The pain of losing a loved one in a car accident becomes worse when certain expenses come into the picture. Such costs often include medical bills and the costs of a funeral. This is why Tennessee law allows surviving family members to recoup expenses through a wrongful death suit.
State law allows for a court to award a variety of damages if a judge finds the negligence of another party was responsible for the death of a person.
Loss of consortium and income
If a spouse has died, the surviving family has lost someone who has contributed not only financial support to a family but other spousal and familial duties. The deceased person has likely provided material and emotional support to a spouse and also helped in rearing children.
A wrongful death suit allows surviving family members to collect damages on the basis of lost income and a loss of companionship. A court can also consider the mental torment suffered by the survivors.
The suffering of the deceased
It is possible that a deceased relative made it to the hospital and received treatment before dying. Given how serious injuries can be in an auto accident, the decedent may have suffered greatly before death. Wrongful death damages not only cover hospital bills but can also award payment based on how a deceased person has suffered.
Funeral expenses
Some families do not anticipate the death of a loved one and have not put away money for a funeral. Wrongful death damages can include the costs of a burial and a funeral. While these damages may not heal the emotional wounds suffered by survivors, they can provide some measure of justice during a moment of tragedy.