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

This bill (S 2253) would amend New Jersey's wrongful death law to allow families to seek compensation for non-financial harms, including mental anguish, emotional pain, loss of society, and loss of companionship, in addition to existing financial damages. It directly affects individuals who lose loved ones due to another person's wrongful actions, such as in accidents or negligence cases. The key change is adding these emotional and relational damages to the list of recoverable losses in wrongful death lawsuits. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after being introduced on January 9, 2024.