To calculate a wrongful death settlement, think of how your family has suffered because of losing your loved one. Some of your losses are financial, while others are mental and emotional. Your life is changed forever in an instant. All of these types of damages are devastating and worthy of compensation. Here are some examples of losses that you may include when you calculate a wrongful death settlement:
Medical bills of the victim
Final expenses for the victim
Lost income that the victim would have contributed to the family
Compensation for services that the victim used to provide for the family, like household tasks and caring for children
Loss of access to future benefits like a pension
Additional compensation for loss of a loved one including companionship, health and guidance
Compensation for the loss of life and enjoyment of life
Once you identify the categories of losses, the next step is valuing those damages. Some losses are economic, while some are non-economic. Economic losses can be totaled by looking at receipts and the actual expenses that the family suffers. Non-economic damages are more complicated to calculate. However, all wrongful death cases result in extreme suffering and losses for the victim and their family. A wrongful death attorney can make sure that your case represents all of the damages that your family suffers.