Personal Injury and Wrongful Death FAQs

Q:  What is a personal injury?

 

A:  A personal injury is an injury to someone's body or emotions.  Personal injury covers any actual physical harm (broken leg and bruises) you suffered in an accident and emotional harm caused by that accident.  Personal injury does not cover damages to anyone's property.

 

Q:  What type of compensation can be available for personal injury?

 

A:  Personal Injury compensation can vary greatly.  Much depends on the severity of the injury.  Compensation can include lost income, loss of future earnings capacity, medical bills and pain and suffering in extreme cases.  Damages can include punitive damages, which are meant to "punish" the responsible parties.

 

Q:  Who is liable for a personal injury?

 

A:  Parties who have acted negligently, meaning they did not use reasonable care, may be liable for personal injury damages.

 

Q:  What is wrongful death?

 

A:  A wrongful death occurs when someone is killed due to another party's negligence or recklessness.  Under the law, parties who have been injured as a result of a wrongful death may bring suit against the parties responsible for the death.  Wrongful death cases allow survivors to claim compensation for the decedent's lost earnings, pain and suffering and other damages.

 

Q:  How is compensation for a wrongful death calculated?

 

A:  The calculation of compensation for wrongful death can be complicated.  Among the factors involved in the calculations are the deceased person's wages had they lived and the financial burden and possible pain and suffering experienced by survivors of the deceased.   

 

Please contact Media lawyer Scott Bonebrake at 610-892-7700 for all of your Family Law related questions. You can also email Scott directly at .