People pass away with little warning all the time in Missouri. Sometimes, they leave behind valuable assets and life insurance policies. Other times, they may not have prepared in advance. Their families may end up scrambling to cover end-of-life costs and recover from losing their income.
In some scenarios, surviving family members can hold a person or business financially accountable for causing a premature death. Missouri state statutes allow for wrongful death litigation in scenarios where a tragedy is the result of either negligence or misconduct. Those who understand what they can recover with a successful wrongful death lawsuit may see the value and initiating legal action.
What losses can families recoup after filing a successful wrongful death lawsuit?
Medical and funeral costs
Oftentimes, families have several major expenses generated by their loved one’s death. There may have been attempts to save their life that may have produced tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Funerals and burials are also quite costly. Wrongful death lawsuits provide families with an opportunity to recoup the expenses related to a loved one’s medical care before they died and their funeral after they passed.
Lost wages and benefits
The deceased individual likely made ongoing financial contributions to the household in the form of their pay and the benefits that their employer provided. Families can potentially seek compensation for a lifetime of lost earning potential and future benefits. They can even factor in likely future increases in pay and promotions that their loved one could have obtained if they had survived.
Non-economic losses
Families can also request compensation for losses that don’t have a direct price tag attached. They can request compensation for the pain and suffering that their loved one experienced before they died. Family members can also request compensation for the loss of services and companionship related to their loved ones passing. By quantifying the unpaid services someone provides around the home and converting them to a fair market value, families can seek financial compensation for what is typically a non-economic contribution to the household.
Those who take the time to learn about wrongful death lawsuits can seek economic justice in the civil courts. The party that is responsible for someone dying may have to pay for the losses generated by that tragedy.