Families in Shreveport and Bossier City often find themselves facing emotional and financial turmoil after the sudden loss of a loved one. While no amount of money can replace that loss, wrongful death damages are designed to provide financial relief and accountability under Louisiana law. The way damages are calculated is not random; local courts and attorneys rely on a set of specific factors to determine what compensation may be appropriate. Knowing how these damages are evaluated can help families make informed choices as they move forward.
Factors That Influence Compensation
When assessing damages in a wrongful death case, courts and attorneys in Northwest Louisiana look at both financial and non-financial elements. Each category plays an important role in shaping the outcome of a claim.
- Age and life expectancy: A younger victim may represent greater lost earning potential, while older victims may have fewer years of projected income. Louisiana’s average life expectancy of about 74 years is often used as a guide.
- Income history and future earnings: Past wages and expected career growth are considered to calculate lost financial support. Economists or labor data may be used to estimate future income.
- Medical bills before death: Hospital costs, ambulance fees, and other treatment expenses leading up to the death are itemized carefully.
- Funeral and burial expenses: Courts consider actual receipts or standard costs for services in the Shreveport-Bossier region.
- Non-economic damages: These include grief, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members.
Each of these factors is weighed differently depending on the family’s situation, making it essential to seek local guidance early in the process.
The Role of Louisiana Law
Louisiana law has very specific rules regarding wrongful death claims. Only certain family members are eligible to file, and the order of priority matters. Spouses and children are generally first in line, followed by parents, siblings, or grandparents if no closer relatives exist.
Additionally, families must act quickly. The statute of limitations allows only one year from the date of death to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always prevents recovery, no matter how strong the claim may be. This short timeline makes it especially important to hire a wrongful death attorney in Shreveport who understands both state laws and local court procedures.
Why Local Representation Matters
Insurance companies often push back against wrongful death claims by questioning medical evidence, minimizing lost income, or offering fast settlements that do not reflect the true impact of the loss. Local representation helps counter these tactics.
- Attorneys familiar with Shreveport and Bossier City can gather local cost-of-living data to strengthen claims.
- They can coordinate with regional experts to calculate long-term economic losses.
- They know how local courts handle emotional damages like loss of companionship, which are harder to measure but critical for families.
With strong legal support, families are better positioned to secure compensation that reflects the full extent of their loss.
Collins Law: Supporting Families in Northwest Louisiana
Collins Law helps families understand every detail that goes into calculating wrongful death damages. From lost wages to funeral expenses and non-economic impacts, the firm takes a thorough approach to building each case. Most importantly, they guide grieving families through Louisiana’s strict rules so no deadline or detail is missed.
If your family is coping with the loss of a loved one and needs clear answers about wrongful death damages, Collins Law is here to help. To discuss your case with a trusted wrongful death attorney Shreveport families rely on, schedule a free consultation today.
