How is Death Compensation Calculated?
Losing someone you love suddenly, such as in a car crash, is an unspeakable tragedy that no one should have to experience. Unfortunately, countless families endure this every year, and as if the pain of a family member’s death wasn’t hard enough, they may also be dealing with financial difficulties. If you lost someone in an accident, you’re likely facing a pile of medical bills and other expenses. One of the best ways you can cover these bills and avoid potential financial ruin is to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party responsible for your loved one’s early death.
How much compensation can you obtain in a wrongful death lawsuit? Answering that question is tricky, as many factors are taken into consideration when it comes to determining damages. Placing a monetary value on a person’s life requires a lot of thought and calculation.
Though the amount of money a family can recover varies based on the case, there are some factors that can help determine a definite amount, including:
- The income of the deceased person: Was the deceased individual the breadwinner in the family? Were they responsible for providing for the security of multiple dependents? If so, you may be able to seek a larger amount of compensation to make up for this lost income.
- Funeral expenses: Did you have to pay out of pocket for funeral and burial expenses? In addition to the damages typically associated with a personal injury claim, a wrongful death claim can cover the costs of a family’s funeral arrangements.
- The amount of medical expenses incurred: If your loved one was treated or operated on prior to their death or spent time in the hospital, they may have incurred medical bills. These can add to the value of a wrongful death case.
- Age and circumstances of dependents: When determining the value of a case, it’s important to look at those who were dependent on the deceased individual. If there are multiple children who depended on the deceased for economic stability and emotional support, for example, you may be able to seek additional compensation.
- Age of the deceased: The age of the deceased person matters. If your family member was young and had a long life ahead of them, your family may be able to ask for more compensation.
There are other factors that an experienced lawyer can help you consider when calculating the value of a wrongful death claim. It’s important to know that no two lawsuits are the same, and what applied to one case may not apply to yours.
Seeking Justice on Behalf of Your Loved One
There’s nothing that can fill the void your loved one left behind, but our wrongful death lawyers at Dunk Law Firm can do whatever it takes to get your family the compensation you need to pay your bills, heal, and move forward with their lives. Our team can handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim, from proving that your loved one’s death was caused by negligence to filing your claim in time according to the statute of limitations. In addition to the damages we recover, we may even be able to pursue punitive damages, depending on the nature of your case. Don’t wait to seek justice for your family member and all that you’ve had to go through.
Our team at Dunk Law Firm understands how painful this time may be for your family and can handle the details of your wrongful death claim. Contact us online or by phone at (800) 674-9339 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
