{"id":353548,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/wrongful-death-cases-children-and-the-elderly.html"},"modified":"2023-11-24T16:39:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T21:39:00","slug":"wrongful-death-cases-children-and-the-elderly","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/wrongful-death-cases-children-and-the-elderly.html","title":{"rendered":"Wrongful Death Cases: Children, Older Adults, and Vulnerable Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wrongful Death Cases: Children, Older Adults, and Vulnerable Adults<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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When someone dies in an accident or personal injury case, their family may file a wrongful death lawsuit. This doesn’t only apply to breadwinners of a household. You may also sue for the death of your child or elderly family member.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A death caused by someone else may be “wrongful” under civil law. This means if someone else is liable for the death, their family may file a wrongful death lawsuit.<\/p>\n

For grieving families, quantifying the loss of life can feel impossible or offensive. Yet courts and attorneys face the necessary task of calculating a fair award or settlement. Part of that calculation relates to who the decedent (deceased person) was. Losing a child, elderly parent, or vulnerable family member can affect the claim’s value.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No matter who you’ve lost, you deserve a fair outcome in a wrongful death case. A personal injury lawyer<\/a> can be a reliable resource in the wake of a loved one’s death. They can explain what you could expect in your case.<\/p>\n

Damages in Typical Wrongful Death Lawsuits<\/h2>\n

Wrongful death claims<\/a> are heard in civil court and typically brought by the surviving family members. In some states, the party must be a personal representative who files the legal action. They go to court hoping to seek compensation for the legal wrong. Compensation could never truly balance a loss of life, but it can give the family the means to at least address the practical side of their loss.<\/p>\n

Plaintiffs can recover both economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages can include the following:<\/p>\n