In Arizona, as in other states, those who have lost a loved one to an accident (that was caused by another’s negligent, reckless, or intentional acts) may be entitled to recover damages pursuant to a wrongful death claim. How Do Wrongful Death Claims Work? Wrongful death claims give a right of action to certain surviving family members of the deceased, allowing those surviving family members to recover damages to compensate them for the various losses they suffered as a result of the death at-issue. Importantly, wrongful death claims are not intended to compensate the surviving family members for the suffering of the deceased. Instead, they are intended to compensate the surviving family members for their own damages. These damages may include: Out-of-pocket medical expenses paid by the surviving family member Funeral expenses paid by the surviving family member Loss of companionship Loss of consortium Loss of domestic services Loss of love and affection Loss of financial support Mental distress And more Suppose, for example, that a close relative — perhaps your father — was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The accident did not immediately result in your father’s death. He is rushed to the hospital. After a few days in intensive care and a difficult struggle for survival, your father dies. In the above example, you cannot recover (in a wrongful death action) damages for your father’s pain and suffering, or for their medical expenses or wage loss. You can only recover damages for your own losses. If your […]