Calculating Wrongful Death Damages in Los Angeles

Wrongful death damages in Los Angeles compensate families for both economic and emotional losses. Understanding valuation is essential.

If you were injured in Los Angeles, the steps below can help protect your claim.

Wrongful death damages compensate surviving family members for the losses they suffer due to their loved one’s death.

Economic Damages
These are calculable financial losses: loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, loss of gifts and benefits family members would have received, funeral and burial expenses, and reasonable value of household services the deceased provided.

Loss of Support Calculation
Courts consider the deceased’s age, health, earning capacity, work-life expectancy, and spending habits. Experts calculate the present value of future support family members lost.

Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for intangible losses: loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support. These damages often exceed economic losses.

No Cap on Damages
California doesn’t cap wrongful death damages in most cases. The only exception is medical malpractice cases, which have caps on non-economic damages.

Factors Affecting Value
The deceased’s age, health, and life expectancy, earning capacity and career trajectory, relationship quality with survivors, number and age of dependents, and degree of defendant’s fault all affect case value.

Children’s Loss
When a parent dies, children lose decades of support, guidance, and companionship. These claims often have substantial value due to the long duration of loss.

Spouse’s Loss
Surviving spouses lose financial support, companionship, and consortium. Younger spouses with longer life expectancy often receive higher awards.

Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.

Estate vs. Wrongful Death
The estate can file a survival action for damages the deceased personally suffered before death, including pain and suffering and medical expenses. This is separate from wrongful death damages.

Insurance Coverage
Most wrongful death claims are covered by insurance: auto insurance for traffic deaths, homeowners insurance for premises deaths, and professional liability for medical malpractice deaths.

Negotiation vs. Trial
Most cases settle, but settlement offers are often low. An attorney skilled in wrongful death valuation fights for fair compensation through negotiation or trial.

Expert Testimony
Economists calculate lost financial support, vocational experts determine earning capacity, and life care planners project future needs of dependents. These experts maximize recovery.

Don’t Accept Lowball Offers
Insurance companies often make quick, inadequate settlement offers. These rarely reflect the true value of your loss. Consult an experienced attorney before accepting any offer.

Your family deserves full compensation for the devastating loss you’ve suffered. An experienced wrongful death attorney ensures you receive justice.