Loss of a loved one is possibly the most intense pain one can feel. It simply cannot be captured by words, and is harrowing to even imagine. The emotional repercussions of such a loss are immense. However, this might be compounded if death was the result of someone else’s negligence or intentional actions.
Death is a horrible experience. It can leave a family or survivor reeling with severe financial complications. Worse, the complications must be handled while dealing with severe emotional pain. This is why it is recommended to seek a legal consultation with an expert in Woodland Hills.
An attorney can empathize with your pain, and recommend legal actions to bring the ring party to justice. Specifically, a wrongful death claim can get you the resources needed to recover. Here’s how…
Out-of-Pocket Medical Bills
One of the first types of damages you can seek in a wrongful death claim is out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred before your loved one’s death. These can include hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and any other healthcare costs related to the incident that led to the fatality. An expert attorney can help compile and present these expenses to ensure they are fully covered in your claim.
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Funeral and burial expenses can be substantial, adding financial stress to an already overwhelming situation. In a wrongful death claim, you can seek compensation for these costs, which may include funeral service fees, caskets, burial plots, cremation services, and other related expenses. Accurately documenting these costs and presenting them in your claim is essential, and an experienced attorney can assist in this process to ensure you are reimbursed appropriately.
Loss of Financial Support
The loss of financial support is one of the most significant and long-lasting impacts of wrongful death. If the deceased was a primary breadwinner, their death could result in severe financial hardship for the surviving family members. This category of damages seeks to compensate for the income and benefits the deceased would have provided had they lived. Calculating this accurately involves considering the deceased’s earning potential, age, health, and career trajectory.
Loss of Consortium and Loss of Love
The emotional impact of losing a loved one is immeasurable, but wrongful death claims can include compensation for loss of consortium and loss of love. Loss of consortium refers to the deprivation of the benefits of a family relationship, including affection, solace, comfort, companionship, society, assistance, and sexual relations. This type of damage acknowledges the profound personal loss experienced by the surviving spouse, children, or parents.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded in a wrongful death claim. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to cover actual losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. These damages are not awarded in every case and typically require clear evidence that the defendant’s actions were especially harmful or malicious.
It is important to acknowledge that no amount of money in the world can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one. The aim of Wrongful Death claims is to recognize the severity of such an event, and bring the erring party to justice. Mere Negligence cannot be the reason why families are deprived of their loved ones, partners deprived of their spouses, and children deprived of their parents.
A wrongful death claim thus seeks to restore balance by ensuring hefty compensation for the survivors. Here, working with the best attorney is essential. They have the skills and resources to sufficiently investigate your claim. Additionally, they can expertly represent you to insurance adjusters, mediators, or even a jury if required!
