No amount of money can ever replace the loss of a loved. But one family is feeling vindicated in their fight to show the death of their wife and mother was not caused by her, but the driver of the truck who changed lanes that fateful day in April 2009. The 52-year-old mother was on her way to Southern California to bring her grandkids Easter baskets when the fatal truck accident occurred. It happened on Interstate 5 when a driver of a United Parcel Service truck changed lanes colliding with the SUV driven by the victim.

A wrongful death suit can result from a variety of negligent or reckless actions, including drunk driving, medical malpractice due to medication or surgical errors as well as defective products or drugs. When you lose a loved one through the reckless or careless actions of another you are entitled to recover damages for your loss. If you have been harmed by the negligent actions of another, consult with a personal injury attorney to determine what steps you can take to recover damages for injuries.

Damages may include economic impact, such as funeral and medical expenses and the loss of income as a result of the death. Non-economic damages may include the loss of love, affection and comfort provided by the family member, as well as pain and suffering, sometimes called punitive damages.

Sources said the family felt vindicated by the verdict because UPS had denied responsibility and instead tried to blame the cause of the accident on the deceased. The $2.9 million jury award included $1.75 million in non-economic damages for the husband and three adult children.

Although the accident occurred in Shasta County, the case was filed in Sacramento Superior Court where the driver of the truck lives. Defense attorneys tried unsuccessfully to get the trial moved to Shasta Superior Court. Shasta County prosecutors did filed a criminal misdemeanor case against the driver; however court records do not specify exactly what the man was charged with.

Source: The Sacramento Bee, "Sacramento jury awards $2.9 million to family of woman killed in UPS truck crash," Andy Furillo, April 3, 2012