When a person or business causes harm to an individual, they may incur legal liability. The affected party can make a claim against insurance in some cases. When there isn’t insurance or the coverage available isn’t high enough, it may be necessary to take the matter to civil court.
Injured parties can file personal injury lawsuits seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other economic consequences they incur due to the misconduct or negligence of another party. Sometimes, the person harmed cannot take legal action because they suffer fatal injuries.
Family members left behind when someone dies prematurely may want to seek justice by taking legal action. A wrongful death lawsuit provides an opportunity for grieving families to secure compensation for losses related to a loved one’s premature death.
Medical and funeral expenses
People who incur fatal injuries do not always succumb to them immediately. They may receive emergency care and transportation to a medical facility, only to die days later. Their families may have tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. They may also spend thousands preparing for a funeral service and arranging for the burial of their loved one. A wrongful death lawsuit provides families with an opportunity to recoup medical expenses and funeral costs.
Lost wages
When the deceased individual was a wage earner for the family, their death can cause immediate financial hardship. Families can potentially request compensation for a lifetime of lost wages. They can also seek reimbursement for the value of their employment benefits. Health insurance, paid leave and pension contributions can be worth thousands of dollars per year for the remainder of someone’s career. Calculating lost wages can help families replace the income they can no longer receive because a loved one died.
Lost practical support
People tend to provide unpaid services for their family members. They may cook for the family every night or serve as the primary caregiver for children. The cost of those services can be worth thousands of dollars every month. Families may struggle to hire professionals to fill those roles. They may also need to consider the loss of companionship and advice that they should have received from their loved one if they hadn’t died prematurely.
Discussing the role that a deceased individual played in a family with a skilled legal team can help surviving loved ones determine what to request in a wrongful death lawsuit. Those who accurately calculate the economic impact of a death can work to hold an at-fault party responsible for causing a tragedy that resulted in financial consequences.