In her latest article for Trial News, WSAJ President and SGB attorney Elizabeth Hanley reflects on the emotional weight of wrongful death cases—and the moral failure of capping non-economic damages. 

She writes, “A high-income earner’s estate may claim extensive economic damages—lost future earnings, financial contributions, retirement savings. But what about a child? A retiree? A farmworker? If non-economic damages like pain and suffering are capped, their lives are discounted by design. We are saying their death matters less—not because their suffering was less, but because their income was lower.” 

Read more here for Elizabeth’s call-to-action to ensure that justice values every life, not just the wealthy ones.