The damages that a victim’s relatives can recover

A victim’s relatives can sue for the relevant damages in the following cases:

• Death of the victim:
  • loss of consortium;
  • pecuniary damages for the loss of the financial contribution to the family made by the victim;
  • the personal injury damages suffered by the victim between the occurrence of the injury and his/her death, which can be claimed by the victim’s relatives who are also his/her heirs;
  • expenses ensuing from the victim’s death.
• Severe injury of the victim (the damages owing to the relatives are in addition to those due to the victim):
  • non-pecuniary damages for the suffering caused to a co-habiting relative;
  • pecuniary damages for the financial sacrifices required to care for the relative.
• Undiagnosed fetal malformation (known as damages for unwanted birth):
  these damages are payable to the mother and father of a child born with deformities when the parents were not told about them and the ensuing possibility of aborting the pregnancy during antenatal check-ups and examinations. The damages cover the financial and existential sacrifices required of the parents.

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