The sudden loss of a loved one is a heart-wrenching experience no family should have to endure. When that tragedy hits because of someone else’s negligence, the pain can feel even more unbearable.
In Arizona, as in many states, the law recognizes the profound impact of such a loss and provides a way for the victims’ families to seek compensation through wrongful death claims.
Economic damages
- Medical expenses: If your loved one incurred any medical costs before passing away, you can claim compensation for those expenses. This includes hospital bills, medication and other related costs.
- Funeral and burial costs: Expenses for burying a loved one can significantly impact your finances. Compensation can help cover these costs and alleviate some of the financial burden.
- Lost wages and benefits: The untimely death of a family member can have a devastating financial impact on the ones they leave behind. Family members may seek compensation for the loss of future earnings the victim would have earned if the accident had never happened.
Noneconomic damages
- Pain and suffering: Damages for the emotional distress and mental anguish family members experience after the sudden loss of a loved one can be more challenging to quantify. Compensation for this aims to acknowledge the immense impact of the tragedy on those left behind.
- Loss of consortium: This type of compensation specifically refers to the loss of the relationship and companionship that marriage provides. It acknowledges the unique bond and the impact of its loss on the surviving spouse’s life.
No amount of money can ever bring back the life lost in an accident. However, knowing the compensations available can significantly help those left behind through such an incredibly difficult time.
