A wrongful death action can provide financial compensation—known in the legal world as "damages"—for a variety of negative situations that have arisen as a result of the death of a loved one. A successful wrongful death lawsuit claim may result in compensation for one or more of the following:
• Medical costs: If your loved one was admitted to the hospital before passing away, the estate may be saddled with hefty medical bills. Unfortunately, these bills may not go away simply because the procedures and treatments were ineffective in saving your loved one. A wrongful death action can compensate you for medical bills incurred as a result of the wrongful death of a loved one.
• Income loss and loss of future earning capacity: If your loved one provided income to support your family, you may find yourself struggling financially after his or her death. Even if you do not have any funeral or medical expenses to cover, losing a source of income can be devastating. A wrongful death lawsuit can seek compensation to compensate you for lost income, as well as compensation for lost earning potential that your loved one could have had if he or she had not been killed.
• Funeral costs: An unexpected burial can be extremely expensive for families, as cremation and burial can cost thousands of dollars. Funeral arrangements, such as funeral services or flowers, are typically not covered. A wrongful death action considers the financial burden that an unexpected burial can cause, and it can compensate you for reasonable funeral and burial expenses incurred as a result of the loss of your loved one.
• Punitive damages: according to the State’s polices, the court or jury will find an individual's actions to be so heinous that the individual believes he or she should be punished for his or her wrongdoings. In that case, the beneficiaries of a wrongful death lawsuit may be awarded additional "punitive" damages. Unlike the other types of compensation mentioned above, which are intended to compensate surviving family members, punitive damages are simply intended to punish the person who caused your loved one's death. Furthermore, they can be used to set an example to discourage others from engaging in similar actions in the future.
• Loss of consortium: The losses outlined above can be quantified: medical bills and funeral expenses can be calculated, as can loss of income. There is, however, no mathematical formula to quantify the relationship you lost with a loved one due to his or her untimely death. A spouse's love cannot be quantified, and no sum of money can compensate for a parent's guidance to her children. While it is impossible to put a monetary value on the loss of love, companionship, and support following a death, a wrongful death action can consider this type of loss and will often compensate for it.
Struggling In the Aftermath of a Loved One? We Can Assist
If you are struggling emotionally or financially as a result of the death of a loved one or family member in Long Island, NY, the attorneys at US Legal Law firm are here to assist you. Our Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer have built a successful reputation in throughout New York by providing competent and compassionate representation.
Fill out an online contact form or call us today to learn more about the potential benefits of a wrongful death action, or to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We're here to help you move forward after the death of a loved one; all you have to do is call.
