What types of damages are recoverable in a wrongful death case?
California law provides that the damages recoverable in a wrongful death claim are for economic and non-economic loss. Economic loss damages are for such things as the past and future loss of financial support provided by the decedent before death, funeral and burial expenses, and the dollar value of lost household services. Damages of these types are often based upon the testimony of expert economists. Noneconomic damages are recoverable for the loss of a loved one’s companionship, comfort, care, affection, love, moral support, guidance, mentoring and society. There is no fixed standard for deciding the amount of non-economic damages. The facts of each case are different.
