When someone dies suddenly, their loved ones may struggle for some time. It can be difficult to accept the loss and even harder to adjust to life after it. Family members may have intense emotional reactions. They also typically have many practical issues to address.
Every member of a household contributes to its management, and the family has to absorb the tasks performed by the deceased individual. They also have to find ways to cover end-of-life care costs. Additionally, the family has to consider the impact of losing a family member’s income when they die. A successful lawsuit can result in financial compensation from those responsible for a loss caused by negligence or intentional conduct.
What types of damages can people recoup by pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit?
Economic losses
Economic or compensatory damages are often the top priority in a wrongful death lawsuit. Families determine what expenses they incur and what resources they lose because of the tragedy. They can hold the person or business responsible for the tragedy accountable for the financial implications of their loved one dying. Medical and funeral expenses, as well as lost wages, can contribute to compensatory damages.
Non-economic damages
Family members can also seek compensation for losses that don’t technically have a set economic value. The loss of their loved one’s companionship in the future is one type of non-economic damages that people can seek to recover in a wrongful death lawsuit. Families may need help determining how much compensation to request for their non-economic damages after a tragedy.
Punitive or exemplary damages
In particularly egregious scenarios, the courts may award surviving family members punitive damages. Also called exemplary damages, punitive damages are a form of punishment. They are a means of holding the party at fault accountable for their actions.
Seeking the maximum amount of compensation possible in a wrongful death lawsuit can be beneficial for families. This course of action can generate consequences for the party that caused the tragedy while limiting their long-term economic setbacks. Those who have help planning a wrongful death lawsuit can better understand their rights – and how to exercise them effectively – as they pursue litigation after a tragedy.
