The death of a family member is always a sad event. However, there is a difference between situations where a person passes away due to natural causes after a long life and cases where a person’s life ended abruptly and unexpectedly. When someone dies because of someone else’s actions or negligence, their family members will often be left without closure, and they may struggle both emotionally and financially as they deal with the loss of their loved one. In these cases, families may be able to pursue compensation from those who were responsible for their loved one’s death by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
A wrongful death claim may be appropriate in any situation where a person or company caused a person’s death, either intentionally or through negligence or inaction. For example, a drunk driver may be liable for the wrongful death of a person who died in a car accident, or a pharmaceutical company may be responsible for a death that occurred because of the harmful side effects of a dangerous drug.
The personal representative of a deceased person can pursue a wrongful death claim which can seek damages that will be paid to the person’s spouse or other dependents. These damages may include:
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