Brooklyn, NY Personal
Injury Lawyers

(718) 395-6126

142 Joralemon Street, Suite 500
Brooklyn, NY 11201

  • Home
  • Credentials Matter
  • Practice Areas
    • Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyers
    • Car Accident Lawyers in Brooklyn
    • Brooklyn Workers Compensation Lawyers
    • Medical Malpractice Lawyers of Brooklyn Persoonal Injury Law
    • Wrongful Death Lawyers in Brooklyn NY
    • Mesothelioma
  • Blog
  • Free Case Evaluation

November 28, 2019 by admin

Can a wrongful death lawsuit include punitive damages?

Personal Injury Attorney

If you lost a loved one unexpectedly in an avoidable accident, you may feel angry at the person responsible and may wish to punish them. This is common. If the person is not arrested and convicted of killing your loved one, you may be seeking ways to punish them in a lawful manner, such as filing a wrongful death lawsuit against them. In some cases, punitive damages may be warranted, and your wrongful death lawyer may suggest that they be included. Though money can’t reverse time, it can make it difficult for the perpetrator to enjoy a high standard of living if they must pay an enormous sum of money to the surviving family members. An attorney understand the delicate nature of losing someone in an act of negligence. 

What are punitive damages?

Not every state allows plaintiffs to receive punitive damages in successful wrongful death lawsuits. Also, not every case merits seeking punitive damages. After a careful review of the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s passing, our wrongful death can provide you with a clearer understanding of whether or not your request to the court should include punitive damages. In essence, it is a method of further punishing the defendant in direct proportion to the egregious wrong that they committed. Punitive damages are assessed in addition to what is known as compensatory damages. For example, if the defendant is accused of intentionally killing your loved one in an act of road rage and they subsequently fled the scene, your wrongful death lawyer may conclude that punitive damages should be assessed as part of the lawsuit.

What are compensatory damages?

Compensatory damages are at the heart of a wrongful death lawsuit. There are two types of compensatory damages, either or both of which might be included in your lawsuit, according to the advice of your wrongful death lawyer.

  1.   Special damages. These types of damages have a fixed dollar value. For example, the total cost of the medical treatment provided to your loved one that unfortunately did not save them, the funeral and burial costs, the amount of income they would have earned right up until retirement had they not passed away, etc. Special damages can be readily documented with receipts and invoices.
  2.   General damages. These types of damages are not as easily documentable and often require the insight of a seasoned wrongful death lawyer who bases the itemized values on legal precedents, recent jury awards, and the victim’s circumstances resulting from the harm perpetrated against them. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and anxiety. If the victim did not immediately succumb to their injuries, the general damages may be greater.

To discuss your case with our wrongful death lawyer, like a wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, contact us today.

 


 

Thank you to the experts at Rispoli Law, PLLC for their insight into wrongful death cases.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: wrongful death lawyer

  • Home
  • Credentials Matter
  • Practice Areas
    • Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyers
    • Car Accident Lawyers in Brooklyn
    • Brooklyn Workers Compensation Lawyers
    • Medical Malpractice Lawyers of Brooklyn Persoonal Injury Law
    • Wrongful Death Lawyers in Brooklyn NY
    • Mesothelioma
  • Blog
  • Free Case Evaluation

BROOKLYN, NY PERSONAL INJURY RESOURCES

Brooklyn Personal Injury Law Firm
Brooklyn Personal Injury Attorney
Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers
Brooklyn Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Other Resources


Washington DC Medical Injury Lawyer
Service Truck Accident Lawyer, DC
DC Slip and Fall Lawyer
Elizabeth, NJ Workers Comp Attorney
Who is the Top Bankruptcy Lawyer in Cypress, TX
Truck Accident Lawyer Las Vegas NV
MSPB Appeals Attorney
Work Injury Lawyer Denver CO
Birth Injury Accident Lawyer Los Angeles CA

Free Consultation

Request a free consultation with one of Brooklyn, NY's premier personal injury law firms.

Request Free Consultation

© COPYRIGHT 2023 BROOKLYN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS | POWERED BY Matador Solutions - Digital Marketing Company