What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Losing someone you love without warning creates a kind of emptiness that words can’t fully capture. It feels as though the life you knew—your routines, your plans, your sense of safety—was shattered in a single moment. At Brassfield & Krueger, we’ve spent more than 75 years standing beside families facing this same heartbreak, and we understand how overwhelming it can be to even think about the next step. While nothing can truly make up for having someone ripped from your life, a wrongful death claim exists to ease some of the practical and emotional burdens that follow such a devastating loss.

Here are the types of damages a wrongful death claim can help you recover:

• Loss of financial support: Provides compensation to help stabilize your family after losing the income and future earnings your loved one would have contributed.
• Medical expenses: Covers the cost of any medical care your loved one received before their passing.
• Funeral and burial expenses: Helps relieve the immediate financial pressure of laying your loved one to rest.
• Pain and suffering: Acknowledges the emotional anguish, grief, and mental toll that come with an unexpected loss.
• Loss of companionship or support: Recognizes the personal, irreplaceable role your loved one played in your life, whether as a partner, parent, or child.
• Punitive damages: May be available when the at-fault party’s conduct was especially reckless or intentional, serving to punish wrongdoing and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Understanding these damages is the first step toward bringing some stability back into a life that suddenly feels unrecognizable.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Damages from a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Illinois, a wrongful death claim is brought for the benefit of the family members who are most affected by the loss. The goal is to make sure the people who depended on your loved one, emotionally, financially, or both, receive the support they need moving forward.

Typically, damages are awarded to:

• The surviving spouse who may face both emotional devastation and the loss of shared income, partnership, and household support.
• Surviving children who may lose a parent’s guidance, financial stability, and emotional care.
• Parents of the deceased, in cases where an adult or minor child is lost and the parents are directly impacted.

Courts closely examine each person’s relationship with the deceased, how much they relied on the deceased, and how the loss has affected their daily life.

What Factors Affect the Value of a Wrongful Death Claim?

Every case is unique, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” amount for a settlement. Several specific factors influence the value of a claim:

• The age and health of the person who passed away.
• Their expected lifetime earnings and financial contributions to the family.
• The nature of the relationship between the survivor and the deceased.
• The circumstances of the death, including the level of negligence or recklessness involved.
• The emotional impact on the family and the loss of companionship.

How Does an Attorney Help Maximize Your Damages?

An experienced attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. They begin by calculating the true, full value of your losses, including future financial contributions and non-economic suffering.

A lawyer will also handle all negotiations with insurance companies, which often make lowball offers to grieving families. They build a strong case by gathering essential evidence, including medical records and testimony from financial and medical professionals, to prove the full extent of your damages. Perhaps most importantly, having an attorney handle the legal burden allows your family to focus on healing.

Pursue Damages That Help Your Family Heal

While a lawsuit cannot bring back your loved one, it can provide your family with the financial stability they need to move forward. The compensation secured can pay off mounting bills, secure your children’s future education, and cover other unexpected costs that arise after a loss.

Seeking damages is also a way to hold the responsible party accountable and honor your loved one’s memory. It allows your family to find a sense of justice and closure.

You do not have to go through this alone. The law is on your side to help your family find a way forward. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to our compassionate team at Brassfield & Krueger for a free, no-obligation consultation.