Oak Lawn Wrongful Death Damages

When a loved one passes away due to the negligence of another, the surviving estate may be eligible to seek compensation for damages in a wrongful death suit. The damages in a wrongful death case are different from personal injury cases. In most personal injury cases, individuals could recover compensation for damages including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more depending on the circumstances.

In a wrongful death case, the damages are those sustained by the relatives of the deceased plaintiff. As an example, the grief and sorrow a wife may experience at the loss of her husband. It also takes into consideration the loss of enjoyment and experiences after a wrongful death. For example, a child who loses a parent misses many life experiences. These are included in the damages in a wrongful death case.

Speak to a skilled wrongful death attorney to seek compensation for your loss. They could review your case and help you understand which Oak Lawn wrongful death damages you may be eligible to recover.

Who Could File A Wrongful Death Action?

The law sets out specific guidelines as to who can make a recovery in a wrongful death case. The determination of wrongful death damages depends on the living relatives of the deceased at the time of death. The children of the deceased are usually the primary beneficiaries. When there are no children, the parents of the deceased are beneficiaries.

A spouse of the deceased is also entitled to Oak Lawn wrongful death damages. The people who are entitled to make a recovery and the amounts that each of them are entitled to is a complicated issue that is best discussed with an experienced wrongful death lawyer.

Common Types of Recoverable Damages

When bringing a wrongful death case, the relatives of the deceased bring various elements of damages. Each is a separate item of damage that could be awarded a different amount in the same case. The largest element of Oak Lawn wrongful death damages is the non-economic damages which include grief, sorrow, and loss of society.

In some circumstances, individuals may be eligible to recover economic damages as well. If a spouse is the primary breadwinner in the family and is killed in a wrongful death case, the loss of income the family suffers is an economic damage which is recoverable. It is best to speak to an experienced attorney to determine exactly which damages the decedent’s estate may be eligible to seek.

How a Wrongful Death Attorney Could Help

No amount of money is enough to compensate someone for the wrongful death of their loved one. However, the law only allows for a monetary recovery, even though nothing can bring the person back. A jury decides the value of the individual’s life to the surviving relatives. An experienced wrongful death lawyer gathers the necessary evidence and proof to allow for the greatest possible non-economic recovery for the decedent’s surviving estate.

The relationship between the deceased and their relatives is a significant factor when calculating an award for Oak Lawn wrongful death damages. The closer the relationship and the greater the loss, the larger the non-economic damage recovery will be. Some of the elements of damages in a wrongful death case include grief, sorrow, loss of companionship, and loss of income resulting from the death.

Schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable attorney to learn about which Oak Lawn wrongful death damages you and your family may be eligible to seek.