What are wrongful death damages?

Litigation over wrongful death lawsuits ensures that the surviving family members of accident victims are compensated for their loss. If you are injured in Washington, you may be entitled to compensation for things like medical bills, funeral costs, family therapy, and lost wages as a form of damages. Losses such as emotional pain and mental suffering may be covered by damages as well as tangible economic losses. Victims’ families can collect punitive damages when intentional wrongdoing was involved.

Claimants who have suffered a wrongful death have two types of damages to contend with: economic and general. Examine each in turn.

Economic damages are damages that cover expenses related to the accident. These damages cover such things as medical bills, therapy, funeral expenses, lost wages, and other such expenses. Examples of economic damages are covered expenses related to a car accident. The person who was injured in an accident can receive compensation to pay for all the medical bills, damages to his vehicle, and any expenses he paid to get ready for the trial.

General damages cover intangible losses. In wrongful death cases, these are known as “loss of consortium.” They cover losses suffered as the result of the accident, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. In a car accident, you can recover the expenses you paid to get ready for the trial, the damages to your vehicle, and any expenses you paid for counseling.

You may also recover the loss of consortium caused by not being with the person who died in the accident. As we have already explained, these are not considered as economic damages because they don’t mean an income. However, they are considered as psychological damages, which also include an income.

The two types of damages are somewhat similar in that they both cover emotional and mental trauma you have suffered as a result of the accident. However, the economic damages will be the more popular of the two kinds, which has led to the settlement of more wrongful death cases than the general damages. The reason is that the economic damages are covered and they can be calculated in a simpler manner.

Wrongful death damages cover any psychological loss that is suffered by the victim of the accident. However, the damages are paid for life, whereas the economic damages are paid only for the time the loss of consortium is suffered by the victim so, it is best to contact the best wrongful death lawyer.

The reason the economic damages are chosen is that the value is predictable.

What are general damages?

General damages are very similar to wrongful death damages in that they cover any intangible loss, such as loss of companionship, affection, and love. However, the economic damages are what is considered as an economic loss because they pay for all the expenses you have paid to get ready for the trial.

How are the damages calculated?

Each case is different. The damages for each wrongful death case can be calculated with the help of the services of a wrongful death lawyer. Only the top personal injury lawyer can help you with your case in case your loved one died because of wrongful death. However, there are certain factors that determine the formula which is then used to determine the value of the case. Some factors include, the extent of the loss of consortium, the type of loss, the effect of the loss on the victim’s health and the victim’s financial resources, the level of involvement of the victim, the type of impairment suffered by the victim and the level of his consciousness. So to be properly prepared and know how to calculate your damages, you must have an expert lawyer who is willing to help you calculate the damages.

If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one in a preventable accident or due to misconduct caused by someone else, please allow the top personal injury lawyer in Edmonds, Justin Elsner with Elsner Law Firm to review the details and guide you through the process of holding the responsible parties accountable for your loss.  Contact our compassionate wrongful death attorneys today for a free consultation. Call or text them at 206-447-1425.