What does the term "consequential damages" refer to in claims by relatives of employees?

The term "consequential damages" refers to financial losses that occur as a result of an event, and in the context of claims by relatives of employees, it specifically pertains to the financial impact stemming from an employee's wrongful death. This could include lost income that the deceased employee would have earned, loss of benefits, and other economic impacts that the family experiences due to the employee’s death.

These damages are different from direct damages, which would cover immediate, tangible losses like funeral costs or medical expenses directly related to the incident. The key aspect of consequential damages is that they encompass broader financial implications that are indirectly related to the loss of the employee, making it crucial for claimants to understand this term when pursuing claims in cases of wrongful death.