The Role of Economic Evaluation in a Wrongful Death Investigation

Published On: October 29th, 2024|Categories: Employment|

In a wrongful death case, understanding the economic impact of a person’s death is crucial to providing fair compensation to the family or beneficiaries. For attorneys handling these complex cases, the insights of an economic consultant can make a significant difference in determining the financial losses involved.

Economic evaluation brings essential objectivity and precision, supporting lawyers in calculating immediate financial losses and the long-term impact of the deceased’s absence on their dependents. Here, we’ll examine the critical role of economic evaluation in a wrongful death investigation and how Thomas Roney LLC assists attorneys in this vital aspect.

Key Components of an Economic Evaluation in Wrongful Death Cases

Economic evaluations for wrongful death cases focus on the deceased’s tangible and intangible contributions. By meticulously analyzing financial records, work history, and demographic information, an economic consultant helps lawyers establish a realistic estimation of the loss. Key areas of focus include:

  1. Lost Wages and Benefits

The most immediate financial loss in wrongful death cases is lost wages, which typically include:

  • The deceased’s current earnings at the time of death.
  • Projected salary increases over time.
  • Any associated benefits, like health insurance and retirement plans.

An economist carefully considers factors like age, career progression, and expected retirement age to provide an accurate calculation of future earnings. This analysis is essential for attorneys to build a case that thoroughly addresses the family’s loss.

  1. Lost Household Services

Beyond income, the deceased often contributed to the household in ways that saved costs, such as childcare, home maintenance, or other services. An economic consultant assesses the financial value of these contributions, which is often overlooked in standard financial analysis. This component recognizes the many indirect contributions a family member may provide, which can weigh heavily in a wrongful death claim.

  1. Future Economic Contributions

Economic consultants project the potential career trajectory of the deceased, taking into account possible promotions, job changes, and inflationary adjustments. This forward-looking approach incorporates potential life events and career changes, providing a robust picture of lost potential income.

  1. Loss of Inheritance

The loss of inheritance, though complex to calculate, is another key area in economic evaluations. This aspect considers the probable savings and accumulated wealth the deceased would have passed on, often forming a component of family wealth that would have grown over time.

Tools and Techniques Used in Economic Evaluations

Thomas Roney LLC employs advanced methodologies to bring precision and credibility to economic evaluations. Techniques such as present-value discounting help quantify the total economic loss by calculating the present value of future financial contributions. Additionally, by consulting extensive economic data and industry standards, economists at Thomas Roney LLC provide reliable insights grounded in up-to-date economic realities.

Economic experts also consider additional factors unique to each case, such as regional cost of living, tax impacts, and inflation. By using comprehensive data, they can simulate realistic economic forecasts that stand up to scrutiny in court, helping attorneys build a strong, substantiated case for the families they represent.

Why Economic Expertise is Crucial in Wrongful Death Cases?

Economic evaluations provide both objective data and a compassionate understanding of the family’s loss. For attorneys, partnering with a firm like Thomas Roney LLC allows them to present well-founded economic reports that can withstand the opposing counsel’s cross-examination. An economic consultant’s analysis helps ensure that every facet of a financial loss is documented, from the quantifiable wages and benefits to the more nuanced contributions the deceased made in their household.

The courts often rely on economic experts to offer testimony that demystifies complex economic calculations for judges and juries. These explanations lend credibility to the attorney’s arguments, clarifying the total financial impact for non-expert audiences.

Supporting a Fair Outcome Through Informed Economic Analysis

Wrongful death cases demand that attorneys and economic consultants work collaboratively to provide a thorough and empathetic representation of the deceased’s economic contributions. Thomas Roney LLC’s commitment to accuracy and reliability in economic evaluation means that attorneys are well-supported in securing the appropriate compensation for their clients.

In cases where the family’s future financial stability depends on the outcomes of a wrongful death claim, the importance of economic evaluation cannot be overstated. Economic consultants provide a balanced and fair approach by focusing on clear, data-driven analysis, ensuring that the surviving family members are properly compensated for their immense loss. Through these efforts, economic evaluations serve not only as tools for litigation but as a form of justice for those left behind.

The Dallas Economic Consultants at Thomas Roney LLC Will Assist in Your Case

To learn more about our services, call 817-733-6333 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. The Dallas economic consultants at Thomas Roney LLC are here to answer your questions. Located in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston, Texas, as well as Atlanta, Georgia, we serve clients in Denver, Colorado, Louisville, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee.