What Role Does Life Expectancy Play in Wrongful Death Compensation?

When seeking compensation for a wrongful death, you encounter the concept of life expectancy, which plays an important role in calculating both economic and non-economic damages.

Fundamentally, it serves as an important factor in determining the financial support lost, potential medical expenses, and the deceased‘s age and health at the time of death.

As you explore this topic further, you will uncover the significant impact it has on the overall value of your claim, which is why consulting a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer from J&Y Law can be beneficial in helping you understand how life expectancy affects your claim. Read on to learn more about the role of life expectancy in wrongful death compensation.

Calculating Life Expectancy’s Role in Wrongful Death Compensation

When determining the value of a wrongful death claim, calculating the life expectancy of the deceased individual is an important step. This is significant in determining the compensation you’re entitled to. 

You’ll need to take into account the deceased’s age, health, and life expectancy at the time of death. If the deceased had a life insurance policy, this would also be a factor. Our team has 80 years of combined experience understanding the role life expectancy plays in wrongful death compensation.

The Impact of Age and Health on Life Expectancy in Wrongful Death Cases

While evaluating life expectancy in wrongful death cases, you’ll find that age and health status play important roles in determining the number of years the deceased would have lived. Age factors greatly influence life expectancy, as older individuals have a shorter life expectancy compared to younger individuals. 

Additionally, health status has a considerable impact on the number of years the deceased would have lived. For instance, individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities may have a shorter life expectancy than those with no health issues. Our team can use this information to determine the compensation you are eligible for.

How Lost Earnings and Benefits Are Calculated in Los Angeles

When calculating the lost earnings and benefits in a wrongful death case, you’ll need to take into account life expectancy tables to determine the victim’s projected earning capacity. This calculation will also involve factoring in benefits and bonuses they would have likely received had they lived. 

Life Expectancy Tables

To calculate lost earnings and benefits in wrongful death cases, you’ll need to consult life expectancy tables, which provide the average number of years a person is expected to live based on their age, gender, and other factors. 

These tables are based on historical life expectancy trends and mortality risk. They are important for determining the number of years the deceased would’ve worked, earned, and contributed to their family. You’ll use this information to calculate the total value of lost earnings and benefits. 

Projected Earning Capacity

You’ll calculate projected earning capacity by analyzing the deceased’s education, occupation, and industry trends to determine their potential salary growth and earning potential. This calculation helps establish the deceased’s future earnings, which are an important aspect of compensation. 

To determine the projected salary, you’ll consider factors like the national average salary for the deceased’s occupation, the regional cost of living, and the industry’s growth prospects. By doing so, you’ll arrive at a realistic estimate of the deceased’s future earnings. 

This figure will then be used to calculate the total compensation for lost earnings, which is a significant component of wrongful death compensation.

Benefits and Bonuses

The deceased’s benefits and bonuses notably impact the total compensation for lost earnings. These additional forms of income can greatly increase the overall amount of damages awarded in a wrongful death claim. 

You’ll need to assess the deceased’s benefit packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, to calculate their total compensation. Bonus earnings, such as commissions or performance-based incentives, must also be factored into the equation. 

Understanding the deceased’s specific bonus structures is important in determining the full extent of lost earnings. By accurately calculating these benefits and bonuses, you can increase the chances that you receive fair and just compensation for your loss.

How Does Life Expectancy Affect Non-Economic Damages?

Life expectancy can significantly influence the calculation of non–economic damages in a wrongful death case. These types of damages cover the emotional and intangible losses suffered by the deceased’s loved ones, such as:

• Loss of companionship
• Loss of guidance and support
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of care or nurturing, especially in the case of a deceased parent or spouse

When determining the value of these losses, courts often consider how long the deceased would have likely lived and continued providing emotional support, companionship, or guidance to their family. 

For example, if a young parent passes away unexpectedly, the court may consider the many years of parenting, mentoring, and emotional bonding that their children have lost. A longer expected lifespan typically leads to higher non-economic damages because the loss is spread across more future years.

How an Attorney Can Help You With Life Expectancy Issues in Los Angeles Wrongful Death Claims

Life expectancy may seem like a straightforward concept, but when it comes to wrongful death claims, it’s often a complex and contested issue. Insurance companies may try to downplay the deceased’s life expectancy to reduce the value of your claim.

An experienced wrongful death attorney can push back by using evidence, expert witnesses, and data to present a more accurate picture.

Here’s how a lawyer can help you understand the role life expectancy plays in wrongful death compensation:

• Gather medical records and health history to support a realistic life expectancy estimate
• Consult with medical experts and economists who can testify about projected lifespan and future losses
• Challenge biased or incomplete life expectancy assumptions made by the opposing side
• Translate technical data into persuasive arguments for negotiations or trials
• Ensure your claim includes all appropriate economic and non-economic damages tied to life expectancy

Learn More About Life Expectancy’s Role in Wrongful Death Compensation

As you pursue wrongful death compensation, remember that life expectancy is a significant factor. J&Y Law understands that life expectancy plays an important role in determining the true value of a life cut short. 

Contact us today for a free consultation.