What Damages can be Collected in a Wrongful Death Suit?

Statistics show that more than 146,000 victims die every year in the United States in cases of unintentional death. In fact, wrongful death currently ranks as the fourth largest cause of death in the U.S. - this number includes deaths resulting from dangerous or unsafe working conditions and nursing home negligence. Every individual deserves maximum precautionary measures and a chance to preserve their quality of life. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If someone you care about has died because of another party’s carelessness in Boerne, San Antonio, or elsewhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for damages and losses related to the accident.

Some of the most common forms of Boerne wrongful death include:

• Workplace accidents
• Automobile accidents
• Medical / surgical malpractice
• Elderly / nursing home abuse
• Animal bites / injuries

There are two major comprehensive categories of wrongful death. The difference between them can be designated as two distinct time periods following the incident. The first category involves the length of time from the moment of the accident until time of death. This can consist of any and all various forms of pain and suffering; the entire amount of hospital bills paid, total cost of all medications purchased, and even funeral expenses for the deceased.

The second category focuses on the amount of loss and damages accrued after the victim’s untimely death. For example, if the victim’s wages were a family’s main source of income, those directly affected by this new financial burden can and should seek restitution for the loss of wages.

When you find yourself coping with the loss of a loved one in Boerne, chances are you may be wondering what damages can be collected in a wrongful death suit. Your individual case may require the guidance of an attorney to help obtain reparation. In these instances, an experienced legal representative from Carabin Shaw can help you seek full compensatory actions against culpable parties in a number of financial areas.

These typically include:

• Loss of wages
• Hospital bills
• Medical expenses
• Medication costs
• Funeral expenses

A case of wrongful death indicates loss of life, and the victims in these instances often end up being the loved ones left behind by the deceased. The closest family members are most directly affected and are forced to cope with financial loss and other damages in the wake of the fatality. To recover the damages owed to you and your family for a wrongful death, familiarize yourself with the economic, non-economic, and punitive damages that are available to you. Next, trust an experienced attorney to help guide you through this difficult time.

These damages typically fall into one of three categories:

• Economic: ‘Economic’ damages generally include the expenses and costs mentioned above. Loss of the victim’s usual flow of income, goods and services which the victim usually supplies, and medical expenses while the victim was in the hospital all fall into the category of economic damages. Even the value of a victim’s lost inheritance in the event of their untimely death can be recoverable in these instances.
• Non-economic: ‘Non-economic’ damages are often comprised of the less tangible expenses associated with the loss of a loved one. This can include recovery costs for pain and suffering, loss of a spouse’s consortium, and general loss of protection and care which the deceased provided. Because these losses and damages are usually more difficult to estimate, presence of a lawyer can be your best chance for these forms of restitutions
• Punitive: As the name would suggest, ‘punitive’ damages do not seek to compensate for material or financial losses, but rather to punish a defendant for exceptionally poor conduct and behavior regarding the deceased’s situation. Thus, punitive damages in wrongful death cases often relate to negligence or other punishable omittance of proper care which caused the death. Wrongful death in cases of elderly and nursing home abuse are the most common form of recoverable punitive damages.

To find out more about what damages can be collected in a wrongful death suit and how to maximize your chances for securing compensation for these damages, contact the experienced lawyers from Carabin Shaw today. Our team of attorneys have over 22 years representing victims in all cases of personal injury.

Presence of a Boerne wrongful death attorney from Carabin Shaw can help minimize your damages and litigate the recovery of the costs related to these damages. If you live in San Antonio or the surrounding towns like Boerne and Spring Branch, and you find yourself coping with the untimely death of a loved one, the attorneys from our firm want to hear from you. Call our lawyers at our San Antonio/Boerne offices at 210-222-2288, or anytime toll free at 800-862-1260.