California Wrongful Death FAQ

If the death involved a father or a mother with a family; the damages can be very substantial including past and future lost economic support to the children and spouse. 

Children may also seek economic damages for lost support from the father or mother even after reaching majority age. It must be shown that the father or mother was going to provide additional support for college or for an extended time after the children reached majority age.  This may also include gifts and benefits that either the spouse or children could expect to receive from the deceased spouse and parent. 

Another economic damage is the loss of the reasonable value of household services that the decedent would have provided as well as funeral and burial expenses.

The heirs can also claim damages for the loss of love, companionship, comfort, society, care, assistance, protection, affection, and moral support from the decedent. The spouse can claim the loss of the enjoyment of sexual relations. Heirs can also claim damages for the loss of training and guidance from the decedent.

The loss of a minor child is emotionally catastrophic for the parents and siblings.  Parents can claim damages for similar financial losses as described above and for the loss of love, companionship, comfort, society, care, assistance, protection, affection, and moral support from the decedent child.