What is a Loss of Consortium?
A loss of consortium is the loss of benefits of a family relationship because of injuries caused by negligence.
According to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute (LII), loss of consortium is defined as “a claim for damages suffered by the spouse of an injured party as a result of injury to the spouse.” As such, it demonstrates the recognition of the impact of injuries on familial relationships and the legal basis for seeking compensation for such losses. It is a legal claim typically made by a spouse or family member of an injured person seeking compensation for the loss of love, companionship, support, and affection that resulted from the injury or death.
Typically, loss of consortium occurs during a major act of negligence such as a car accident or building collapse that results in death. Loss of consortium claims examine intangible losses sought for the emotional impact of injuries on the spouse or family member, rather than financial losses. Understanding loss of consortium is essential in personal injury and wrongful death cases to ensure that spouses and family members receive recognition and compensation for the profound emotional and relational impacts of injuries or losses caused by negligence or wrongful acts. Legal professionals play a critical role in advocating for these damages on behalf of their clients, emphasizing the importance of preserving and compensating familial relationships in civil litigation.
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Auto Accidents Caused by Defective Roads
Sometimes it is the road that is at fault in an auto accident. Defective road conditions can cause a driver to lose control of his/her car, leading to an auto accident that can result in serious personal injury or death. But when the road is at fault, who is responsible for your injuries?
Roads in Pennsylvania are the responsibility of either the state or local municipalities. Although Pennsylvania’s Sovereign Immunity Act generally bars suits against the Commonwealth and other government entities, dangerous conditions on highways created by potholes, sinkholes or similar conditions are exempt from sovereign immunity.
The Pennsylvania defective road condition attorneys of [firm-name] believe that when hazardous road conditions lead to accidents, injury, or death, the responsible government agency and/or a private contractor that worked on the road should be held accountable. The victims of accidents caused by unsafe roads deserve full and fair compensation for their injuries and losses. […]
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San Diego Man Awarded $2.4 Million in Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit
A San Diego Navy Veteran who was diagnosed in 2010 with mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer, was awarded $2.4 million in damages after his disease was found to be attributed to his work in ship boiler rooms.
The lawsuit, filed against John Crane, Inc., claimed the plaintiff was exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy from 1961 to 1971 in his work in the maintenance and repair of boilers, pumps and valves. The suit claimed John Crane made some of the asbestos-containing packing material and gaskets in the equipment.
The total damages of about $2.4 million include nearly $1.4 million in noneconomic damages and $450,000 for loss of consortium. The jury found John Crane five percent liable, the Navy and insulation companies 57 percent at fault, some manufacturers and suppliers 37 percent at fault. […]
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