Individuals who lose a loved one as a result of the careless or negligent actions of another individual, business, or entity will likely be able to recover compensation. However, the total amount of compensation available to family members and the estate of the deceased will vary depending on certain factors related to each particular case. It is important to examine these factors, particularly if you are in the early stages of a wrongful death claim yourself.
What Types of Compensation Are Available?
There are typically various types of compensation available for a wrongful death claim in Philadelphia. This includes various types of economic and non-economic losses.
- Wrongful death economic damages. This refers to the types of losses that are relatively calculable after a loss of life occurs. We say that these losses are calculable because we can add up various bills and receipts that the estate and family members receive. Some of the most common economic damages in a wrongful death claim include:
- Any pre-death medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits the deceased can no longer earn
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Property damage expenses
- Wrongful death non-economic damages. This refers to the more immeasurable losses associated with the death. These damages are less concrete because they are subjectively evaluated. There are no direct bills or receipts in these situations. Some of the most common non-economic damages for a wrongful death claim include:
- Surviving family members’ loss of love, guidance, companionship, and protection
- A spouse’s loss of consortium and sexual relations
- Loss of the deceased’s household services
How Much Compensation Will be Paid Out?
There is no set amount of money paid out for a wrongful death claim in Philadelphia. Rather, the total compensation paid to the estate and the beneficiaries will vary depending on several factors related to each particular claim. Some of these factors include:
- The age of the deceased when they passed
- The life expectancy of the deceased
- The type of job and salary the individual worked
- Expected promotions over their lifetime
- The loss of any expected benefits, including healthcare
- The loss of any expected inheritance
When working to examine the total value of a wrongful death claim in Philadelphia, an attorney will work with trusted economic and financial experts. These individuals will use complex formulas to make their calculations. They will present their findings to the insurance carriers through official reports, and they will also testify at trial if necessary.
Working With an Experienced Attorney
It is very important for the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to contact a skilled wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. A wrongful death lawyer in Philadelphia will have the resources necessary to handle every aspect of these claims on behalf of the estate and the beneficiaries. This will include conducting a complete investigation into the incident, gathering the evidence needed to determine liability, and working to properly calculate all total losses. An attorney will fully represent the estate and the beneficiaries both in and out of the courtroom. This includes taking the claim to trial if necessary to ensure that the client is treated fairly.