Wrongful death claims are an important resource available to help surviving family members of victims killed in an accident such as a car accident caused by a negligent party such as a negligent driver. A wrongful death claim for damages can help families with the financial and emotional damages oftentimes associated with an unexpected fatal accident. Surviving family members may have questions, however, as to how a wrongful death claim works and what types of damages they can receive.
Wrongfully losing a loved one because of another party’s negligence can take an emotional and financial toll on surviving family members. Wrongful death legal protections provide family members with options to help them recover compensation for the medical and funeral experiences they may be left facing after the loss of a loved one. In addition, they may be able to receive compensation for loss of support and services and other damages as well.
Damages available in a wrongful death case are highly dependent on the circumstances and characteristics of the victim. When calculating damages in a wrongful death case, considerations that will be taken into account include the age of the victim; their life expectancy; the earning capacity of the victim; the character and condition of the victim; and the health and intelligence of the victim. In addition, the circumstances of the surviving family members will also be considered. A wrongful death claim for damages is a claim brought on behalf of the estate of the victim for the benefit of the surviving family members.
Wrongful death legal options are an important resource for families struggling to cope with the unexpected loss of a loved one and the emotional and financial toll that can take. Family members of victims of traumatic accidents, such as a car accident, should be familiar with the wrongful death resources available to help them.
Source: Injury.findlaw.com, “Wrongful Death Overview,” Accessed Nov. 8, 2017
