• Compensatory Damages
• Punitive Damages
• Limits on Damages

Compensatory damages are monies awarded by a judge or jury that are intended to repay a victim’s family for the cost of medical care, funeral, burial and other expenses they have incurred as a direct result of the wrongful death. Generally, families of the deceased parties validate their compensatory damages in court with documented receipts for the services and costs that they paid for.

Compensatory damages may also be granted to compensate a deceased party’s loved ones for work income that the victim would have earned if they had lived. Lost income can be calculated out for decades depending on the age of the victim at the time of their death and his or her skill level. Courts have also been known to award compensatory damages for the worth of an individual's housekeeping or child-care services. Also included in compensatory damages are awards that might be justified on the basis of grief and loss of companionship.