Types of Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

When someone is negligent in their behavior or job, and it results in the death of your loved one, you deserve to fight for compensation. Of course, nothing can bring your loved one back, but you shouldn’t have to suffer all the financial setbacks of another person’s actions. If you’re planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit with a wrongful death attorney, like from David & Philpot, P.L., against someone whose actions led to the death of your family member, you might wonder what types of damages you can seek.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that are easy to quantify and verify. They are financial losses that arise out of the death of your loved one. It’s important you hang on to all bills, medical statements and other financial statements so you have them as proof you are financially suffering. You can also get a statement from the deceased’s former employer to show what wages he or she supplied the family. Some of those economic damages could include:

  • Funeral and Burial Expenses – Whether your loved one had end-of-life plans or not, you are probably going to have expenses related to the burial and funeral.
  • Lost Wages – If your loved one’s income played a role in the everyday living of the family, you may be entitled to recover lost wages. This is generally calculated by taking some things into consideration, such as the age of the deceased, his or her earning capacity, the needs of his or her dependents, and other similar factors.
  • Medical Costs – If your loved one was injured and received medical care before succumbing to his or her injuries, you might have medical costs to cover as well.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are losses that are not financial, though you may be able to get a financial payout for them. This could include:

  • Loss of companionship or consortium
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of nurturing
  • Desolation and emotional stress

Punitive Damages

Though punitive damages are not awarded in every case, sometimes a judge will award them as a way to punish the guilty party further. For example, if someone was drinking and driving, which resulted in an accident that killed your loved one, the judge might have the defendant pay a certain amount to you and your family. This would punish the defendant, but would also drive a point home to the general public that such behaviors are not tolerated.

Hiring a Lawyer

If you’re planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it might benefit you to get the assistance of a lawyer. Contact a wrongful death attorney today to get started.