Pennsylvania law recognizes that fatal accidents cause both financial and emotional damages. While medical bills are easy to count, the law also values the deep bonds that a tragedy breaks. How does the legal system value the personal losses that a parent, child or surviving spouse suffers after a wrongful death?
Loss of society and comfort
Noneconomic damages pay for the broken relationship between the deceased and their family. This category focuses on the loss of daily friendship, affection and social time that defined the home. This includes the deep emotional impact of a person’s permanent absence.
Loss of moral guidance
In addition, children who lose a parent suffer the loss of life training and moral teaching during their youth. Compensation can be pursued for the guidance and advice the parent would have given. This loss addresses the emotional support a child needs to reach a healthy adulthood.
Loss of household services
When a family member dies, survivors also lose the physical help that kept the home running. This can include tasks such as child care, home repairs, cooking and managing money. While these chores have a market value, they represent a personal loss of the daily help of the deceased.
Loss of spousal consortium
Further, a surviving spouse may seek damages for the total destruction of their marriage relationship. This specific loss covers the deprivation of a partner’s affection, help and intimacy.
Finding balance in the wake of tragedy
Restoring balance when a tragedy shatters a home can be overwhelming. Since pursuing justice for a loved one’s wrongful death can be complex, seeking guidance from an advocate may help a family handle various legal challenges. Also, having legal counsel may help ensure that every part of a family’s loss receives the proper attention.
