When a loved one dies due to the negligence or carelessness of another individual, surviving family members are faced with not only emotional trauma and pain but also financial hardships. By filing a wrongful death claim, families can recover compensation, also known as damages, for these financial losses with the help of a wrongful death attorney. These damages are meant to help restore the family to the financial position that they would have been in had the death not occurred.
What are Economic Damages?
There are three main types of damages – economic, non-economic, and punitive – that surviving family members may recover in a wrongful death claim. Punitive damages are more uncommon and are only awarded if the defendant’s behaviors and actions are particularly egregious, and non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for subjective and non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering.
Economic damages, on the other hand, are awarded to compensate for the monetary and tangible losses associated with the loss of a loved one. Given their tangibility, the value of economic losses can be reasonably assessed with relevant documentation and evidence.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are the first economic damage that might be awarded in a wrongful death claim. These expenses can accumulate quickly when a person is injured and receives medical care before succumbing to their injuries. Medical expenses may include hospital visits, medications, ambulances, doctor’s visits, surgeries, rehabilitation services, and more.
To ensure you receive the appropriate amount of compensation for these expenses, it is important to keep records of the costs that accumulated, such as by compiling receipts and medical bills.
Funeral and Burial Costs
Funeral and burial expenses are another significant financial burden that families often face after the unexpected loss of a loved one. The cost of a funeral can widely range, depending on the specific services chosen. The average for a traditional full-service burial in the United States is approximately $8,587. Being compensated for the costs associated with memorial services can help to alleviate some of the financial pressure during this difficult time.
Loss of Income
Another significant loss when it comes to the death of a loved one is the loss of income that the deceased would have provided to their family. This is particularly important and impactful to the surviving family members who were financially dependent on the deceased’s income, leaving a major gap in the household’s financial security. Fortunately, these wages and future lost income can likely be compensated if you file a wrongful death claim.
Loss of Benefits
One final type of economic damage in wrongful death claims is the loss of employment benefits that the deceased would have provided to their family over time. Some of the most common benefits include health insurance, retirement and pension plans, stock options and bonuses, vacation time, and sick time. In order to ensure that you continue to receive these benefits and secure a more financially stable future, you must file a wrongful death claim.
