§ 10-7-1.1 - Pecuniary damages – How determined. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 10-7-1.1

   § 10-7-1.1  Pecuniary damages – Howdetermined. – Pecuniary damages to the beneficiaries described under § 10-7-2 andrecoverable by the beneficiaries shall be ascertained as follows:

   (1) Determine the gross amount of the decedent's prospectiveincome or earnings over the remainder of his or her life expectancy, includingall estimated income he or she would probably have earned by his or her ownexertions, both physical and mental. Pecuniary damages shall include the valueof homemaker services lost as a result of the death of a homemaker. The fairvalue of homemaker services shall not be limited to moneys actually expended toreplace the services usually provided by the homemaker. In such a suit, thevalue of homemaker services may be shown by expert testimony, but experttestimony is not required.

   (2) Deduct from the amount determined in subdivision (1) theestimated personal expenses that the decedent would probably have incurred forhimself or herself, exclusive of any of his dependents, over the course of hisor her life expectancy.

   (3) Reduce the remainder thus ascertained to its presentvalue as of the date of the award. In determining the award, evidence shall beadmissible concerning economic trends, including but not limited to projectedpurchasing power of money, inflation, and projected increase or decrease in thecosts of living.