Dealing with the tragic death of a loved one might be one of the toughest challenges you’ll ever face. Aside from the grief and shock of losing someone you love, wrongful deaths bring a series of legal questions, confusion, and potential challenges.
After a wrongful death, you have the option of filing a claim for compensation. It might feel disrespectful or weird to be thinking about money in a time like this, but you might need to. After losing a family member in an accident, you will likely be facing hospital bills, funeral expenses, and losses such as income that you relied on.
It’s a good idea to pursue a claim, not only to cover the immediate expenses but also to help you with expenses and losses down the road that result from your loved one’s death. And if a legal case seems overwhelming, don’t panic. At Campbell, House, & Company, there’s a team of experienced and caring attorneys waiting to take the weight of your shoulders turning this chaotic time.
So, if you’ve decided to take legal action after a wrongful death in Monroe, Louisiana. It’s natural to wonder how much compensation you will receive.
First of all, it’s important to realize there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to financial awards in wrongful death cases. Because each case is unique, you should not rely on compensation calculators that circulate the internet or on results from other cases. Doing so could actually hurt your case by deceiving you into settling for less than what you deserve.
Instead, your best chance of optimum success is to work with a wrongful death attorney who truly cares about you and your case. Campbell, House, & Company is an experienced group of compassionate and highly competent attorneys ready to fight for your rights under Louisiana wrongful death law.
How To Understand What Your Case Is Worth
Your unique circumstances and the competence of your attorney will determine the outcome of your case. An attorney can help you figure out what you can reasonably claim in a Monroe, Louisiana case. To start determining your case’s value, your attorney will consider the following factors:
- The age of your loved one at the time of their death
- Your loved one’s physical health prior to the accident
- Your loved one’s earning capacity and potential – this includes their education, work experience, training, and physical abilities.
- Any household tasks that your loved one provided. For example, if your spouse cared for your children, you will most likely need to hire childcare now. You can claim the expenses related to childcare in your wrongful death case.
- Income that was provided by your loved one
- Benefits or gifts that you received because of your loved one, such as healthcare.
- If your loved one had dependents, the ages and circumstances of those dependents.
- Loss of inheritance, if applicable
- Funeral and burial costs
- Any medical expenses and hospital bills that resulted from your loved one’s injuries in the accident
- Your mental anguish caused by their death
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of affection
- Loss of moral support
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of attention
- Loss of sexual relationship
- Pain and suffering that your loved one experienced because of the other party’s negligence
You’ve probably noticed that some of these factors don’t have a set value. For example, while you might receive a hospital bill in a very tangible dollar amount, a damage such as loss of companionship doesn’t have a price. That’s where an experienced attorney is essential. An attorney can help argue that you deserve significant compensation for these non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
In addition to the above factors, you might also be able to claim punitive damages. While the above damages are considered compensation for something that was taken from you, punitive damages act as a punishment on the negligent party. For example, if your loved one was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, you can try to claim punitive damages as a way to penalize the drunk driver’s inexcusable recklessness. Or, if your loved one died in a workplace accident, your attorney might be able to prove that the accident could have been easily prevented if it weren’t for someone’s extreme negligence. Talk to your attorney about the possibility of claiming punitive damages in addition to your other compensation.
What’s Next?
We know that money won’t make life seem normal after losing a loved one, but your compensation awards can provide the financial stability and peace of mind you need to start moving forward. A successful compensation claim can also help you gain assurance that, to the extent that was possible, justice was done. Contact our Monroe office at (318) 855-0285 or online.
1815 Roselawn Ave
Monroe, LA 71201
(318) 855-0285
Fax: 505.764.9722