How does one get beyond the death of a loved one due to another party’s negligence? Such a task may prove to be one of the most challenging in life. However, one may never recover from the hardship and grief caused by a tragic development.
Whether the death occurred in a motor vehicle collision, construction accident or work incident is a moot point. Your family hurts as your loved one’s death led to a downward spiral in your household. However, you must understand the legal options and compensation available in pursuing a wrongful death action.
Medical expenses and loss of companionship
With negligence as the prevailing factor in a loved one’s death, families may seek compensation related to matters that include:
- Medical expenses: Doctors attempted to save your loved one’s life, and they did all that they could. However, your loved one succumbed to the injuries hours, days or months after the incident. Mounting medical bills must be addressed and resolved.
- Funeral, burial and end-of-life costs: Such costs in New Jersey may be from $10,000 to $27,000. They may encompass expenses related to the funeral home, memorial services, minister fees and obtaining the death certificate.
- Sorrow, grief and anguish: Such feelings may run deep and lead to depression, seriously affecting your mental health.
- Loss of companionship: Great personal loss for spouses and children may overwhelm them due to the death of a loved one. They also have lost the care, affection and comfort they would have continued to receive.
- Lost income and services: Your loved one no longer will contribute financially to your family. This could lead to a dramatic financial setback for your household.
It is not right that your loved one died. Now, you and your family must deal with the aftermath of a tragedy. It likely may prove to be one of the biggest challenges you will face.
A settlement helps in certain ways
Granted, a settlement in a wrongful death action will never replace your loved one. But it can help you do your best to overcome the many personal and financial challenges you and your family face. A monetary settlement only represents some of the help you will need.