How Age Impacts Wrongful Death Compensation

• May 7 2025
• |   Wrongful Death

One of the hardest things anyone can go through is grief. Losing a loved one can be painful and confusing, and it can sometimes feel unfair, especially when someone else’s negligence caused their death. During this difficult time, families of the deceased often find themselves asking some crucial questions: Can we get any kind of compensation for this wrongful death? If so, how will we decide on the amount?

Families of victims of wrongful death cases can receive compensation; however, many factors can affect the amount they receive. One major factor that often surprises people is the victim’s age. Although it might seem strange, in legal cases, age can affect the amount of money that might be awarded to the surviving family members of the deceased victim.

Cases like this are usually emotional and complex; and as a surviving family member, it is not always easy to know what you are entitled to or how to fight for it. That is where a wrongful death lawyer from Leverty & Associates Law comes in. Our lawyers can help you by explaining your rights, gathering evidence, and making sure the court sees the full impact of the loss of your loved one, regardless of their age.

In this blog, we will explain what you need to know in simple terms, how age affects cases like this, and why it matters when seeking justice for your loved one. Contact us at  (775) 322-6636 (Reno) if you need a team of competent lawyers to rely on during this trying time.

Why Hire Our Wrongful Death Lawyer?

At Leverty & Associates Law, we know that every life matters, whether young or old. Our legal team is committed to helping you and your family receive justice in wrongful death situations, regardless of the victim’s age. We will fight aggressively to help you recover compensation for your loss.

Our experienced wrongful death attorneys understand how devastating it can be to lose a loved one because of the negligence or wrongful act of another person. The laws related to wrongful death can be confusing, but we are here for you. We will explain all you need to know and help you make decisions you agree with. Contact us today at (775) 322-6636 (Reno). We offer free initial consultation.

While nothing can replace the loved one you have lost, the financial compensation you may be entitled to can help you move forward. 

How Age Impacts Wrongful Death Compensation

In wrongful death cases, the reason for compensating the family is to help them deal with both the emotional pain and the financial loss caused by the unexpected death of a loved one. However, some factors affect the amount of money that will be awarded as compensation. One crucial factor is the age of the victim, and it is important because the courts consider the following:

• How much money the person might have earned if they were still alive
• The kind of support, care, love, or guidance that the deceased would have given if they were still alive
• The emotional impact of the loss on the surviving family.

The following is how age can affect these factors:

Children

When a baby or a child passes away, mainly due to negligence that could have been avoided, the pain can be unbearable. However, when it comes to compensation for the loss, the courts usually give less compensation. This is because it is hard to know what kind of job or income the child would have had in the future if they had lived. Nevertheless, parents can still receive money to help cover the following:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical bills
• The emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss
• Loss of companionship.

Young Adults

If the person who died was a teenager or young adult, especially one who was in school or had just started a career, the compensation may be higher. The courts award higher compensation in this case because they consider the victim’s future, including the job they would have had and whether they would have helped support their family.

If they were already working or had a promising future, it could lead to more compensation. The younger the individual was before their death, the more years of life, earnings, and companionship their family lost, which can increase the settlement or award.

Working-Age Adults

Losing a working adult affects both the family’s finances and their emotional well-being significantly; due to this, families of this group usually get awarded the highest compensation in wrongful death cases. This is because courts often consider the victim’s . . .

• Current income
• Career growth potential
• Support provided to dependents, like spouses and children
• Benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions
• Loss of love, guidance, and companionship.

Older Adults (Seniors)

When an older adult is the victim in a wrongful death case, the compensation is often lower, not because their life is less valuable, but because the courts consider things like their reduced earning potential and shorter life expectancy. However, their families can still receive money for the following:

• Medical and funeral costs
• Emotional pain and suffering
• The loss of love and companionship, especially if they had a spouse.

We have a winning track record and a great relationship with our past clients. 

Why You Need Our Wrongful Death Lawyer

The following are the reasons why you need a reliable wrongful death lawyer from Leverty & Associates Law. As your lawyers, we will help you:

• Coordinate all investigations of your loved one’s death, including gathering evidence to help prove negligence
• Identify and interview witnesses
• Serve as your representative with insurance companies and other attorneys
• Calculate all of your past, current, and future losses
• Leverage expert witness testimony regarding accident fault and financial loss
• File all paperwork with the courts
• Oversee the entire legal process
• Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
• Litigate your case if it goes to court.

Get Help from Leverty & Associates Law

At Leverty & Associates Law, we have many years of experience and knowledge that have helped us work successfully with our clients. Our dedication has earned us positive testimonials and excellent relationships with those we have represented. Let us help you get justice. Contact us in Reno at (775) 322-6636 for a free consultation.