• Surviving spouses (including putative spouses)
• Domestic partners
• Children (including stepchildren)
• Grandchildren
• Minors and dependents
• Heirs by intestate succession if no other relatives survive

In addition to dealing with the pain of losing a loved one, family members often face financial hardships due to the decedent’s medical costs, funeral expenses, and lost income and health care benefits. A good wrongful death allows families to focus on their emotional recovery by handling all aspects of a wrongful death case, from investigation through negotiations and trial, to obtain the maximum financial recovery to which they are entitled.

Recoverable Damages In Michigan, recovery in a wrongful death suit is intended to compensate the deceased’s survivors for their own damages, incurred as a result of the loss of their family member. Surviving family members are eligible to recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of future earnings the deceased would have provided for the surviving family members
• Lost pensions, retirement, gifts, or other benefits
• Reasonable value of household services
• Non-economic damages may include:
• Loss of companionship, love, comfort, care, protection, and moral support
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of guidance for children
• Mental anguish and suffering