Florida Statutes section 768.21 sets out the types of damages that can be recovered after a wrongful death. Under this statute, surviving family members of a decedent may be able to recover: Medical Bills and Funeral Expenses. Compensation for items such as funeral costs and any medical bills related to the decedent's final injury or illness may be recovered if they were paid by the family members. Expenses that were paid directly by the estate are recoverable. Loss of Support and Services. Family members may be able to recover the value of any support or household services provided by the decedent. For example, if the decedent was a stay at home parent who cared for the children while the other spouse worked, there may be recovery for the reasonable value of daycare expenses. Loss of Companionship and Protection. The spouse and children of a decedent may be able to recover for the loss of emotional support, friendship, and the instruction and guidance that a child would receive from a parent. Mental Pain and Suffering. Certain survivors can recover for the emotional pain and suffering they have sustained as a result of the loss of their loved one. The estate of the deceased person can also recover damages, including: Lost Earnings. Future lost earnings may also be recoverable. These lost earnings include what the decedent would have earned had they continued working up until typical retirement age. This also includes the value of any lost benefits such as health insurance the decedent would have received as part of their employment. Calculating future lost earnings depends on the decedent's education, career, and age. Loss of future earnings is usually proven with the testimony of an economist or other experts on wages and salaries who will determine the decedent's earning capacity. Lost Accumulation of Value of the Estate. The estate can also recover the value of any investments or other income that would have accumulated if not for the wrongful death.