Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence may be the hardest thing that you will go through. You may be wondering what the recoverable wrongful death damages are to help you support the family left behind after this incident.

Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages | Two Categories

In a Texas wrongful death case, there are two categories of monetary damages available for recovery. The first type is punitive damages. These are designed to punish those responsible for the death. These are only available when the person responsible acted willfully or the death was the result of his or her gross negligence.

The second is compensatory damages. As its name implies, these compensate the surviving victims in a wrongful death action. Common types of compensatory damages include:

• Loss of future earnings.
• Funeral expenses and medical bills.
• Loss of companionship.
• Emotional pain and suffering (sometimes referred to as mental anguish).
• Loss of inheritance.
• Loss of services (such as the support, care and advice the victim may have continued to receive if their loved one survived).

Download Our Wrongful Death Guide

Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages | Negligence

When loved ones come in and we bring a claim, they always want to know what are the wrongful death case damages that they can seek. The first element of damages is called wrongful death damages. Those are for the legal heirs such as the spouse or the children. It matters whether they’re adult children or minor children. We also have survival claims, and that’s regarding the loved one who passed away. Did he suffer as a result of the injuries from the negligent acts that caused his death? Those are also damages that are going to be brought. Again, it’s important to meet with a lawyer to go over those to make sure that they are all properly brought in the lawsuit.

Do you have any further questions about the recoverable wrongful death damages that you can get? Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our knowledgeable Houston wrongful death lawyer Hector Longoria. Call today for a free consultation.