Non-Economic Damages From A Wrongful Death

Non-Economic Damages from a Wrongful Death

In today's post, we go over Non-Economic Damages from a Wrongful Death.

When a loved one dies due to the negligence of another, thinking about money can seem crass. Most people don’t want to “cash in” on the death of a close family member. However, the truth is there are practical things to consider. When a loved one dies, it could mean the loss of income used to support the family. It could mean the loss of a person to take care of the home and more. These damages are relatively straightforward.

However, there are other damages that are not so easy to quantify – non-economic damages. A wrongful death attorney will examine your situation. Using their experience they will determine what sort of damages you and your family have suffered. Then they will make sure that you are made as whole as possible after an accident.

ORS 31.710 Oregon Non-economic Damage Law

ORS 31.710 puts limits on non-economic damages. Currently, the limit is $500,000 in wrongful death cases. The statute also defines what economic and non-economic damages are.

What is non-economic damage?

Oregon law defines noneconomic damages as follows:

“Noneconomic damages” means subjective, nonmonetary losses, including but not limited to pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, injury to reputation, loss of care, comfort, companionship and society, loss of consortium, inconvenience and interference with normal and usual activities apart from gainful employment.

ORS 31.710 2(b)

For wrongful death cases, the following are particularly important non-economic damages:

• Loss of Consortium
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress

Even though non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify, they are no less important than economic damages. For instance, imagine a young wife who loses her husband to a drunk driver. She deserves to be compensated for more than just his lost salary. His untimely death means they will never start a family together. They will never experience life together, and other joys that couples may take for granted.

These damages are important but easy to overlook for someone attempting to handle their case on their own. Work with an experienced personal injury attorney. Be sure that all damages, both economic and non-economic, are addressed. Let us help you be made as whole as possible after a wrongful death.

At Johnson Law, we understand how difficult this time can be. We know that money is the last thing on a person’s mind. We work compassionately with our clients to help bring closure to this sudden loss. If you have suffered a wrongful death in Oregon or Washington, contact our office right away for a free consultation.