only, effectively telling close family members that the love, companionship, and guidance our loved one once provided, count for nothing.

48 states have amended their wrongful death laws to include emotional loss, yet New York remains tethered to anachronistic language written in 1847. New York’s current law limits the ability for Victims to seek justice following a DWI crash where a loved one is killed. The Grieving Families Act remedies this law and gives DWI victims another avenue to seek justice.

On this page, please email Governor Hochul today!

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As a supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, I urge you to sign into law the Grieving Families Act (A6698/S6636). The legislation will update and expand our antiquated wrongful death laws and make sure that the worth of loved family members is no longer based solely on their value as wage earners.

Our outdated laws fail to recognize that tragic loss doesn’t exclusively deal a financial blow, but an emotional blow as well. While no law can bring a family member back to life, it is important that New York’s wrongful death law recognizes the loss of companionship and comfort that family member once provided.

The pain and suffering following an impaired driving crash is not measurable. This bill ensures justice for victims of DWI as it allows courts to consider emotional loss and grief when compensating bereaved close family members who have lost a loved one due to negligence.

Currently, New York is one of nine states that allows an award for wrongful death limited to compensation for economic loss only, effectively telling close family members that the love, companionship, and guidance our loved one once provided, count for nothing.

The Grieving Families Act makes New York the 49th state to ensure more justice for victims of wrongful deaths—such as impaired driving. Please advance the Grieving Families Act.

Sincerely,

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