Generally, wrongful death claims are brought before the court by a personal representative of the decedent’s estate on behalf of the survivors. Only actual financial losses are dealt with in a wrongful death case. The damages sought can include the following:
- Medical and Funeral Expenses – This includes any reasonable medical, funerary, or burial expenses involved with the decedent’s injury and death.
- Loss of Financial Support – This covers the amount of income that the decedent would have provided to the survivors had they been able to continue offering financial support.
- Loss of Services – The value of various services the decedent would have provided to the survivors, such as child care, cooking, cleaning, etc.
- Loss of Companionship – The value of the guidance, support, and companionship the decedent would have given to the survivors.