Coronavirus Mistreatment of a Corpse in New York

The COVID-19 outbreak has overwhelmed many funeral homes. But no matter the circumstance, your loved one is entitled to dignity and respect. Mistreatment of a corpse in any form is wrong, and potentially grounds for a lawsuit.

There are numerous forms of corpse mistreatment funeral homes may be culpable for. Notably, a Brooklyn mortuary stored dozens of corpses in unrefrigerated U-Haul trucks. The bodies caused an “overwhelming” stench that lingered for weeks.

Other examples of corpse mistreatment include:

• Abuse of a corpse
• Improper disposal of a body
• Dropping a corpse during transport
• Burying the wrong body or burying a body in the wrong plot
• Stealing items such as jewelry
• Stealing organs

Between coping with the loss of a loved one and making expensive arrangements, you have a lot on your plate. It’s the job of the funeral home to treat your loved one’s remains with care. Not only is a failure to do so unjust, it may cause serious harm to you.

Generally, establishing that a funeral home was negligent requires demonstrating four criteria:

• Duty: The funeral home owed a duty of care to treat the decedent in a reasonable manner and avoid harming their remains.
• Breach: The funeral home breached their responsibility.
• Cause: The breach directly caused you harm.
• Losses: You endured losses as a result, whether financial, emotional, or otherwise.

The loss of a loved one is difficult under any condition. If a funeral home failed to provide reasonable care for your loved one’s remains, contact our New York attorneys. You could be entitled to compensation for your hardship.

Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.