Damages for wrongful death may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Wages and benefits lost between the final injury/illness and the date of death
• Financial loss: the compensation that the deceased could have earned if they had lived
• Loss of companionship: the guidance, care, and comfort the deceased would have provided
• Household services: the value of services lost such as childcare, cleaning, and chores
• Loss of parental nurturing, care and guidance to surviving children
• Medical expenses related to the deceased’s injury or final illness
• Conscious pain and suffering endured by the deceased prior to death
• Funeral and burial expenses for the deceased

Note: Surviving family members may not recover damages for emotional distress in wrongful death cases, nor may they receive punitive damages. However, New Jersey law does allow surviving family members who suffered severe distress due to being present when the death occurred, to file a separate claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress, and seek damages.