Experiencing a loved one’s untimely death is one of life’s most challenging moments, especially if it is a wrongful death caused by a medical error. In the United States, medical malpractice accounts for 9.5 percent of fatalities every year, making it the most common cause of death in the country, according to a study from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Meanwhile, beyond the statistical numbers, families are often left unsure of how they will seek justice after the untimely death of a loved one. Here are some compensations available for the family of victims in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Medical bills
Victims of medical malpractice typically incur substantial hospital expenses during attempts to save their lives. Compensation can significantly help alleviate the financial strain on the bereaved family, ensuring they do not fall into overwhelming debt following their loved one’s passing.
Funeral costs
By pursuing a wrongful death action, family members can receive much-needed compensation to cover funeral expenses. This financial aid can include service and burial costs, ensuring families that laying their loved one to rest does not become another overwhelming financial burden.
Lost wages and benefits
The financial impact of suddenly losing a loved one can be devastating, mainly if they are their family’s primary provider. Compensation for wrongful death may include the earnings the deceased would have contributed to the family if they had lived, as well as other essential benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings.
Medical professionals are trusted to deliver the highest standard of care to their patients, which is why losing a loved one to medical negligence brings profound grief to bereaved families.
Nothing can undo the devastating loss families experience in wrongful death cases, but understanding the compensations available for families can help empower them to take the necessary legal steps to hold parties accountable, retrieve a sense of justice and eventually move forward after this challenging journey.