How are damages awarded in a wrongful death case?

In California, damages awarded in a wrongful death case depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Generally, the damages can include financial compensation for the loss of financial contributions, earnings, and support that the deceased person would have provided for their family. Additionally, damages can be awarded for medical or funeral expenses related to the death, as well as compensation for the pain and suffering of those affected by the death. Compensatory damages may also be awarded. These include compensation for lost wages and benefits that the deceased would have earned in the future, lost inheritance, lost companionship, and emotional distress of the survivors. Punitive damages may also be awarded in California. These are designed to punish the defendant for their negligent or wrongful conduct. Punitive damages are intended to act as a deterrent to prevent future negligent or wrongful conduct. In a wrongful death case, damages are typically awarded to the surviving family members or beneficiaries of the deceased person. The amount of damages awarded will depend on the facts of the case and the evidence presented to the court. The court will consider the age of the deceased, the potential earning capacity of the deceased, and other financial contributions the deceased made to the family.

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How are damages awarded in a wrongful death case?

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