Wrongful Death Damages Calculator

Estimate wrongful death damages for a civil lawsuit including economic losses, loss of consortium, and survival damages. For educational purposes — consult an attorney for actual claims.

⚖️ Legal Damages📐 Economic + Non-Economic Damages = Total Wrongful Death Claim

Deceased annual income ($)

Age at time of death

Expected retirement age

Number of dependents

Medical bills before death ($)

Funeral expenses ($)

Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

Variable	Formula	Units
Wrongful Death Damages Calculator	Economic + Non-Economic Damages = Total Wrongful Death Claim	$ estimate

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1

40-Year-Old Provider

$65K income, age 40, retires 65, 2 dependents, $50K medical.

Years lost = 25 | Economic = $65,000 x 25 x 0.65 = $1,056,250
Consortium = 2 x $150,000 = $300,000
Medical + funeral = $65,000
Total estimate: $1,421,250

✓ ~$1.4M estimated

Example 2

Young Worker

$45K income, age 25, retires 67, 0 dependents.

Years lost = 42 | Economic = $45,000 x 42 x 0.65 = $1,228,500
No dependents - no consortium claim

✓ ~$1.2M economic

Example 3

Late Career

$100K income, age 58, retires 65, 1 dependent.

Years lost = 7 | Economic = $100,000 x 7 x 0.65 = $455,000
Consortium = $150,000
Total: ~$620,000

✓ ~$620,000 estimated

Real-World Applications

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Surviving Families

Understand the scope of damages available in wrongful death cases.

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Wrongful Death Attorneys

Educate clients on claim components at intake consultations.

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Settlement Evaluation

Understand the factors that influence wrongful death settlements.

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Estate Planning

Understand economic value of life for insurance and estate purposes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

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Wrongful death varies dramatically by state

Wrongful death laws differ significantly by state: who can sue (spouse, children, parents, estate), what damages are allowed, and whether there are caps. This calculator is a general framework only.

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Not including all damage categories

Wrongful death includes: lost income, lost benefits, medical bills, funeral costs, loss of consortium, loss of parental guidance, household services, and sometimes survival damages (conscious pain and suffering before death).

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Present value discounting is complex

Future lost wages must be reduced to present value, offset by inflation, and consider the victim's life expectancy and work-life expectancy. Economic experts are essential for large cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are wrongful death damages? ▾

Economic damages: lost income and benefits, medical bills, funeral costs. Non-economic damages: loss of consortium (companionship, love, guidance), loss of parental guidance to children. Some states allow punitive damages.

Who can sue in a wrongful death case? ▾

Varies by state. Typically: spouse, children, and sometimes parents of the deceased. Some states allow any financial dependent to file. The estate may also have a separate survival claim.

What is loss of consortium? ▾

Compensation for the deprivation of a family member's love, companionship, society, guidance, and services. Spouses and dependent children are the most common consortium claimants.

How long does a wrongful death case take? ▾

Simple cases: 1-2 years. Complex cases: 3-5+ years. Trial adds significant time. Most wrongful death cases settle before trial.

What are survival damages? ▾

A survival action is separate from wrongful death - it compensates for the deceased's own pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages from the time of injury until death. It benefits the estate, not family members.