A wrongful death lawsuit is meant to help provide surviving family members with compensation for their loved one’s tragic death. It seeks to hold the liable party accountable for various damages that occurred because of their actions, which may help those left behind to find closure while handling the practical aspects of their loss.
Because of the nature of some of the damages, the family members of children or elderly individuals who pass away might not be able to receive as much in compensation as if they would for a healthy adult who perished. When a working adult passes away, it’s easy for the court to determine what financial earnings are applicable.
A person who isn’t earning as much as they did in their prime because they’re older wouldn’t have the same financial loss as an adult who’s at the peak of their career. It’s just as difficult to ascertain the loss of a child because you don’t really know what type of earnings they’d bring home as an adult.
In all cases, the family members who are left to cover the financial aspects of the death can choose to seek compensation for the actual damages they suffer. This includes things like the funeral and burial, as well as medical care costs.
It’s imperative to remember that you only have one chance to seek compensation. You can’t initiate a second case later if you find out that there are expenses that you didn’t account for in the claim. Working closely with your attorney can ensure that you aren’t missing anything that might help your claim.
