New York's outdated wrongful death laws leave grieving families in the dark

NEW YORK (PIX11) – It was one of those calls that changed everything for Shauntae Singletary.

"After the passing of my sister, I feel like this is a nightmare I wish I could wake up from," she recalled two years later.

Her sister Laqueeneia died during an emergency C-section.

Shauntae immediately began raising baby Alicia, who survived.

"I  made sure that I was going to put the best effort I could to make sure my niece was safe, cared for, and loved, and it changed my life," Singletary said.

Over time, grief turned to determination-- and a quest for justice.  It is in that point Singletary found out about New York's wrongful death laws.

They have not been updated since 1847, which makes things difficult for Singletary and countless others like her.

"These are tragic deaths that can be prevented and have not been prevented," said Maria Morano, Singletary's attorney with Sanocki Newman & Turret.

She is suing Mount Sinai over Laqueeneia's death-- alleging her life could have been saved.  Mount Sinai said in a brief statement it does not comment on litigation.

Morano explained that New York's current laws are extremely limiting in who can sue for damages-- and when it comes time to pay, New York Courts value the lives of high-income earners as opposed to Seniors, Children, or stay-at-home moms like Laqueeneia.

She also argues because hospitals know they will not have to pay up for mistreating people who literally look like Singletary-- it is one of the reasons so many black and brown women keep dying in childbirth.

Advocates say a piece of legislation called the Grieving Families Act would solve these problems.

"It's only New York and Alabama that do not have a law like this in place," Morano said.

However, despite passing in Albany with a high level of bipartisan support, Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed different versions of the bill for the past two years-- saying it could raise the cost of insurance for everyone.

This year, she is deciding whether to sign a third version of the bill, which has been narrowed to address her concerns.

Speaking a few days ago, the Governor still seemed uncertain:

"It's still being looked at as we speak," Hochul said.

The Governor has until Monday to decide, or grieving families will automatically become law.