What Falls Under Compensation in Cases of Wrongful Death?

In San Diego, car accidents have increased over the years. These accidents often lead to minor and major injuries for those involved. Now, if you have been in such an accident and lost a loved one, then it is an immense tragedy. This is where wrongful death claims come into play. Today, we will discuss the kinds of compensation that you can claim in such situations. 

Financial Losses

The most observable losses in this case are the economic damages. The first item on the list is medical expense. Next are the costs related to the funeral and burial. 

You can also consider the loss of benefits, including retirement, health insurance, and other benefits that the deceased would have provided. Finally, you need to consider the potential wealth or possessions that the deceased would have left behind also known as inheritance loss.

To make an accurate assessment of the monetary loss, you need to consider the deceased’s age, career, earning potential, and life expectancy. For precise estimates, you need to get in touch with wrongful death lawyers San Diego. These legal experts have in-depth knowledge in these matters. They know what to do and how to do, so that they can ensure the maximum compensation amount. 

Non-Economic Damages

The intangible losses that have a direct influence on the lives of the family members are referred to as the non-economic damages. It includes:

  1. Pain and Suffering: The family’s emotional anguish as a result of the loss.
  2. Loss of Companionship: The absence of the loved one’s support, affection, and presence.
  3. Emotional Distress: Family members experiencing emotional distress, which can show up as anxiety, sadness, or other mental health conditions.

The substantial emotional and relational gap left by the departed cannot be undermined. However, despite being difficult to measure, they are essential for acknowledging the entire scope of the family’s hardship. 

Punitive Damages

You must understand that not all wrongful death cases result in the awarding of punitive damages. They are applicable in cases where the accused person’s conduct was extremely heinous, malevolent, or extremely negligent. Here, you will see that punishing the offender and discouraging future instances of the same behavior are the main goals.

So, punitive damages might be taken into consideration. For example, if a company intentionally supplied a defective product that resulted in a fatality or if the driver drove while intoxicated and caused a tragic accident, then it will amount to punitive damages. 

Loss of Services and Support

In addition to monetary gifts, the deceased frequently provided the family with assistance and services that are invaluable. Household services include childcare, maintenance, chores, and other everyday duties. Other than this, nurturing and guidance are particularly important when a parent or guardian passes away. Thus, families will be compensated for the many roles the deceased played in their lives if these losses are acknowledged. 

Final Words

Handling a wrongful death claim is a complicated legal process. In order to fight for justice and assistance you need to collect all possible information related to the applicable compensation. Moreover, seeking advice from seasoned legal experts at hhjtrialattorneys.com can help guarantee that each potential source of compensation will be investigated thoroughly and effectively.