Wrongful death is a complicated subject – legally and otherwise. It is also the issue of numerous research studies. Recent findings from analysis found that ‘male decedents families are usually awarded substantially higher monetary damages than female decedents’.
The word ‘decedent’ means a dead person. So the gist of the study is that women are ‘worth less’ when they die than men – according to typical juries around the country who have awarded surviving female loved ones greater monetary damages than males. The researchers also concluded that this behavior occurs because female survivors are considered to be needier in a general sense than men. They are still looked upon as the ‘weaker’ sex, they make less income due to the continued disparity in the job market, and are likely to suffer greater income loss due to the death of a spouse.
This type of information is valuable for both the defense and plaintiff in a wrongful death suit – and both would surely seek to use it to their advantage. It may all come down to the economic losses associated with the loss of the primary breadwinner in some cases.
Wrongful death lawsuits are complicated. It is important to educate yourself on the topic and select the best Texas wrongful death attorney if you intend to file a suit.