What type of damages are NOT recoverable in a wrongful death claim?

In a wrongful death claim, punitive damages are typically not recoverable. The primary purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter future similar conduct. However, wrongful death claims are focused on compensating the survivors for their losses resulting from the death rather than punishing the defendant.

Other types of damages, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss of companionship, are generally recoverable. Pain and suffering can be claimed as part of the damages for the suffering experienced by the deceased prior to their death. Medical expenses incurred as a result of the injury leading to death are also compensable. Loss of companionship accounts for the emotional and relational impact on survivors due to the death of a loved one. Thus, out of the listed options, punitive damages stand out because they do not align with the compensatory purpose of a wrongful death claim.