What are the economic damages that may be awarded in a wrongful death case?
In California, economic damages may be awarded to the family of a person who has died as a result of a wrongful death. Economic damages are designed to compensate the family for the economic losses they have suffered as a result of the death, such as lost wages and medical expenses. Lost wages refer to the amount of money the deceased would have earned had they lived. This includes any benefits they would have received such as health insurance, retirement plan contributions, and vacation pay. Medical expenses are any expenses relating to the treatment of a condition or injury that resulted in the person’s death. These can be for any medical services, medications, and even funeral expenses. In addition to these two main types of economic damages, there are also a few other categories that may apply. For instance, expenses for the care of a minor or disabled adult who was dependent on the deceased may be included in the award. Additionally, a spouse of the deceased may be able to receive damages for loss of consortium, which include the loss of companionship, guidance, and support. In many cases, the court will require an expert to analyze these economic damages and present a report before an award is determined. This report will be based on factors such as the deceased’s age, occupation, and the number of years they may have worked before their death. All of these factors will be used to determine the economic damages the family is eligible to receive.
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