How Much Can You Sue for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Wrongful Death On Friday, April 29, 2022

Wrongful death is a tragedy that no spouse, child or parent should ever have to face. It refers to a death that occurs due to someone else’s neglect, wrongful act or default. In Connecticut, if you lose your loved one in a preventable accident, such as a car crash or workplace incident, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party. How much your case is worth depends on the circumstances.

What Damages Are Available for a Wrongful Death in Connecticut?

Determining the value of your wrongful death claim in Connecticut starts with identifying your compensable losses. These are both the economic and noneconomic losses that you and your family suffered because of the death of a loved one. Each state has its own rules for the types of damages (financial compensation) that are available in a wrongful death lawsuit. The Connecticut General Assembly Section 52-555 lists the following as compensable damages:

• Reasonably necessary medical, hospital and nursing services
• Funeral and burial expenses
• The deceased person’s (decedent’s) lost lifetime of earnings
• Conscious pain and suffering experienced by the decedent prior to death
• Loss of consortium, or the love, care and companionship that the decedent would have provided

Creating a comprehensive list of your losses is important if you wish to pursue fair compensation. If your wrongful death lawsuit involves a fatal car accident, the courts may allow for double or triple damages if the defendant is found guilty of recklessly or knowingly disregarding certain traffic laws, and if this was a substantial factor in causing the decedent’s death.

What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement?

Searching for average wrongful death settlements is not advisable, as each case is too unique to be compared to others. While you may find information that places the typical value at around $500,000 or more, an accurate “average” wrongful death settlement doesn’t exist. Some claimants may receive $1 million or more for the preventable loss of their loved one’s life, while other settlements may be placed at less than $500,000, depending on the circumstances.

What someone else received as a wrongful death settlement may not accurately depict the value of your case. The best way to determine case value is by consulting with a wrongful death attorney. An attorney can review the particular elements of your case to give you an accurate estimate of its potential value. Only then can you enter settlement negotiations with an insurance company with a clear idea of how much your case is worth.

How to Get a Fair Wrongful Death Settlement

It is fair to say that no amount of money will ever be enough to make up for losing someone beloved to you. No dollar amount will ever equate to the loss of a life. However, there is a value that is just according to the applicable laws in Connecticut and the financial losses that your family suffered because of the unexpected death. It is up to you or your attorney to fight for this amount, even if this means going to trial. 

Obtaining full financial compensation for wrongful death can help surviving family members pay for related expenses and move forward with greater financial stability. The best way to ensure a fair outcome for your wrongful death case in Connecticut is by hiring an attorney to represent you. 

How Can a Wrongful Death Attorney Help?

A wrongful death lawyer will know what strategies to use to negotiate with an insurance company for maximum case results on your behalf, such as gathering ample evidence and proof of your losses. An attorney can also take your wrongful death case to court, if necessary, for full compensation. A lawyer will not stop pursuing justice for you until a fair outcome has been achieved.

To learn more about how much your wrongful death lawsuit could be worth in Connecticut, contact Loughlin & FitzGerald, P.C. to request a free consultation.