For families navigating an unimaginable loss. This tool provides a general estimate of wrongful death damages to help you understand your legal options — nothing more, nothing less.
We understand that no calculator can capture the true cost of losing someone you love. This tool exists not to reduce a life to a number, but to help surviving family members understand what the legal system provides — so you can make informed decisions during an already devastating time. Please use these estimates only as a starting point, and speak with a compassionate, experienced wrongful death attorney who can properly evaluate your case.
Enter the deceased's financial profile, dependent information, and your state's rules to generate a damage range estimate.
👤 Deceased's Financial Profile
👨👩👧 Survivors & Case Factors
Fill in the details above and click Calculate to see a wrongful death damages estimate.
⚠️ Estimate only — not legal advice. Attorney fees (typically 33–40%) are not deducted from this figure. Consult a licensed attorney before making any decisions.
Wrongful death claims vary enormously by state. Who can file (eligible survivors), what damages are available, whether punitive damages apply, the statute of limitations, and damage caps all differ significantly. Many states separate "survival actions" (on behalf of the deceased's estate) from "wrongful death actions" (on behalf of surviving family members) — and both may apply. This calculator provides a rough approximation only. Wrongful death settlements in high-profile cases can reach into the tens of millions; in others, state caps or limited insurance coverage dramatically constrain recovery. Only a licensed wrongful death attorney in your state — reviewing all facts — can give you an accurate valuation. These numbers are estimates only and do not constitute legal advice.
The income the deceased would have earned and contributed to the household over their expected working life. Courts use actuarial tables, wage data, and economic expert analysis to project this number. It is typically the largest component.
Medical treatment costs incurred between the injury and death, plus funeral, burial, and memorial expenses (typically $10,000–$20,000). These are economic damages with clear documentation requirements.
Non-economic damages for the loss of the deceased's love, companionship, guidance, services, and emotional support. Available to spouses and children in most states; subject to damage caps in many states.
Some states allow surviving family members to recover for their own grief, mental anguish, and emotional suffering. This is separate from the deceased's pre-death pain and suffering, and varies widely by state.
Eligible claimants vary by state. Typically: surviving spouse, children, and parents of unmarried decedents. Some states allow any dependent. A personal representative of the estate files in most cases. Know your state's rules.
Wrongful death statutes of limitations typically run 2 years from the date of death. Some states start the clock at discovery or at a child's 18th birthday for minor claimants. Missing the deadline is almost always fatal to the claim.
Wrongful death cases demand attorneys with the experience, resources, and compassion to fight for your family. Most wrongful death attorneys work on contingency — no upfront cost to you.
Find a Wrongful Death Attorney →