You never know when the unexpected will happen. A phone call may result in the bad news that your spouse was killed in a work accident. Once it all sinks you, it may seem like an immeasurable pit of despair from which to climb out.
There are many things you have to worry about in the wake of a loved one’s accidental death. One of these things is money. Will you have enough to continue giving your children the kind of life they’re used to? Will you be able to stay in the same house or will you have to move in with family? A wrongful death lawsuit may be able to help you recover financially if you prevail. Take a look at some of the types of damages you may recover if the court says the defendant was responsible for your spouse’s untimely death.
Financial Impact
Once the court rules in your favor, the damages phase begins. During this time, you have the chance to submit tangible evidence of the economic impact your spouse’s death took and will continue to take on your family. The court may award you the money to cover things such as:
- Medical expenses associated with the accident
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of income now and in the future
- Loss of medical benefits
Emotional Impact
Losing someone you love takes a toll. When this person dies due to someone else’s negligent behavior, the emotional trauma may create an even greater strain on the body. These non-economic damages include your pain and suffering (and that of your children), the loss of safety your spouse provided and the loss of love and consortium your spouse provided. The financial compensation a judge awards these intangible expenses may vary based on a few factors.
First, the judge may consider the injuries of the deceased and any suffering they may have experienced. Next, the age of the deceased comes into play. Finally, the court may look at the abject behavior of the negligent party in contributing to the death.
When the parties need to present their sides on how much the plaintiff should receive in damages, there may be expert testimony required. These people may weigh in on things like the projected lifetime earnings of the deceased or the emotional impact on children should the surviving spouse have to return to work after staying home for years.
State laws vary on limits and deadlines, so getting a wrongful death attorney in Minneapolis MN to represent your spouse’s estate may help in the long run.
Thanks to Johnston | Martineau PLLP, Attorneys at Law for their insight into wrongful death claims.
