Every year in America, roughly 250,000 deaths arise from injuries, whether accidental or intentional. Such issues would need to be brought to court for determining the wrongful death of an individual and how far parties are liable for such a demise.
Experiencing a death is quite hard, especially when it has been caused by another’s negligence. Not only does the family now have to mourn the loss of the loved one, but they also have to deal with more financial strain brought about by funeral and hospital bills. A wrongful death claim can serve to help you in these circumstances.
This legal remedy allows families to seek recovery from different kinds of awards that enable them to lift part of the burden from their shoulders and offer some measure of justice. A wrongful death lawyer may help you recover fair compensation for your damages.
Let’s look into the different types of compensation available for your wrongful death claim.
Economic Damages: Medical Expenses and Funeral Costs
In wrongful death actions, economic damages are often one of the main categories used to cover the expenses. Such financial burdens can significantly impact you during an already distressing period.
According to personal injury law firm Berenson & Associates, PC, an individual will be able to receive damages for a wrongful death claim once it is proven that the defendant was liable for what happened.
It would be beneficial for you to track every medical expenditure and prescription that the deceased incurred during their last days of receiving care. Funeral expenses can get pricey, so you need to maintain careful documentation, from burial cost to service charge. Getting this knowledge will help you remember your loved ones and protect your financial future.
Seeking economic damages will relieve some of your stress so you can heal and gain strength from your community. You’re not alone in this, and getting compensated is a step to putting yourself together again.
Lost Wages: Compensation for Future Earnings
Wrongful death claims and how they influence future earnings are important to think about. There’s an understandable feeling of discomfort when one learns that their deceased loved ones will no longer contribute to the household income.
This loss would affect the basic needs that need to be provided for the person and for the family. Money would also be demanded in these kinds of claims for loss of wages as past or future salaries of the deceased or what he or she could have earned during the course of life based on the job path and any promotions or benefits he or she might have earned.
Knowing about this legal claim could help you plan your financial future.
Loss of Companionship and Emotional Distress
The death of someone can leave an emotional gap, which can be hard to fill most of the time. At times, the wrong death victims’ family members find themselves lonely and isolated.
The bereaved might be unable to connect with anyone or engage in enjoyable activities. With wrongful death claims, you may even sue for damages for such a loss. Wrongful death laws affirm that your pain must be recognized.
The law perceives companionship as a relationship going beyond presence. It is about life experiences together and unconditional love. These types of death claims facilitate emotional recovery and allow individuals to honor the relationships they shared with their loved ones.
Punitive Damages: Holding the Wrongdoer Accountable
Occasionally, after wrongful deaths, justice seems warranted, and dealing with the emotional loss is almost more a necessity than anything else. Punitive damages can be imposed when the defendant’s acts are somehow egregiously reckless with human life. This type of damage serves to hold the liable party accountable for their actions.
These damages are not simply compensatory but are actually rewarded. They seek to punish the wrongdoer and to discourage such conduct in the future. Pursuing punitive damages may be just another way of seeking justice for yourself and might also help you feel empowered.
Pursuing a punitive damage claim means that you are standing up against the wrong and affirming the life of your loved one.
Other Potential Compensation: Property Damage and More
Depending on the circumstances, victims of wrongful death may recover damages in addition to punitive damages. Such damages may include repair or replacement costs for the damage or destruction of personal property.
Funeral expenses can be included, along with medical expenses and lost wages. These expenses tend to pile up and grow to upsetting amounts. Gather all documents you can use for your claim.
A lawyer who has experience with wrongful death cases will carefully walk you through this tough process and make sure you get all the money you are owed. You don’t need to handle this by yourself.
