Losing a family member to someone else's negligence is one of the hardest experiences a family can face — and the legal process that follows can feel overwhelming. Michigan's Wrongful Death Act allows surviving family members to seek compensation for the harm caused, but understanding what is recoverable is essential.
Economic damages
These include the financial loss the family suffers as a result of the death — medical bills incurred before death, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the deceased's expected future earnings and benefits. Courts often rely on economists to project a lifetime of lost income.
Non-economic damages
Surviving spouses, children, and other close relatives can also recover for the loss of companionship, society, and guidance — sometimes called loss of consortium. These damages recognize the human cost of losing a loved one.
Conscious pain and suffering
If the deceased experienced pain and suffering between the injury and death, those damages can be recovered on behalf of the estate.
Wrongful death cases require careful documentation, expert testimony, and an attorney who has handled them before. If your family is considering a claim, speak with a Michigan trial lawyer as soon as possible — strict time limits apply.