Wrongful Death Settlement Calculator
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Wrongful Death Settlement Calculator
Estimate potential settlement values for wrongful death claims. This calculator provides a rough estimate and is not a substitute for legal advice.
Estimated Settlement Value
$0.00
Understanding Wrongful Death Settlements
A wrongful death claim arises when a person dies as a result of the negligent or intentional act of another party. These claims are brought by the surviving family members or the estate of the deceased to seek compensation for their losses. The process can be complex, and a wrongful death settlement aims to provide financial relief to those left behind.
The value of a wrongful death settlement is not fixed and depends on numerous factors specific to each case. It is determined by considering various categories of damages, which are intended to compensate for the losses directly resulting from the death.
Key Components of a Wrongful Death Settlement Calculation:
-
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: This includes the income the deceased would have earned if they had lived. It considers their current salary, potential for raises and promotions, and their remaining expected working years.
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Medical Expenses: These are the costs incurred for medical treatment the deceased received from the time of the injury until their death. This can include hospital stays, doctor's visits, medications, and rehabilitation services.
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Funeral and Burial Expenses: The costs associated with the funeral, burial, cremation, memorial services, and other related expenses are recoverable.
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Pain and Suffering (of the Decedent): In some jurisdictions, compensation can be awarded for the physical pain, mental anguish, and suffering the deceased experienced from the time of the injury until their death. This is often referred to as "survival action" damages.
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Loss of Consortium: This compensates the surviving spouse and sometimes children for the loss of companionship, affection, support, and guidance from the deceased.
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Punitive Damages: In cases where the defendant's conduct was particularly egregious, malicious, or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future, rather than to compensate for a specific loss. These are often calculated as a multiplier of other damages, and their availability and calculation vary significantly by jurisdiction.
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator estimates a potential settlement range by summing the quantifiable economic damages (Lost Wages, Medical Expenses, Funeral Costs) and adding non-economic damages (Pain and Suffering, Loss of Consortium) along with potential punitive damages. The formula used is a simplified aggregation:
(Lost Wages + Medical Expenses + Funeral Costs + Decedent's Pain & Suffering + Survivors' Loss of Consortium) * (1 + Punitive Damages Multiplier)
The Punitive Damages Multiplier is a factor (e.g., 0.5 for 50%) that can increase the base settlement value if punitive damages are deemed applicable and are calculated as a percentage of the compensatory damages. A multiplier of 0 means no punitive damages are considered.
Disclaimer:
This calculator is a general tool for illustrative purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The actual value of a wrongful death claim can vary significantly due to specific legal statutes, case law, evidence presented, the jurisdiction where the claim is filed, and the skill of the legal representation. For an accurate assessment of your specific situation, it is crucial to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney.
function calculateSettlement() {
var lostWages = parseFloat(document.getElementById("lostWages").value) || 0;
var medicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicalExpenses").value) || 0;
var funeralCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("funeralCosts").value) || 0;
var painAndSuffering = parseFloat(document.getElementById("painAndSuffering").value) || 0;
var lossOfConsortium = parseFloat(document.getElementById("lossOfConsortium").value) || 0;
var punitiveDamagesFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById("punitiveDamagesFactor").value) || 0;
// Basic validation to ensure inputs are not negative, though min="0″ handles this on input type
if (lostWages < 0 || medicalExpenses < 0 || funeralCosts < 0 || painAndSuffering < 0 || lossOfConsortium < 0 || punitiveDamagesFactor < 0) {
alert("Please enter non-negative values for all fields.");
return;
}
var compensatoryDamages = lostWages + medicalExpenses + funeralCosts + painAndSuffering + lossOfConsortium;
var punitiveDamages = compensatoryDamages * punitiveDamagesFactor;
var totalSettlement = compensatoryDamages + punitiveDamages;
// Format the result as currency
var formattedSettlement = totalSettlement.toLocaleString('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 2,
maximumFractionDigits: 2
});
document.getElementById("settlementResult").innerText = formattedSettlement;
}