No number can measure a person's life, and we never pretend otherwise. What Michigan law can do is hold the responsible parties accountable for the full weight of what a family lost. The Michigan Wrongful Death Act (MCL 600.2922) allows recovery for several categories of harm:
- Medical, funeral, and burial expenses
- The conscious pain and suffering your loved one endured before passing
- Lost financial support the deceased would have provided
- Lost services, such as childcare, household help, and home repairs
- Loss of society and companionship for surviving family members
Calculating these losses often involves economists, earning history, life expectancy data, and testimony about the relationships left behind. No-Fault survivor's loss benefits may also provide limited support for up to three years after a crash.