Expands wrongful death act to allow recovery for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society and loss of companionship.

This bill (A1396) expands New Jersey's wrongful death law to allow family members to recover damages for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society, and loss of companionship following a death caused by another's wrongful act. It directly affects surviving family members - such as spouses, children, or parents - who currently could only seek compensation for financial losses like lost wages or medical expenses. The key change amends N.J.S.2A:31-5 to explicitly include these non-financial harms as recoverable damages in court. The bill applies to all cases arising after its effective date and is currently pending technical review.