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Have you ever suffered the tragic loss of a close person due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful act? While losing a family member due to an inexplicable act is heart-wrenching, it can also leave grieving families feeling helpless and alone in their search for justice.

Fortunately, there are ways to seek closure by pursuing a wrongful death claim. Filing such legal action provides surviving family members with more than peace of mind; it also offers financial security during difficult times.

This article explores the three damages awarded when pursuing a wrong death claim. From economic damages to punitive damages, let’s learn more about wrongful death claims to get the justice and closure you and your family deserve.

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1.Economic Damages

The purpose of economic damages is to compensate the bereaved family members for any monetary losses they may have incurred due to the death of their loved ones. This damage is awarded to return some money to the deceased’s estate.

These can include:

• Medical expenses: Includes any medical bills related to the deceased person’s injury or illness leading up to their death.
• Funeral and burial expenses: This will compensate for the costs of arranging and carrying out the funeral and burial services.
• Loss of income: Compensation for the income the deceased person would have earned throughout their remaining working years. This can include wages, benefits, bonuses, and potential future earnings.

2.Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are designed to compensate the surviving family members for losses that cannot be quantified with a monetary value. These subjective damages address the emotional and psychological distress often accompanying a wrongful death claim.

Examples of Non-Economic Damages:

Loss of household services: If the deceased person provided household services, such as childcare, housekeeping, or home maintenance, the surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for the value of these lost services.

Loss of consortium/companionship: The loss of a loved one will leave an irreplaceable dent in a person’s life. The surviving family members, especially the victim’s spouse or children, can seek compensation for the love they’ll be missing with the loss.

3.Punitive Damages

If the defendant’s actions were extraordinarily harmful or done to harm, the court could grant punitive damages. The purpose of these damages is to penalize the accused and discourage them from engaging in similar actions in the future.

Punitive damages convey that particular behavior will not be accepted, rather than providing direct compensation to the family. As such, these damages are typically awarded in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Did You Learn Something?

Thus, it is clear that wrongful death claims can be integral to providing some financial relief to the decedent’s family. The damages available as part of a wrongful death claim are divided into three main categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

It is essential to understand these options to decide which types of damages are available in an individual case and the steps to take to seek compensation for those losses. Preparing a wrongful death claim can be daunting, but having all the facts about the different types of damages available can help guide families through this painful time.

Getting help from an experienced attorney can be highly beneficial when assessing your case and exploring all potential avenues for recovering compensation for both present and future damages resulting from this devastating incident.