The interpersonal relationships you have are part of what makes life worth living. After all, not only do you enjoy spending time with your loved ones, but you also rely on them for advice, support and companionship. If someone close to you dies or suffers catastrophic injuries in a tragic accident, your life may never be the same again.
Loss of consortium is a specific kind of damage you can claim in a wrongful death or personal injury case. The purpose of a loss of consortium claim is to compensate you for the love and companionship you lose because of someone else’s conduct.
Who can make a loss of consortium claim?
According to reporting from Market Watch, married individuals are about 10% happier than their single or divorced counterparts. This is largely due to the intimate relationship married men and women share with their spouses.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Tennessee law allows the spouses of dead and seriously injured individuals to make loss of consortium claims.
What compensation is available?
In Tennessee, spouses who succeed with loss of consortium claims are usually eligible for the following:
- Compensation for the medical care the dead or injured person received
- Reimbursement for the costs the surviving or healthy spouse spent to care for the dead or injured one
- Compensation for the dead or injured person’s lost wages
- Compensation for missing love, companionship and affection
No amount of money can bring a loved one back to life or restore his or her good health. Ultimately, though, the compensation you receive from your loss of consortium claim may help you move on with your life.
