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

This bill (S 3119) amends New Jersey's wrongful death law to allow families to seek compensation for non-financial harms when a loved one dies due to someone else's wrongful act. It specifically adds mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society, and loss of companionship to the list of recoverable damages alongside existing financial losses like medical costs and funeral expenses. The law directly affects family members who bring wrongful death claims, expanding their ability to recover for the emotional impact of their loss. This change applies to all cases arising after the bill's effective date. The bill does not alter the core requirement that the death must result from a wrongful act.