Figuring out how much should be awarded in damages can be very complicated. The first and easiest damage to calculate are the medical expenses the deceased person had prior to death. The cost of the funeral arrangements will also be calculated before damages are awarded.
Damages are also supposed to be awarded for the lost wages and earning potential of the person who died. If the victim is young and at the beginning of his or her career, the extent of this loss can be especially difficult to calculate. Your lawyer may argue the victim was very hard-working and good at his or her job, and the person would have been granted salary raises and promotions. If this argument is successful, the damages awarded will be greater.
Survivors of the victim of a wrongful death can also be compensated for the emotional pain they have suffered as a result of the person’s loss. The amount that is awarded for the suffering of the survivors depends on the sympathy of the jury or the opinion of the judge. No amount of money can make up for the loss of a child, but a judge will still have to decide on the amount that should be paid by the person responsible for the death. Wrongful death claims require answers to difficult questions.
Obtain free legal advice on the damages you can expect to recover for your wrongful death claim. Contact our offices in Colorado Springs or Denver to discuss your case with one of our experienced wrongful death lawyers.