The disruption of an accident or illness caused by someone else’s negligence extends beyond physical pain. Many injured victims find their relationships strained, their ability to enjoy life diminished and their family dynamics forever altered.
Families contending with such challenges can pursue a claim for loss of consortium. This legal remedy can help victims heal from their wounds – both visible and invisible.
Your relationships and quality of life matter
When someone’s wrongdoing causes an injury, it can deprive family members of the benefits and joys of their relationship. This is known as loss of consortium, which includes:
- Loss of companionship
- Diminished capacity for sexual relations
- Inability to participate in family activities
- Reduced ability to provide emotional support
- Loss of household services
Spouses may file claims for loss of consortium. In some cases, children may also be eligible to file claims for the loss of parental consortium.
If your loved ones can prove the loss of consortium, they can recover non-economic damages for the impact of your injury on your relationships with them. You can separately obtain compensation for medical expenses, income disruption and pain and suffering through a personal injury lawsuit.
The amount your family can receive through this legal recourse depends on several factors. These typically include how serious your injury is, how it affects your relationship, how long the effects will last and how strong your relationship was before the incident.
Do not let your relationships suffer
While filing an injury claim cannot fully restore what you have lost, it can provide some measure of justice and financial support. If you find it challenging to connect with loved ones or enjoy life’s pleasures after an accident, do not hesitate to reach out to an attorney to explore all your options. This way, you can regain control of your life and start rebuilding the relationships that bring you joy.