The days, weeks, and months following a wrongful death are confusing for the people affected by the loss. There are numerous arrangements they must make. And for those who relied on the decedent financially, several problems can arise.
How are you going to cover expenses associated with the death? What about the income lost that your individual would have earned? These become question marks. It is vital to recognize why legal action is so critical and what damages you may recover from a wrongful death lawsuit.
Economic Damages
Economic damages come as a way of paying for any losses experienced because of the wrongful death. They have a monetary value which factors into the amount of compensation. The courts can see the exact amount they should award. In wrongful death cases, economic damages can include:
- The cost of medical expenses incurred from the date of the action to the date of the death
- The cost of funeral and burial expenses—including casket, gravesite, headstone, and more
- The cost of any damages suffered to property—e.g., car repairs in an auto accident
It’s easier for the court to determine economic losses based on records of payments made by the family. Calculations for compensation are a simple process.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate beneficiaries directly for the loss. Some of the various things covered under non-economic damages include, but are not limited to:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship or guidance
- Loss of society
It’s crucial to recognize that Mississippi places caps on the amount of non-economic damages that the beneficiaries recover depending on the cause of the death. For instance, medical malpractice wrongful death claims cap at $500,000 for non-economic damages. In pharmaceutical and product liability claims, the non-economic damages cap is $1 million.
There are other things for which you can pursue compensation, such as lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned. However, to properly hold the negligent party responsible, you should work with a legal advocate who knows what to look for and who can put together a strong case strategy.
At Gulf South Law Firm, our Gulfport wrongful death lawyers work hard to position the rights and best interests of our clients to a jury. We go the extra mile to pursue the maximum compensation available. Count on us to be there for you when you need us most.
Call our legal team today to speak with an attorney: (228) 231-3989.