When families lose a loved one due to another person’s negligence, Tennessee law recognizes their right to compensation for the financial and emotional losses they have suffered.
A wrongful death settlement aims to address the tangible costs these families are now facing—medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income—as well as the profound personal losses that are harder to quantify but no less real. If you are navigating this difficult situation, knowing what types of damages you may be entitled to recover can help you make informed decisions about your family’s future.
Contact a wrongful death attorney in Knoxville today to schedule a free consultation — call (865) 691-2777.
Reasonable Funeral and Burial Expenses
When a loved one dies unexpectedly, your family is immediately confronted with high costs that you never planned for. Funeral and burial expenses can easily reach thousands of dollars, covering everything from caskets and burial plots to cremation services, memorial events, and headstones. In a Tennessee wrongful death settlement, these costs are typically among the first damages recovered.
Medical Expenses Related to the Fatal Injury
If your loved one received medical treatment (such as for a head or spine injury) before passing away—whether for hours, days, or longer—those expenses may be recoverable in your wrongful death claim. This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any other care related to the fatal injury. These bills can accumulate quickly, and this compensation protects your family from paying for treatment that resulted from someone else’s negligence.
The Deceased’s Lost Wages and Benefits
Your loved one’s income likely supported your family in important ways. A wrongful death settlement can account for the wages and benefits they would have earned had they lived. This calculation considers their salary, expected raises, retirement contributions, health insurance, and other employment benefits.
Pain and Suffering Experienced by the Deceased
Tennessee law allows recovery for the physical pain and emotional suffering your loved one endured between the time of injury and death. If they experienced fear, anxiety, or physical agony during that period, the responsible party may be held accountable for that harm. This damage is difficult to measure in dollars, but a Tennessee wrongful death attorney will leverage common formulas to help estimate the pain and suffering losses.
Loss of Love, Care, Guidance, Society, and Companionship
Beyond the financial losses, wrongful death takes something irreplaceable from surviving family members. Parents lose the joy of watching their child grow. Spouses lose their partner. Children lose a parent’s wisdom and care. Tennessee allows your family to recover damages for the loss of your loved one’s companionship, guidance, and emotional support.
Get Help with Your Family’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Pursuing a wrongful death claim while grieving is incredibly difficult, but you do not have to face the legal process alone. A Tennessee wrongful death attorney can guide you through the legal process, handle negotiations with insurance companies and defense lawyers, and fight for the full compensation your family deserves.
The Knoxville personal injury lawyers of Brown & Roberto have spent decades helping Tennessee families file wrongful death claims and hold negligent parties responsible. Our attorneys will stand by your side every step of the way, providing the tailored guidance and compassionate support you deserve.
If you need legal assistance, call (865) 391-6254 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case today.