When you lose a loved one tragically, your world turns upside down. You feel shock, grief and sadness. If your spouse dies in car accident, you think about the what-ifs. What if your husband took a different route that day? What if he left for work a little later?
And then in weeks after the accident, reality sets in: How will you manage financially on your own with three children to support?
Wrongful death lawsuits in California
You may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit if someone else’s negligence caused your spouse’s death. You may feel uneasy about seeking damages in a wrongful death lawsuit though. You don’t want to put a price on your spouse’s life. However, you may need wrongful death damages if your family is now struggling financially because of your spouse’s death.
In California, spouses, children, stepchildren and grandchildren can receive the following damages in a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Compensation for the lost income of your family member, based on their life expectancy
- Compensation for the loss of gifts or benefits, such as health insurance benefits, because of a family member’s death
- Compensation for a family member’s funeral and burial expenses
- Reasonable compensation for household services your family member would have provided (for example, if your spouse was handy and normally completed home renovation and repairs on their own)
- Compensation for the loss of your spouse or family member’s love, companionship and moral support
- Compensation for the loss of sexual relations with your spouse
- Compensation for the loss of your family member’s training and guidance
Seeking help with a wrongful death case
If you feel another driver’s negligence caused your spouse or loved one’s death, you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can review the accident circumstances to evaluate your chances of recovering damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.
