What Damages Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Tragically losing a loved one can take a huge emotional and financial toll on your family. If the death occurred due to someone else's intentional acts, you and other surviving family members might be able to pursue compensation from the liable party through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Recoverable damages in a wrongful death claim include financial, economic, and non-economic reparations. Wrongful death laws in San Diego, California, allow you to launch a case against the individual that caused the deceased's death.

A San Diego wrongful death lawyer can help you determine a legal strategy to get you the compensation you deserve.

Economic Damages

In most cases, damages recovered in a wrongful death case can be classified as economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are compensation benefits generally verifiable financial losses suffered by a surviving family due to an untimely death. The monetary damages recovered in a wrongful death claim in San Diego can include the following:

• Past and future medical expenses resulting from the death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of use of property
• The economic value of domestic services
• Loss of current and future earning capacity
• Retirement savings, health insurance coverage, or pension plans
• Lost inheritance

However, to recover the full scope of economic damages, you and your wrongful death attorney must prove your claim in a court of law. This could include providing crucial evidence, including receipts, witness testimony, and pay stubs.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are losses suffered by family members in the absence of the deceased person. These damages are often subjective, non-monetary, and challenging to quantify. However, they involve the value of the decedent's love, care, guidance, moral support, and companionship. Non-economic damages include the following.

• Loss of consortium refers to the loss of emotional support suffered by an immediate family member or spouse.
• Pain and suffering or anguish experienced by the decedent from the time of the accident until they die.
• Loss of guidance and support the deceased person would have provided the surviving loved ones.

How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help

In California, wrongful death cases are filed by the decedent's surviving family members. The law specifically allows some members to obtain compensation for their pain and suffering from losing a loved one.

A San Diego wrongful death lawyer can help you file and navigate your case to ensure you obtain appropriate compensation. While monetary benefits cannot bring back the loss of a loved one, the court strives to award a compensation amount that relieves the family's financial burden.

Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer Now

Laureti & Associates has over 25 years of experience in personal injury law. We serve clients in San Diego and the surrounding areas and can help you recover the required damages resulting from the death of a loved one.

‍Schedule a free consultation today with Anthony Laureti, the leading wrongful death attorney at Laureti & Associates.