While a wrongful death claim awards damages for loved ones who have suffered financially and emotionally from the decedent’s death, a survival action awards damages the decedent could have recovered if he or she had not died. In other words, if the decedent was hit by a negligent driver and severely injured, if he or she had lived, a personal injury claim would likely have been filed, with medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages awarded. Because the injured person did not survive, a survival action asks for those same damages, with the difference being the damages are awarded to the decedent’s estate.