If someone close to you has passed away due to injuries caused by an accident, you might be wondering what the average settlement is for a wrongful death lawsuit. While a settlement can’t make up for the grief and profound loss you’re experiencing, it can help you stabilize your finances and cope with your emotions.
The Glastonbury wrongful death lawyers at Claggett, Sykes & Garza would say there isn’t an average amount you can expect to receive from a settlement. Your payment will be based on the economic and non-economic losses you’ve suffered due to your loved one’s passing. However, there are certain damages you can expect to receive. Let’s discuss them further.
Damages Included in the Average Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settlement
There are many forms of compensation you might receive from the average wrongful death lawsuit settlement. The damages you’re entitled to will depend on the financial losses, monetary expenses, and emotional challenges you’ve been burdened with due to your loved one’s passing.
When you work with an attorney, they’ll use your personal testimony, financial records, and bills to calculate how much your wrongful death settlement should be. If your suit is successful, you could receive the following remedies:
Medical Expenses
If your loved one was taken to the emergency room prior to their passing, you may have inherited their end-of-life medical bills. Without the help of an attorney, you might be forced to pay for your loved one’s care out-of-pocket. Fortunately, the average wrongful death settlement can cover the following expenses:
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital expenses
- Cost of medical procedures, surgeries, and other forms of treatment your loved one received prior to their passing
Funeral and Burial Costs
When a loved one passes away, it’s important to honor their memory and gather with family members to celebrate the life they lived. However, paying for an unexpected funeral and burial can be incredibly expensive. That’s why the average wrongful death settlement includes money to cover these expenses.
Loss of Financial Support
If you depended on the deceased for financial support, you might be worried about how you’ll pay rent, buy food, and afford other basic necessities. Luckily, a settlement can provide the money you need to cover costs and stay afloat until you can find another source of income.
Pain and Suffering
If your loved one’s fatal injuries were painful, you might find it upsetting that they experienced such discomfort during the last hours of their life. While these damages won’t change what happened or bring your loved one back, they can compensate for the pain the decedent experienced.
Mental Anguish
The average wrongful death settlement not only includes compensation for physical pain but also mental pain. If you’ve experienced mental anguish due to your sudden and traumatic loss, the money you receive from a lawsuit can help you cope with the psychological pain you’ve been burdened with.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Losing a close family member can seriously impact your ability to enjoy the activities and hobbies that once gave your life a sense of purpose. If complicated grief is impacting your ability to enjoy your life, these damages can help you manage the diminished quality of life you’re experiencing.
Punitive Damages
If your loved one passed away due to any accident caused by an individual who was acting extremely recklessly and with significant disregard for the safety of the people around them, you might be awarded punitive damages. These damages act to punish the at-fault party and can provide an extra degree of financial support for you.
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How to Get the Most out of Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settlement
There are several steps you can take to get the most out of your wrongful death case. Taking the following actions can help you navigate the complicated legal process and improve your chances of receiving a settlement that meets your needs:
- Save medical records, treatment bills, and other financial documents related to your loved one’s death
- Don’t talk to insurance company representatives or defense lawyers without an attorney
- Reach out to an attorney and take legal action as soon as you can
- Familiarize yourself with Connecticut’s two-year wrongful death statute of limitations
- Find an experienced attorney with a history of recovering fair settlements and jury verdicts
- Look for a law firm that offers comprehensive legal support and 24/7 availability
Finding and hiring a skilled lawyer you can trust is one of the most important things you can do. Having the right attorney by your side will give you the peace of mind you need to focus on processing your grief and planning your loved one’s memorial services.
Our Firm Can Fight for a Fair Wrongful Death Settlement on Your Behalf
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we understand how difficult it can be to lose a dear loved one. That’s why we’re committed to providing the compassionate and client-focused representation you need to cope with the mental health consequences you’re experiencing and replace the financial losses you’ve incurred.
Our firm has the highest personal injury verdict in Connecticut at $100 million dollars, so we’re confident that we have the experience and resources required to obtain all the damages included in the average settlement for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a wrongful death attorney and get started on your case.
