Wrongful Death Calculator

Wrongful Death Damages Estimator

This calculator provides an estimate of potential economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim. It is designed to offer a general idea and should not be considered legal advice. Actual damages can vary significantly based on jurisdiction, specific circumstances, and expert testimony.

Deceased's Financial Information








Direct Expenses & Other Damages





function calculateWrongfulDeath() { var deceasedAnnualIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('deceasedAnnualIncome').value); var deceasedAgeAtDeath = parseFloat(document.getElementById('deceasedAgeAtDeath').value); var expectedRetirementAge = parseFloat(document.getElementById('expectedRetirementAge').value); var personalConsumptionRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('personalConsumptionRate').value) / 100; var annualLostBenefits = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualLostBenefits').value); var annualHouseholdServicesValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualHouseholdServicesValue').value); var expectedYearsOfServices = parseFloat(document.getElementById('expectedYearsOfServices').value); var medicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById('medicalExpenses').value); var funeralExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById('funeralExpenses').value); var lostInheritance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('lostInheritance').value); var nonEconomicDamages = parseFloat(document.getElementById('nonEconomicDamages').value); // Input validation if (isNaN(deceasedAnnualIncome) || isNaN(deceasedAgeAtDeath) || isNaN(expectedRetirementAge) || isNaN(personalConsumptionRate) || isNaN(annualLostBenefits) || isNaN(annualHouseholdServicesValue) || isNaN(expectedYearsOfServices) || isNaN(medicalExpenses) || isNaN(funeralExpenses) || isNaN(lostInheritance) || isNaN(nonEconomicDamages)) { document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = 'Please enter valid numbers for all fields.'; return; } if (deceasedAgeAtDeath >= expectedRetirementAge) { // If deceased was already at or past retirement age, lost earnings/benefits period is 0 var yearsUntilRetirement = 0; } else { var yearsUntilRetirement = expectedRetirementAge – deceasedAgeAtDeath; } // Calculate Lost Future Earnings var lostFutureEarnings = (deceasedAnnualIncome * (1 – personalConsumptionRate)) * yearsUntilRetirement; // Calculate Lost Benefits var lostBenefits = annualLostBenefits * yearsUntilRetirement; // Calculate Lost Household Services Value var lostHouseholdServices = annualHouseholdServicesValue * expectedYearsOfServices; // Total Economic Damages var totalEconomicDamages = lostFutureEarnings + lostBenefits + lostHouseholdServices + medicalExpenses + funeralExpenses + lostInheritance; // Total Estimated Wrongful Death Damages var totalEstimatedDamages = totalEconomicDamages + nonEconomicDamages; // Display Results var resultsHtml = '

Estimated Damages Breakdown:

'; resultsHtml += 'Estimated Lost Future Earnings: $' + lostFutureEarnings.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += 'Estimated Lost Benefits: $' + lostBenefits.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += 'Estimated Lost Household Services Value: $' + lostHouseholdServices.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += 'Medical Expenses Incurred: $' + medicalExpenses.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += 'Funeral & Burial Expenses: $' + funeralExpenses.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += 'Estimated Lost Inheritance: $' + lostInheritance.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += 'Estimated Non-Economic Damages: $' + nonEconomicDamages.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + "; resultsHtml += '
'; resultsHtml += '

Total Estimated Economic Damages: $' + totalEconomicDamages.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + '

'; resultsHtml += '

Total Estimated Wrongful Death Damages: $' + totalEstimatedDamages.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 }) + '

'; resultsHtml += 'Note: This is a simplified estimate. A true calculation would involve complex factors like present value discounting, inflation, and specific state laws. Consult with a qualified attorney for accurate legal advice.'; document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = resultsHtml; } .wrongful-death-calculator { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; max-width: 700px; margin: 20px auto; padding: 25px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08); } .wrongful-death-calculator h2 { color: #333; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 1.8em; } .wrongful-death-calculator h3 { color: #555; margin-top: 25px; margin-bottom: 15px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 5px; font-size: 1.3em; } .wrongful-death-calculator label { display: block; margin-bottom: 8px; font-weight: bold; color: #444; font-size: 0.95em; } .wrongful-death-calculator input[type="number"] { width: calc(100% – 22px); padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; } .wrongful-death-calculator button { display: block; width: 100%; padding: 12px 20px; background-color: #007bff; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1.1em; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease; margin-top: 20px; } .wrongful-death-calculator button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; } .calculator-results { margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .calculator-results h3, .calculator-results h4 { color: #333; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 1.4em; } .calculator-results p { margin-bottom: 8px; line-height: 1.6; color: #555; } .calculator-results strong { color: #333; } .calculator-results .disclaimer { font-size: 0.85em; color: #777; margin-top: 20px; border-top: 1px dashed #ddd; padding-top: 10px; } .calculator-results hr { border: none; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 20px 0; }

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims and Damages

A wrongful death claim arises when an individual dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another party. These claims are brought by the deceased's surviving family members or estate to seek compensation for the losses they have suffered as a result of the death. While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, wrongful death claims aim to provide financial relief for the economic and non-economic burdens placed upon the survivors.

Types of Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death damages are generally categorized into two main types: economic and non-economic damages.

1. Economic Damages

These are quantifiable financial losses that can be calculated with a reasonable degree of certainty. They often include:

  • Lost Future Earnings: This is typically the largest component of economic damages. It represents the income the deceased would have earned over their expected working life, had they lived. Factors like the deceased's age, occupation, education, earning capacity, and expected retirement age are considered. A portion of this is usually deducted for the deceased's personal consumption (what they would have spent on themselves).
  • Lost Benefits: This includes the value of lost employment benefits, such as health insurance, pension contributions, retirement savings, and other perks that the deceased would have provided to their family.
  • Lost Household Services: The value of services the deceased provided around the home, such as childcare, cooking, cleaning, maintenance, and other domestic contributions. These services often have a significant economic value that can be estimated.
  • Medical Expenses: Any medical bills incurred for the care of the deceased from the time of the injury until their death.
  • Funeral and Burial Expenses: The costs associated with the funeral, burial, or cremation of the deceased.
  • Lost Inheritance: In some cases, if it can be proven that the deceased would have accumulated an estate that would have been inherited by the survivors, this can also be claimed.

2. Non-Economic Damages

These damages are more subjective and are intended to compensate for intangible losses. They are harder to quantify and can vary significantly based on jurisdiction and jury discretion. Common non-economic damages include:

  • Loss of Companionship, Comfort, and Society: The emotional support, love, affection, and guidance that the deceased would have provided to their family members.
  • Grief and Mental Suffering: The emotional pain and suffering experienced by the surviving family members due to the loss.
  • Loss of Consortium: Specifically refers to the loss of marital intimacy and companionship for a surviving spouse.
  • Pain and Suffering of the Deceased: In some jurisdictions, if the deceased suffered pain and suffering before their death, these damages can be recovered as part of a "survival action" which is often combined with a wrongful death claim.

How the Wrongful Death Damages Estimator Works

Our calculator provides a simplified estimate by taking into account several key factors:

  • Deceased's Annual Income: Used to project future earnings.
  • Age at Death & Expected Retirement Age: Determines the duration of lost earning capacity.
  • Personal Consumption Rate: Accounts for the portion of income the deceased would have spent on themselves, which is not a loss to the survivors.
  • Annual Value of Lost Benefits & Household Services: Estimates the financial impact of lost non-wage contributions.
  • Direct Expenses: Medical, funeral, and burial costs are added directly.
  • Estimated Lost Inheritance: A direct input for potential lost future wealth.
  • Estimated Non-Economic Damages: A direct input for the highly subjective value of emotional losses.

Important Considerations and Limitations

It is crucial to understand that this calculator provides a basic estimate and has several limitations:

  • Simplification: Real-world wrongful death calculations are highly complex. They often involve forensic economists who use sophisticated methods to calculate the present value of future losses, accounting for inflation, potential wage increases, and discount rates. This calculator does not perform such complex present value analyses.
  • Jurisdictional Differences: Laws regarding wrongful death claims vary significantly from state to state. Some states have caps on certain types of damages (especially non-economic damages), while others do not.
  • Evidence and Proof: The actual amount awarded in a wrongful death case depends heavily on the evidence presented, the credibility of witnesses, and the specific facts of the case.
  • Not Legal Advice: This tool is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. If you believe you have a wrongful death claim, it is imperative to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney.

While this estimator can give you a preliminary idea of potential damages, a qualified attorney can provide a comprehensive evaluation based on the specifics of your situation and the applicable laws.

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