Compensation In Mississippi Wrongful Death Lawsuits

The loss of a loved one due to the negligence or intentional wrongdoing of another person is one of the worst, if not the worst, losses a person can experience in their lifetime. When a terrible accident occurs due to the fault of someone else and that results in the death of a loved one, the victim’s family members, specifically their spouse or children, have rights and options, including bringing a lawsuit for damages as a result of the terrible loss. It is, therefore, helpful for those who have lost a loved one in an accident to understand some of the typical types of compensation they may be entitled to when bringing or contemplating bringing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Funeral and Burial Costs

Funeral and burial costs for the death of a loved one are costs that we all dread thinking about, and often do not contemplate until a death actually happens. The reality is that funeral and burial costs can be very costly to the family of the victim of an accident. Under Mississippi wrongful death laws, the family members of the deceased person may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial costs.

Medical Bills

Medical treatment is also often very costly, depending on the injuries sustained, the treatment provided, and the length of treatment.  The family of the deceased accident victim may also be able to recover the cost of their medical bills if they bring a wrongful death lawsuit.

Pain and Suffering

“Pain and suffering” are a type of damages referred to as a “non-economic damage.” It is essentially compensation for mental anguish (often also referred to as “emotional distress”) and/or physical pain. Pain and suffering damages in the context of a wrongful death case compensate the person who brings the case for their emotional pain experienced as a result of the loss of their loved one.

Loss of a Parent

Damages for loss of a parent are awarded to compensate a child for the loss of resources that comes as a consequence of the death of their parent. These damages are based on the deceased parent’s salary and the duration that they would be earning that salary. If the child of the deceased parent is not old enough to bring a wrongful death lawsuit because they are still a minor, their surviving parent or the executor to the deceased parent’s estate may bring one.

Loss of Consortium

“Loss of consortium” damages are intended to compensate a deceased accident victim’s spouse for the loss of companionship with the deceased. A decedent’s spouse may be entitled to loss of consortium damages for things like the loss of companionship with the decedent, loss of performance of services in the marriage (such as taking care of children and necessary work in the home), and even loss of sexual relations.

Determining Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

If your loved one has passed away as a result of another’s negligence or willful actions, you may be entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation for each type of damages that may be awarded in each case depends on the facts of the particular case. An experienced Mississippi wrongful death lawyer can help walk you through what damages you might be entitled to in your Mississippi wrongful death case, as well as your rights and options. Contact the experienced Batesville personal injury lawyers at Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe today for your free and confidential consultation to learn about your rights and options and to see if they can help.