What Are Non-Economic Damages in Wrongful Death Cases?

08 August
2020

If your loved one died as a result of someone else’s negligence, as a family member you may have the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to receive justice in the State of California. While no amount of money will bring back your loved one, you may have funeral expenses, remaining medical bills, lost wages during the time your loved one was too injured to work, or property damage. However, as a family member who lost a loved one, you may have the legal right to also bring non-economic damages as part of your wrongful death lawsuit. Learn more about the different types of non-economic damages that you may have the legal right to receive in a wrongful death case.
Understanding Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages represent more intangible items that represent the loss that a family experiences following a loved one’s death. While these items are truly non-economic, the courts will attempt to assign a financial amount to these damages in an attempt to allow a family to receive justice because they lost their loved one due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness or recklessness. Some of the types of non-economic damages are explained in more detail below.
Spouse and Family Loss
When someone loses a family member, they lose the ability to share a life with them. Spouses lose their life partner, and children lose a parent to guide them through life. This loss of comfort, loss of instruction for children, loss of services in the home and in life, loss of guidance, loss of support, loss of counsel, and loss of training for children is devastating. This loss of consortium and loss of companionship impacts the family permanently. The calculations regarding loss of consortium and loss of companionship are incredibly complex and legally challenging. Visiting with an experienced wrongful death attorney can help you understand your legal rights and realize how you may have the right to file for these types of non-economic damages in your case.
Loss of Income
Your loved one likely was unable to return to work following their accident, resulting in lost wages. Lost wages may include not only a salary or wages, but also missed bonuses, missed promotions, lost employee contributions, lost pension contributions, lost vacation or sick leave, lost transportation allowances, and more. However, if your loved died, then you may also have the ability to include loss of future income as part of your wrongful death claim. The calculation for the loss of future income can also be legally challenging and complex.
Contact an Experienced Attorney Today
There are other types of non-economic damages including the pain and suffering your loved one experienced as a result of their injuries in their accident. Visiting with an experienced attorney can help you better understand what types of non-economic damages you may have the right to file in your wrongful death case, and what amount of compensation you may receive on behalf of your loved one. We understand you are likely grieving during this emotional time and look forward to helping you through this process. Call our experienced attorneys at The Law Office of Daniel H. Rose. We will work on your behalf to ensure that you received the full compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced attorneys at 415-946-8900 or online today.