The loss of a loved one is a traumatic chapter for families. In addition to the emotional hardship, there may be financial hurdles to overcome if the deceased was a primary source of income. Medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses can add to the burden.
If you lost a family member due to another person’s negligence, you may be able to recover these financial losses in a wrongful death claim. A Scottsdale personal-injury attorney from the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm can evaluate the incident to determine if you may be entitled to compensation.
Our lawyers have more than 30 years of combined experience protecting the rights of the injured. Call 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation..
Here are six damages that may be available in a wrongful death claim:
- Medical Costs
Surviving family members often have to pay exorbitant medical costs. Even if the victim dies, the health-care bills do not disappear. These expenses can be particularly steep if your family member survived for several days, months or years after the initial accident.
- Funeral Expenses
When people die unexpectedly, their families may not be financially prepared for funeral expenses. This is especially true if the victim was young and healthy. You may be able to recover funeral costs from the at-fault party in a wrongful death claim.
- Income Loss
If the deceased was a primary source of income, surviving family members may face overwhelming debt. You may be entitled to any loss of income that happened after the accident, as well as compensation for the loss of future earnings.
- Loss of Companionship
Every person has a unique role within his or her family structure. Whether the person receives or gives guidance, protection or emotional support, losing a family member can be overwhelming. According to Nolo, the damages in a wrongful death claim may include loss of companionship.
- Pain and Suffering
If your loved one had the misfortunate of suffering terribly before death, you may have a claim for pain and suffering. Severe injuries can have a devastating effect on someone’s mental, emotional and physical state. However, if your loved one died instantly, you probably will not be able to recover pain and suffering damages.
- Loss of Inheritance
The monetary assets that a parent leaves to his or her children can provide financial stability. If the victim had children but died before he or she could accumulate an inheritance for them, you may be able to claim loss of inheritance in the damages.
If your loved one was the victim of wrongful death in Arizona, contact the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm. A Scottsdale accident lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if you may have valid grounds for a lawsuit. Call 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation.