A “wrongful death” occurs when a person is killed due to the negligence or misconduct of another individual, company or entity. An action for wrongful death belongs to the decedent’s immediate family members (often called “distributees”). The most common distributees are surviving spouses and children, and sometimes parents. A suit for wrongful death may only be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. Every state has a civil “wrongful death statute,” or set of statutes, which establish the procedures for bringing wrongful death actions. Actions for personal injury, conscious pain and suffering, or expenses incurred prior to the decedent’s death are also brought by the personal representative. The damage awards from these actions belong to the estate and may pass to different parties as directed by the decedent’s will.
Elements of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In order to bring a successful wrongful death cause of action, the following elements must be present:
The death of a human being;
- Caused by another’s negligence, or with intent to cause harm;
- The survival of family members who are suffering monetary injury as a result of the death, and;
- The appointment of a personal representative for the decedent’s estate.
A wrongful death claim may arise out of a number of circumstances, such as in the following situations:
- Medical malpractice that results in decedent’s death;
- Automobile or airplane accident;
- Occupational exposure to hazardous conditions or substances;
- Criminal behavior;
- Death during a supervised activity.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Adjustments in the Jury's Award
Using Expert Testimony to Determine Pecuniary Loss
Plaintiffs are able to present expert testimony of economists to establish the value of the decedent to his family. Until recently, this testimony was not admissible when a housewife died, but that rule has changed. When the decedent is a housewife who was not employed outside the home, the financial impact on the survivors will not involve a loss of income, but increased expenditures to continue the services she was providing or would have provided if she had lived. Because jurors may not be knowledgeable regarding the monetary value of a housewife’s services, experts may aid the jury in this evaluation.
Punitive damages are awarded in cases of serious or malicious wrongdoing to punish the wrongdoer, or deter others from behaving similarly. In most states, a plaintiff may not recover punitive damages in a wrongful death action. There are some states, however, that have specific statutes that permit the recovery of punitive damages. In states that do not explicitly allow or disallow punitive damages in wrongful death actions, courts have held punitive damages permissible. An attorney will be able to advise you as to whether your state allows punitive damages.
The O’Brien Law Firm represents families of those killed by the negligence of car and truck drivers. We have handled wrongful death and Personal Injury cases involving car and truck drivers injuring and/or causing the death of bicylcists and motorcyclists.
Aaron O’Brien helps families who have lost loved ones or seen them injured after the negligence of car and truck drivers.
He has handled wrongful death and Personal Injury cases involving car and truck drivers injuring or causing the death of bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Recently, Attorney Aaron O’Brien, in a car vs. biker crash causing death case, wrote a warning to the insurance company for the driver. Mr. O’Brien asserted boldly that although it may not have been done yet in Florida, he intended to seek and collect punitive damages from the driver, whom O’Brien alleged was texting and driving at or near the time of the crash.
The insurance company bitterly scoffed at such a suggestion. But not anymore – a Twentieth Judicial Circuit court judge here in Southwest Florida has ruled that punitive damages can be sought in a case involving the allegation of texting and driving resulting in the injury and death of a cyclist.