Compensable Damages for Wrongful Death
How do you put a dollar figure on a person's life? In a wrongful death lawsuit, monetary damages are not a judgment about the person who died, but a measure of the impact on the family members left to cope with the loss.
The Boise attorneys of Carty Houst have obtained dozens of wrongful death verdicts and settlements across Idaho for fatalities caused by negligent or reckless acts. We excel at both proving liability and proving damages in pursuit of justice and economic security for the survivors.
Calculating Compensation for a Loved One's Death
The spouse, parents or children of the deceased may bring a lawsuit for wrongful death to seek remedy for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Hospital bills incurred before death
- Loss of future wages and benefits
- Loss of the person's love, companionship, society, services and consortium
A separate survival action (similar to a personal injury claim) on behalf of the estate can seek damages for conscious pain and suffering of the deceased prior to succumbing to fatal injuries.
Damages are readily apparent for a spouse who loses a husband or wife, especially if that spouse is left saddled with all the parenting responsibilities, household chores and economic burdens of rearing young children alone. Likewise, a child who loses a parent also has a quantifiable claim for the loss of love, parental guidance and economic support, including anticipated help with college costs.
The Carty Houst firm has the resources and skill to project lost income and demonstrate the impact on the family members left behind. In the case of a child of tender years who was killed, our experience is all the more important because the focus is on non-economic damages — the void felt every day from the lost presence of a beloved son or daughter whose life was cut short.
Idaho Fatal Accidents Lawyers
We are committed to holding the negligent parties accountable for a preventable death and maximizing compensation under the laws of Idaho. Call the Boise wrongful death attorneys of Carty Houst at 208-342-3501 or 877-293-9300 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.
