Economic and Non-Economic Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

By Eugene Bruno on January 20, 2024

Wrongful death cases are profoundly challenging legal situations, bringing grief and legal complexities to grieving families. Understanding the types of damages involved in such cases is crucial for seeking fair compensation and justice.

Wrongful death claims may be filed when negligence or intentional harm by another party causes a loss of life. These cases allow surviving family members to seek compensation for the losses they endure due to the untimely death of their loved one. Wrongful death claims encompass a range of circumstances, from car accidents to construction site accidents, where negligence or misconduct results in fatal consequences.

Understanding the nature of damages in wrongful death cases is paramount for the affected families. Your personal injury lawyer can determine the extent of your past, present, and future damages, including economic and non-economic. These damages represent the losses you have suffered due to the death of your loved one.

Economic Damages in San Diego Wrongful Death Cases

Economic damages in wrongful death cases encompass tangible financial losses incurred as a direct result of the death. These damages are quantifiable and typically include:

• Medical expenses: Costs associated with medical treatment and care provided to the deceased before their death.
• Funeral and burial costs: Expenses related to the deceased’s funeral, burial, or cremation services.
• Loss of financial support: The monetary contributions the deceased would have made to the family, including income, benefits, and other forms of financial support.
• Loss of future earnings: The estimated income that the deceased would have earned over their expected working years had they not suffered an untimely death.
• Loss of benefits: Benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and other work-related perks that the deceased would have provided to the family.
• Property damage: Costs associated with damage to property that occurred in the same incident leading to the wrongful death.

Economic damages are intended to compensate surviving family members for the measurable financial hardships they face due to the death of a loved one. These damages aim to alleviate the immediate and future economic burdens caused by the.

Non-Economic Damages in San Diego Wrongful Death Cases

Non-economic damages in wrongful death cases encompass intangible losses that are challenging to quantify but are nevertheless significant. These damages typically include:

• Pain and suffering of the deceased: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before their death.
• Loss of companionship: Damages acknowledging the emotional void and loss of companionship suffered by surviving family members due to the death of their loved one.
• Loss of consortium: The deprivation of the benefits and companionship that the deceased would have provided to their spouse, including emotional support, intimacy, and guidance.
• Emotional distress: Compensation for the psychological impact, trauma, and emotional distress experienced by surviving family members as a result of the wrongful death.
• Loss of guidance and mentorship: Damages recognizing the absence of guidance and mentorship that the deceased would have provided to their children or dependents.
• Impact on quality of life: Compensation for the negative impact on the overall quality of life experienced by surviving family members due to the loss.

Non-economic damages aim to address the emotional and psychological toll that a wrongful death inflicts on the surviving family members. While these losses are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms, they are an essential component of seeking fair compensation and acknowledging the broader impact of the untimely loss on the lives of those left behind.

Factors Affecting Damages

The determination of damages in wrongful death cases hinges on considerations of liability and negligence. Establishing that the death resulted from the actions or negligence of another party is fundamental to building a robust case for compensation.

Expert testimony and evidence play a critical role in supporting the claims made by the surviving family members. This may involve medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals providing insights into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Quality Legal Service with Eugene Bruno & Associates

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we understand the complicated and sensitive nature of wrongful death cases and are committed to helping grieving families secure fair compensation. If you find yourself facing such a situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our San Diego wrongful death attorneys. Let us guide you through the legal process and advocate for the justice you deserve.

Call us at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) for a free consultation to discuss your case.