What type of damages can be awarded for a wrongful death?

Firm News,Wrongful Death On Wednesday, September 30, 2015

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the negligence of someone else, you know all too well how permanent the pain you suffer is. Many situations can cause Connecticut residents to endure the loss of companionship and family when a wrongful death occurs. These can include medical malpractice, a fatal car crash, a fatal workplace accident and more. While nothing can bring your loved one back, the law does provide you with the opportunity to seek financial compensation.

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch provides some information about what types of damages can be awarded in a wrongful death case. There are generally two different categories of damage awards. One is based predominately on hard numbers while the other calculates award on more subjective criteria. It is the responsibility of you as the plaintiff to prove the need for such damages. This means that a clear identification of the loss and a connection to the negligence of the defendant must be established.

Economic damages are intended to compensate families for any loss of income that the deceased person would have earned, adjusted for living expenses. These also repay any out-of-pocket medical and funeral costs. On the more subjective end, you can receive damages in compensation for the deceased person’s ability to enjoy his or her full live, the death itself and any pain and suffering that may have been caused.

Wrongful death damage awards are not punitive but compensatory in nature and they are inherently separate from any criminal proceedings. This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about damages in wrongful death cases in Connecticut.

 

request your free consultation
*FIELD REQUIRED
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.