New York Law (NYLE) Practice Exam

What does pecuniary loss under wrongful death NOT include?

1. Medical expenses incurred prior to death.

2. Grief.

3. Funeral expenses.

4. Lost wages of the deceased.

The correct answer is: Grief.

Pecuniary loss refers to the financial losses that can be quantified and typically includes expenses or lost income directly resulting from a person's death. In the context of wrongful death claims, pecuniary losses often encompass medical expenses incurred prior to the person's death, funeral expenses, and lost wages the deceased would have earned if they had lived. Grief, on the other hand, pertains to the emotional suffering experienced by family members and loved ones due to the loss of a loved one. While this emotional distress is significant and deeply felt, it does not equate to a tangible financial loss. Therefore, grief is not included in the definition of pecuniary loss because it cannot be quantified in monetary terms. This distinction is crucial in wrongful death cases, where plaintiffs seek to recover losses that have a direct and calculable financial impact rather than those related purely to emotional suffering.