When your loved one dies unexpectedly due to someone else’s negligence, the last thing you want to do is worry about money. Unfortunately, that is not always an option. You are often stuck paying medical bills and expenses that you may not be able to afford. Maybe the deceased individual provided for you and your children, and suddenly, you are without those wages. While you can never put a monetary value on what someone else’s life was worth, a wrongful death lawsuit or claim can help you recover from some of the financial loss you might experience. Here are some of the costs considered for most wrongful death cases:
Medical Expenses
Though the effort is unsuccessful, money is often spent attempting to revive wrongful death victims. This might include ambulance or transportation fees, hospital fees, doctors’ bills, and the price of any medication used or surgeries performed. The type of insurance the victim had may play a role in the final amount owed. If the victim had no insurance these expenses would be claimed in the wrongful death lawsuit or case.
Funeral Expenses
In addition to medical expenses, the victim’s family must also pay for funeral arrangements as they lay their loved one to rest. These expenses may also be reimbursed.
Lost Wages
Any wages the victim might have earned in the future may also be considered to be part of a wrongful death lawsuit. This is especially true when the victim was the main provider for his or her household. Determining the exact amount is often a complicated process, but an experienced wrongful death attorney can help you decide what your loved one’s financial future was worth.
Damages for Pain and Suffering
If your loved one suffered at the time of his or her death or experienced pain, disfigurement, or any type of disability for any length of time, you may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering. This is often the most difficult figure to assess, because a human being’s life does not have a price tag. Attorneys may rely on similar past cases to determine an exact amount.
If you your loved one recently lost his or her life in a wrongful death situation, and you want to claim what is rightfully yours, contact Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C. at 770-394-8909.
