What damages can my family recover in my wrongful death suit?

After a loved one’s life is cut tragically short by an accident or an intentional act of harm by another person or
group, you can take action. The law allows the surviving family members of fatal accident victims a chance to
collect damages from the responsible party. In order to recover the full damages you and your family are owed, you
need a competent and dedicated wrongful death lawyer who will fight for you relentlessly and stand up to the person
who did this.

Burger Law’s team of wrongful death attorneys have helped families and individuals in St. Louis and across Missouri
and Illinois recover damages for their wrongful death and personal injury claims. We are passionate about helping
victims move forward after the profound loss of a wrongful death and have the skill necessary to negotiate a
settlement or present your case in trial. Discover how we can help you and your family in this critical time and get
one step closer to recovering the damages you are owed by contacting us today. Call or send us a message now.

Wrongful Death Damages

Understanding Wrongful Death Damage Terms

In a wrongful death lawsuit, just as it is in a personal injury suit, the person filing a claim–known as the
plaintiff in legal terms–asks for the party responsible for their loved one’s death–referred to as the
defendant–to pay damages to the plaintiff. Damages refers to the monetary
compensation awarded or paid to the plaintiff as a remedy for harm caused by the defendant.

Damages refers to the financial compensation in a wrongful death case as a whole, but damages can be further divided
between economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are objective, measurable losses. The cost of economic
damages (also referred to as specific damages) can be definitively calculated. Damages of this nature
either involve money that the victim has had to spend, bills and debts of the victim, or income or other sources of
financial compensation that the victim otherwise would have received but is now unable to.

Non-economic damages (or general damages) subjective and cannot be definitively calculated. This type of
damage is something one cannot put a price tag on. These are not costs incurred or money lost, but rather more
abstract forms of loss and suffering.

Damages My Family Can Recover in a Wrongful Death Suit

A wrongful death case comes with complex forms of physical, emotional, and financial loss and suffering. In the case
of a wrongful death claim, harm was not only done to you, the surviving family member filing the claim (as well as
other members of your family), but was also done to your deceased loved one prior to their death. The exact type and
quantity of damages you may be awarded in your wrongful death case depend on many factors. However, damages you may
be able to collect in your wrongful death case include:

Economic Damages

• Medical costs for treatment of the decedent prior to their death
• Funeral costs
• Burial or cremation costs
• Lost wages
• Lost future wages
• Lost benefits
• Cost of counseling and other care for grieving survivors

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering of the decedent prior to their death
• Mental anguish of losing a loved one
• Loss of support
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of love and companionship
• Loss of support and guidance
• Loss of other services that the decedent would have  performed

Wrongful Death Attorney St. Louis | Burger Law

After someone you love is killed in an accident due to another person’s negligent behavior, you have the power to
hold that person accountable in a wrongful death suit in Missouri or Illinois. This suit gives you the chance to
collect monetary damages to compensate you and your family for the suffering you have experienced. No one
purports that this is equal to the life of the one you lost, but it can help you and your family meet your
everyday needs while you mourn your loss and it can help punish the person or group that caused your loved one’s
death. In order to collect the complete damages allowed to you by law, you need an experienced wrongful death
lawyer who is ready to do what it takes to get you a full recovery.

The wrongful death attorneys of Burger Law have helped hundreds of families in Missouri, Illinois, and throughout
the Midwest recover damages and hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. If you have lost a loved
one in an accident or an intentional act, you may have a wrongful death case. Burger Law’s skilled wrongful
death lawyers in St. Louis can help you recover. Call us today to discuss your case and find out how we can help
you recover damages for you and your family. Speak to an attorney today at or online.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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