Calculating Damages in Lehi Wrongful Death Cases

Navigating a wrongful death claim can be complex, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Let Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks provide the legal support and advocacy your family needs during this difficult time.

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a heartbreaking experience, and while no amount of money can truly compensate for such a loss, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help families secure financial stability and hold the responsible party accountable. 

In Lehi, calculating damages in wrongful death cases involves assessing both economic and non-economic losses, including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional impact on surviving family members can prove to be a straining and not always straight-forward process. 

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, our experienced wrongful death attorneys work closely with families to ensure they receive the full compensation they deserve. We understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of those who have lost a loved one.

Economic Damages in Lehi Wrongful Death Cases

Economic damages in a wrongful death case refer to the measurable financial losses that surviving family members endure due to the untimely passing of their loved one. 

These damages are designed to compensate for the death’s direct financial impact, ensuring that families are not burdened with unexpected costs or loss of financial support. In Lehi, wrongful death claims typically include a variety of economic losses, all of which must be carefully calculated to secure fair compensation.

One of the most substantial components of economic damages is the loss of income and financial support the deceased would have provided. If the victim was a primary earner, their family may suffer significant financial hardship due to the sudden loss of wages. Courts consider several factors when calculating this loss:

• The deceased’s age, occupation, and salary
• Expected career trajectory, including raises and promotions
• Lost benefits, such as health insurance and retirement contributions

Another critical aspect of economic damages is medical expenses incurred prior to death. Many wrongful death cases involve victims who received emergency medical care before passing. These costs can be overwhelming, including:

• Ambulance transportation and emergency room treatment
• Surgeries, intensive care, and hospital stays
• Medications and life-supporting treatments

Funeral and burial expenses are also considered in economic damages. Funerals can be costly, and families should not have to bear this financial burden alone. Expenses that may be recovered include:

• Funeral service costs, including casket or urn expenses
• Burial plots, headstones, and cremation services
• Associated fees for memorial arrangements

Additionally, wrongful death cases may account for the loss of household services. The deceased may have provided essential contributions to the home that now require outside assistance, such as:

• Childcare and daily caregiving
• Home maintenance, cleaning, and repairs
• Cooking, shopping, and other domestic tasks

Calculating economic damages in a wrongful death case requires a detailed financial assessment. At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we work with economic experts to determine the full extent of financial losses, ensuring families in Lehi receive the compensation they need to secure their future.

Non-Economic Damages in Lehi Wrongful Death Cases

Non-economic damages in wrongful death cases compensate surviving family members for the intangible losses they suffer due to the loss of their loved one. 

Unlike economic damages, which cover financial losses, non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological impact of the death. While these damages are not directly monetary, they are just as significant in helping families cope with their loss.

One of the most profound forms of non-economic damages is loss of companionship and consortium. Losing a loved one affects spouses, children, and parents in deeply personal ways. Courts consider factors such as:

• The closeness of the relationship between the deceased and surviving family members
• The role the deceased played in providing emotional support and guidance
• The impact of the loss on the mental well-being of surviving family members

Another key area of non-economic damages is emotional pain and suffering. Families endure immense grief and trauma when a wrongful death occurs. Compensation may be awarded for:

• Psychological distress, including depression and anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment of life due to the absence of a loved one
• The enduring sorrow and anguish of never seeing a loved one again

Children who lose a parent often face unique challenges, leading to compensation for loss of parental guidance and support. This damage accounts for:

• The lack of future advice, mentorship, and emotional support
• The impact on a child’s development and overall well-being
• The financial burden of seeking professional counseling or therapy

While non-economic damages are more challenging to quantify than economic damages, they are crucial in ensuring that families receive full compensation for their suffering. Our firm advocates for Lehi families to recover the maximum possible compensation, helping them find justice and closure after a wrongful death.

Punitive Damages in Utah Wrongful Death Cases

Punitive damages in Utah wrongful death cases serve a different purpose than economic and non-economic damages. Rather than compensating the surviving family members for their losses, punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious behavior and deter similar misconduct. 

While not awarded in every wrongful death case, punitive damages may be available when the defendant’s actions were intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent.

Utah law allows punitive damages when there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with malice or extreme disregard for human life. Examples of situations where punitive damages may be awarded include:

• Drunk driving fatalities where the at-fault driver had an extremely high blood alcohol concentration or a history of DUIs.
• Fatal workplace accidents caused by an employer knowingly violating safety regulations.
• Medical malpractice cases where a doctor intentionally ignores a patient’s well-being, leading to wrongful death.

Unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to make the family whole, punitive damages are meant to penalize the wrongdoer. However, Utah law places limits on these damages in most cases. The amount awarded is typically based on the severity of the defendant’s misconduct and their financial status.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we help Lehi families determine whether punitive damages may apply in their wrongful death case. If extreme negligence or deliberate wrongdoing led to your loved one’s death, our attorneys will aggressively pursue the maximum compensation available, ensuring that justice is served.

How Our Firm Assists in Valuing Wrongful Death Claims in Lehi

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we understand that no amount of compensation can truly make up for the loss of a loved one. However, obtaining a fair settlement or verdict is crucial for ensuring financial stability and holding negligent parties accountable. 

Our firm takes a comprehensive approach to valuing wrongful death claims in Lehi, ensuring that every aspect of your loss is carefully considered and aggressively pursued.

Assessing Economic Damages

One of the primary components of a wrongful death claim is economic damages, which represent the financial losses suffered by surviving family members. Our attorneys work closely with financial experts, forensic accountants, and industry professionals to determine the full extent of these damages, which may include:

• Medical expenses related to the deceased’s final care, including hospital bills and emergency treatment.
• Lost income and future earnings that the deceased would have provided over their lifetime, including expected raises and benefits.
• Funeral and burial costs to ensure families are not left with significant financial burdens after their loss.

Using expert testimony and detailed financial projections, we ensure that economic damages are accurately calculated, providing a realistic picture of the long-term financial impact of the wrongful death.

Evaluating Non-Economic Losses

Beyond financial losses, wrongful death claims also account for the emotional and psychological toll on surviving family members. Our firm carefully evaluates these non-economic damages, which can be more challenging to quantify but are just as important. These include:

• Loss of companionship and emotional support that the deceased provided to their spouse, children, or other dependents.
• Pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members due to the emotional trauma of losing a loved one.
• Loss of parental guidance and mentorship for children who relied on the deceased for care and support.

We work with mental health professionals and grief counselors to demonstrate the profound impact of these losses, ensuring they are valued correctly in settlement negotiations or court proceedings.

Determining Punitive Damages When Applicable

In cases involving extreme negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future. Our firm investigates whether punitive damages are applicable by gathering evidence of reckless conduct, such as drunk driving, workplace safety violations, or willful negligence. If these damages apply, we aggressively advocate for their inclusion in the claim to maximize compensation.

Building a Strong Case for Full Compensation

Our firm meticulously approaches wrongful death cases, gathering all necessary evidence to build a compelling claim. This includes:

• Collecting medical records, financial statements, and expert testimony to support the claim’s valuation.
• Consulting with economists and life care planners to accurately project the financial impact of the loss.
• Negotiating with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement while fully preparing to take the case to trial if needed.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we are committed to ensuring families in Lehi receive the compensation they deserve. If you have lost a loved one due to negligence, we are here to provide the legal guidance and advocacy you need during this difficult time.