How Loss of Income Figures Into Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Losing someone you love in an accident can be an extremely difficult burden to carry. When the death of a loved one is the result of another person's negligent actions or failure to act, it's important to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. If you live in Brooklyn and need the services of an attorney for a wrongful death case, we at Gary A. Zucker & Associates can help.
Be low we'd like to consider wrongful death lawsuit in a broad sense and then narrow our discussion to the financial hardships related to the loss of a loved one. A wrongful death claim can help you and your family receive compensation to cover the loss of your loved one's income.
About Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Wrongful death lawsuits are brought about by the surviving spouse, children, guardians, or representatives of the estate of a deceased person against a negligent party who is responsible for the death of said individual. These lawsuits seek damages in order to cover the funerary costs, loss of life, emotional pain and suffering, and other hardships faced by those closest to the deceased.
The Loss of the Deceased's Income
In a number of cases, the deceased was the breadwinner of the household or contributed a significant amount of income to the household. Following their death, a family suffers not just an emotional loss but a serious financial one. It can be difficult to figure out how to pay rent or make mortgage payments given this new financial hardship. Sometimes just buying meals and other essentials proves difficult.
In the long run, there may be other financial burdens to consider. Helping a child pay for college tuition can be more difficult, for example. If you and your loved one were saving for retirement, this is a major blow to whatever plans may have been in place.
This is why damages are sought to cover not just funerary expenses but the loss of wages and income from the deceased.
The Role of Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are damages that are intended to cover actual/material losses associated with an incident. In wrongful death cases, this means funerary expenses, emergency medical treatments, counseling and therapy after the death of a loved one, and the loss of the deceased's future income. These damages are sought from the person or party responsible for your loved one's death.
Calculating Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are generally easy to calculate. Bills and receipts are tallied by your lawyer in order to determine a fair amount to seek. With regard to future earning, the deceased's pay stubs, invoices, and tax returns may be considered in order to estimate how much they would have earned in the future.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Wrongful death cases can be difficult for a number of reasons. There's the emotional toil that comes with the death of someone you care about, and there is also the complexity of law to consider. By working with an experienced wrongful death attorney, you can achieve peace of mind. As your lawyer handles your case and offers counsel, you and your loved ones can focus on grieving and moving forward.
Learn More About Wrongful Death Lawsuits
For more information about wrongful death lawsuits and what your legal options are after the loss of a loved one, be sure to contact our team of experienced attorneys today. Our team will work with you in your time of legal need.