What is the purpose of the wrongful death act?

The purpose of the wrongful death act is primarily to establish the legal rights of the heirs or family members of an individual who has died as a result of someone else's negligence or intentional wrongdoing. This act allows survivors to seek compensation for their loss, which may include damages for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and financial support that the deceased would have provided if they had lived.

While some aspects of the wrongful death act might touch upon issues related to lost income, the core function of the act is to recognize the rights of the survivors to take legal action when a death occurs due to the wrongful acts of another. It addresses the civil implications of a wrongful death, setting out a mechanism for survivors to claim damages in a civil court rather than through criminal proceedings.

Criminal charges against the negligent party pertain to a separate legal process and do not fall under the wrongful death act's scope, which focuses on civil liabilities and compensatory measures for the loss experienced by the deceased's family. The facilitation of faster resolutions in personal injury cases is unrelated to the main objective of this act, as wrongful death cases typically involve more complex issues that require careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding the death.