Hundreds of children pass away each year as a result of being left behind in cars. If your child has passed away as a result of the negligence of someone else, there is nothing that can replace the hole that would be left behind after your child has passed away. However, you have every right to seek compensation for the death of your child through a wrongful death lawsuit.
The Responsible Party
You might have had a friend or babysitter who was looking after your child. However, if it was very hot inside the car, leaving your child in the car for a short period of time could potentially be dangerous. In some cases, the temperature inside the car can get as high as 200 degrees. If your child was left in the car purposefully and you are able to prove this, the action would be considered a homicide. But regardless of whether the death was accidental or on purpose, you have the right to seek compensation for wrongful death.
Typical Forms of Compensation Awarded
If your child was hospitalized, you will be entitled to compensation for any medical bills you had to pay for. When a child is hospitalized before passing away, medical bills can pile up rapidly. When your child passes away, you will likely have funeral expenses and burial costs. These can often cost you thousands of dollars.
Non-Economic Damages
You will also be entitled to compensation for any pain and suffering you have experienced due to the loss of your child. This falls under the category of non-economic damages, and you will need help from a wrongful death attorney to calculate how much you deserve to be compensated for pain and suffering.
Punitive Damages
In these types of wrongful death cases, there is a good chance that you might also be compensated for punitive damages. This is especially the case if the individual caring for your child allowed this to happen on purpose. The courts award punitive damages as a way to punish the negligent party.
Compensation for Wrongful Death
Once you have calculated the damages for wrongful death, the next step is to make sure that you receive compensation for your injuries. However, this can be difficult if the individual you are seeking compensation from does not have any assets. Therefore, you will want to work closely with a wrongful death attorney to make sure that it is a good idea to pursue a wrongful death case.