Because of the seriousness of wrongful death claims, the burden for proving the claim is strict. We’ll take your loss seriously, work diligently to meet that standard and get you as much peace of mind as we possibly can.
A wrongful death claim is one premised on the assertion that a person or entity carelessly or intentionally caused an accident or incident that led to a fatality. These claims can be emotionally wrenching, as loved ones must relive the life and the events that led to the death of a spouse, child, parent or sibling.
Although no amount of compensation can substitute for this type of loss, an award for damages can provide financial relief and some measure of support akin to what the decedent would reasonably have given the family or individual claimant, had he or she survived.
A wrongful death claim can originate from any type of underlying personal injury claim:
Wrongful death is a statutorily created cause of action. In Arizona, the decedent’s immediate family members are allowed to bring such a claim, as can the personal representative of the decedent’s estate on behalf of the estate, though the damage awards are different.
Immediate family members who may bring a wrongful death claim only include the spouse, parents, children and legal guardian. If there are no surviving immediate family members or no one brings a claim, the estate’s representative may bring one.
The damages in a wrongful death action vary widely depending on the claimant as well as the character of the decedent, the nature and strength of the relationship between family members and decedent, the circumstances of the tragedy, and the financial support the decedent would have provided. For instance, a spouse or the minor children of a fully employed decedent would likely settle or be awarded more than the elderly parents or adult children of the decedent who were no longer dependent on their father or mother for financial support.
If the conduct of the defendant was egregious or grossly negligent, an award of punitive damages might be awarded. Punitive damages are intended to “punish” the defendant for particularly bad behavior. Examples might include an excessively intoxicated driver who was driving over 100 miles per hour before colliding with the decedent’s vehicle, or a company that produced and marketed a product while concealing known and dangerous risks or complications in the interest of profit over safety.
Typical damages in a wrongful death claim include:
An economic forensic expert is often required to calculate the lost future earnings and other economic benefits, and to reduce it to present value so an award may be appropriately calculated.
For an action by the family, a jury or judge as trier-of-fact must also consider the decedent’s traits, such as industriousness, education, manner of living, prior earnings, health, and life expectancy, among other factors affecting his or her ability to earn a living.
Wrongful death claims involve many different factors to consider, especially when there is a large amount of compensation available, if there are numerous claimants, or whether there are issues concerning liability and proof of damages. Consult our experienced Phoenix wrongful death lawyers with expertise in these claims as well as the underlying type of a personal injury incident that led to the fatality.
