What Damages Can You Recover in an Oregon Wrongful Death Claim?

If your family has experienced a tragic loss of a family member due to the wrongful act or omission of another, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The lawyers at Schauermann Thayer are here to fight for you.

When your family has lost a loved one due to wrongful conduct, several types of damages may be recoverable, including medical and memorial/burial expenses; disability, pain, suffering, and loss of income of the decedent prior to their death; pecuniary loss to the decedent’s estate, pecuniary loss and loss of society, companionship, and services of the decedent; and punitive damages (as permitted by law). It is important to note that, with limited exceptions, noneconomic damages for things such as loss of care, comfort, companionship, and society cannot exceed $500,000.

Get legal help from a wrongful death lawyer by scheduling a free initial consultation with Schauermann Thayer. We will handle your case in a delicate manner while we advocate for your loved one and family. 

Economic Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

Damages in wrongful death cases can include financial losses such as the decedent’s medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. These types of damages are referred to as “economic” damages. Economic damages also include memorial and burial expenses. Your family member may have been a financial provider. If they were of working age, and they had the ability to do a job, they could have earned wages over the rest of their career that may have gone to support their family. Wrongful death damages can include the lost wages that your family member would have made over the rest of their working career had they lived. When determining these types of damages, the decedent’s age, ability, health, and other factors are considered. Calculating economic damages can be complicated and stressful for family members.

Noneconomic Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

Wrongful death claims may also include additional compensation for “noneconomic” damages.  Noneconomic damages are intangible and subjective.  They include things like pain and suffering; disability; and loss of society, companionship, and services.  

Damages for disability, pain, and suffering may be awarded to compensate the decedent for the period of the injury-inducing event to the time of the decedent’s death. Noneconomic damages may also be available for certain family members to compensate them for loss of society, companionship, and services. These types of damages take into consideration the value of the loss of care, attention, guidance, and services. Your family member may have played a certain role in the family. Individual family members may have had a close and loving relationship with the deceased person, and they may be eligible for compensation based on that relationship. 

Noneconomic damages are inherently subjective, and they require a close analysis of the exact nature of the relationship between the claimant and the deceased person. 

Contact an Oregon Wrongful Death Law Firm Today

As difficult as it may be during a tough time for your family, it is important to consider seeking help from a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case. Thankfully, a wrongful death attorney can handle the difficult details while your family focuses on supporting each other and adjusting to your new reality. You can schedule a free initial consultation with the wrongful death attorneys at Schauermann Thayer by contacting us online or by calling us today at 360-695-4244.