Russell & Hill, PLLC

What Kind Of Damages Are Recoverable In Wrongful Death Claims?

Posted on April 20, 2020Posted By Russell Hill

Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience. This is especially true if your loved one was killed due to the negligence of another person, company, or entity. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our compassionate and experienced wrongful death attorneys in Spokane have vast experience helping families recover the compensation they need in these situations. Our goal is to help grieving families gain closure. Here, we want to discuss the various types of compensation that are available to families and estates for wrongful death claims.

There are various types of damages available in these cases

When family members are successful with their wrongful death claim after the loss of a loved one, there are various types of compensation that may be available. The total amount awarded will depend on various circumstances of the death and characteristics of the victim. This includes the person’s age, economic circumstances, and any pain and suffering that occurred.

At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we regularly help grieving family members recover the following types of compensation for their wrongful death claims.

Funeral and medical expenses

Washington law allows a deceased person’s estate to recover compensation for expenses of any pre-death medical expenses incurred, as well as the costs associated with funeral and burial.

Lost income

The beneficiaries and estate of the deceased person are entitled to lose economic gain caused by the wrongful death. If the deceased person was working at the time of their death, we will need to calculate how much money they would have earned throughout the remainder of their life, had they lived. This will allow loved ones to recover that amount, minus what would have been spent. Calculating these damages often requires assistance from an economic expert.

Loss of love, companionship, and guidance

These types of damages are often called “non-economic” damages that are available to beneficiaries who are dependent on the deceased person. These are considered non-economic because they are harder to calculate. There are no bills or receipts that show the pain of losing love, guidance, and companionship of a loved one.

Pre-death pain and suffering

In many cases of wrongful death, a victim does not pass away immediately after sustaining an injury. Sometimes they incur tremendous pain and suffering before passing. Washington law allows beneficiaries of the deceased to recover compensation for their pre-death pain and suffering.

We are ready to help you through this difficult time

If you have lost a loved one due to the careless, negligent, or intentional actions of another person, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we have extensive experience handling these cases and are ready to get to work on your behalf. We will investigate every aspect of your case so we can secure any compensation you are entitled to. When you need a wrongful death attorney in Spokane, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.

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