Every personal-injury case involves a certain level of emotional trauma and physical hardship, but few situations can compare to the overwhelming stress of a wrongful death. Losing a loved one due to another person’s negligent or reckless behavior can be frustrating to say the least.

filing statement of damages for personal injury, wrongful death.

Plaintiffs in these cases are often reluctant to file a claim. After all, no amount of money can bring your loved one back. The truth, however, is that there are a number of good reasons to file a lawsuit against a negligent person who caused a wrongful death.

Perhaps most important, any recovered compensation can help you pay for funeral arrangements. If the deceased was a vital source of income, then the damages can cover present and future wages. In addition to these, bringing a wrongful death claim can save others from a similar fate.

If your loved one died as a result of another person or company’s negligence, then an Albuquerque personal-injury lawyer from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC may be able to help. Our attorneys have more than 32 years of combined experience, and we understand how to find success in court. To schedule a consultation, call us today at 505-207-4401.

Damages from Wrongful Death Lawsuits

No two wrongful death cases are alike, so it can be challenging to predict an outcome to a particular lawsuit. Damages in successful wrongful death cases fall under three categories: punitive, economic and non-economic. Read on to learn more about these three classifications.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are any finances the deceased would have been able to contribute to the survivors if he or she was alive. These also include expenses related to the death, such as medical and funeral costs. Expected earnings, pension plans, medical coverage and even a lost inheritance as a result of the death of the victim can fall under economic damages.

These damages, in many cases, are often essential because their absence can severely impact the quality of life of survivors. Often, the death of an income earner can put a family in substantial debt, which is why it is so important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover more personal issues, such as mental and physical pain and suffering, as well as the loss of care, guidance and nurturing from the deceased. These can sometimes be challenging to demonstrate, but they are important to pursue regardless.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are often involved in cases when the defendant behaved in a reckless manner, which directly contributed to the death. These are sometimes more difficult to recover than non-economic and economic damages, but they may play a role in your case depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

If you would like to consult an Albuquerque personal-injury attorney about a wrongful death case, contact the Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC today for a free consultation at 505-207-4401. We can evaluate your situation to determine if you have valid grounds for a lawsuit.