Understanding Wrongful Death Damages
A wrongful death occurs when an individual dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another party. This often leaves the surviving loved ones confused and distraught, especially when it pertains to seeking justice for the ones they lost. This blog post aims to clarify understanding and importance of wrongful death damages.
Diving Deep into Wrongful Death Claims
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit. It’s essential to note that wrongful death laws vary among states.
Classifying Wrongful Death Damages
Wrongful death damages in California are mainly categorized into three parts:
- Economic Damages: These cover financial contributions the deceased would have made if they had lived. It includes medical and funeral expenses, as well as the loss of victim’s expected earnings, and benefits.
- Non-Economic Damages: This is an umbrella term for reparation for emotional pain and suffering like loss of love, society, companionship, and other services the deceased would have provided.
- Punitive damages: Money awarded to punish the responsible party when their actions are deemed particularly negligent or harmful.
Process of Calculating Wrongful Death Damages
The process of calculating these damages can be complex. For economic damages, observable variables, such as the victim’s salary at death, expected years of work remaining, inflation, and the value of benefits, are considered. Non-economic damages, however, are more subjective and rely on the assigned monetary value of the emotional repercussions the death has had on the family. An experienced wrongful death attorney will be able to walk you through this process and ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Seeking Guidance from a Wrongful Death Attorney
Understanding wrongful death damages can be a daunting ordeal. This is where wrongful death attorneys play a key role. Their responsibilities span from gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, to fighting for the highest possible compensation in court.
Dispelling Common Misconceptions about Wrongful Death Damages
Let’s debunk some common myths around wrongful death damages:
- Only spouses can file a wrongful death claim: Not true, other relatives can also file.
- Damages are exempt from tax: This varies depending on the state laws and the specific damages awarded.
Conclusion
Wrongful deaths bring immense emotional trauma, but understanding your right to ‘wrongful death damages’ can be a pathway toward seeking justice. This post aims to clarify the intricacies related to wrongful death damages and guide those seeking justice after these tragic events.
For more information on wrongful death cases and legal representation, contact Dennis Law Group today. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is here to help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.