Damages You May Collect In A Wrongful Death Lawsuit

When your loved one dies in an accident caused by another person's negligence, your loved one isn't the only one who suffers. The family members and relatives of the deceased also various losses and damages, and they should be compensated for these losses as part of a wrongful death claim. Here are some of the damages or losses usually included in wrongful death claims:

Funeral Costs

This is one of the most obvious damages since you wouldn't have had any funeral without your loved one's demise. Therefore, you should be compensated for the costs incurred in giving your loved one's a sendoff. In some cases, you may be able to get the compensation upfront and use it for the funeral instead of using your funds and waiting for compensation. This is handy if you don't have the funds to pay for the funeral costs.

Survivors Pain and Suffering

Getting pain and suffering compensation may not be easy depending on the circumstances of your loved one death. Your odds of getting the compensation increases if your loved one didn't die immediately or if you witnessed the accident. For example, observing a drunk driver knocks over your child is a traumatic experience that no parent should ever go through; in the unfortunate event that you experience such a thing, you need to be compensated for it.

Loss of Future Earnings

Loss of future earnings usually presents the biggest portion of the wrongful death claim. This is understandable given that if your loved one dies, you lose all the money they may have contributed to your life from the time of their accidental death to the time of their natural death. The calculation is based on several factors including the age of the deceased, their level of earnings at the time of their demise, and their wages at the time of their demise.

Permanent Loss of Consortium

Lastly, you also need to be compensated for the loss of companionship you definitely have after losing a loved one. Again, this is a permanent loss; the finality of death means an orphan will never experience the love and guidance of their dead parent again and a spouse cannot count on the intimacy and companionship of a deceased partner.

As you can see, a wrongful death claim has numerous components. If you are struggling with the death of a loved one at the negligent hands of another person, consult a wrongful death attorney to help you get compensation for all the damages. Visit http://josephbwolfley.com for more information. 


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