What Are the Typical Damages in a Wrongful Death Suit?

If you have a relative who died due to the negligence or deliberate actions of someone else, there may be grounds for a wrongful death case. If you do, then it’s time to hire a wrongful death attorney in Richmond, VA. Before you set up an initial consultation, you should learn what the typical damages are in a Virginia wrongful death case.

Economic Damages

As you might guess, the reason for seeking economic damages is to recover the money lost as a result of a loved one dying. In general, a fair amount is the amount that the deceased would have contributed to your wellbeing if he or she had not been killed. For example, you can seek economic damages the deceased relative’s expected earnings from work, as well as any goods or services he or she would have provided to you.

Additionally, you can seek compensation to cover the health insurance, contributions to a pension plan, or any other benefits you are not receiving due to the wrongful death. If you had to pay for medical bills and funeral expenses for your loved one, those should be recovered, too.

Non-Economic Damages

These are a little harder to add up, but they are no less important than economic damages when it comes to your wrongful death case. For example, your wrongful death attorney in Richmond, VA, might advise you to request compensation for your own pain and suffering or mental anguish as a result of the death.

Similarly, if you are now missing out on the advice, guidance, or protection of your deceased loved one, you may have a reason to seek non-economic damages. If it was your spouse who died, your damages can include loss of consortium and companionship.

Punitive Damages

The point of punitive damages is to punish the person responsible for the death of your loved one. Not every negligence case supports punitive damages in a wrongful death lawsuit, but Virginia does. If you think you can prove that the person responsible for the death was reckless and acted without regard for others, you may be able to get punitive damages

If you are ready to find out what kind of damages you may be able to get, contact a wrongful death attorney in Richmond, VA, today to discuss your options. Mark Paullin and his team are highly experienced in these types of cases and are available to help you.

What Are the Typical Damages in a Wrongful Death Suit?

Sources:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-damages-available-wrongful-death-case.html

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wrongful-death-lawsuits-virginia.html

http://injury.findlaw.com/torts-and-personal-injuries/wrongful-death-overview.html

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wrongful-death-claims-overview-30141-2.html