Average Wrongful Death Payouts by State
- In Nebraska, Texas, and Florida, maximum wrongful death award amounts reached into the hundreds of millions or billions, pulling the average to $104M–$880M+, whereas their typical medians range between $1M and $6.6M.
- Utah, South Carolina, and Texas are the only states to rank in the top 10 for both average and median wrongful death payouts.
Alabama
- Average Settlement: $20,738,368.42
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Alabama is $20,738,368.42. Across 19 reported cases totaling $394,029,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,079,000 to a maximum of $140,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $14,000,000.
Alaska
- Average Settlement: $1,685,583.33
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Alaska is $1,685,583.33. Across 12 reported cases totaling $20,227,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $177,000 to a maximum of $7,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $607,500.
Arizona
- Average Settlement: $5,571,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Arizona is $5,571,000.00. Across 20 reported cases totaling $111,420,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $365,000 to a maximum of $19,250,000, with a median settlement amount of $4,500,000.
Arkansas
- Average Settlement: $2,014,503.91
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Arkansas is $2,014,503.91. Across 11 reported cases totaling $22,159,543 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $9,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $637,500.
California
- Average Settlement: $9,620,812.50
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in California is $9,620,812.50. Across 20 reported cases totaling $192,416,250 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $35,000 to a maximum of $36,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $5,290,625.
Colorado
- Average Settlement: $22,587,050.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Colorado is $22,587,050.00. Across 18 reported cases totaling $406,566,900 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $387,000 to a maximum of $205,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $5,250,000.
Connecticut
- Average Settlement: $6,525,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Connecticut is $6,525,000.00. Across 12 reported cases totaling $78,300,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,500,000 to a maximum of $20,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $5,000,000.
Delaware
- Average Settlement: $9,991,400.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Delaware is $9,991,400.00. Across 5 reported cases totaling $49,957,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $7,000 to a maximum of $36,400,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,500,000.
Florida
- Average Settlement: $104,132,294.12
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Florida is $104,132,294.12. Across 17 reported cases totaling $1,770,249,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $350,000 to a maximum of $1,021,199,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,350,000.
Georgia
- Average Settlement: $20,255,882.35
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Georgia is $20,255,882.35. Across 17 reported cases totaling $344,350,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $350,000 to a maximum of $280,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $3,000,000.
Hawaii
- Average Settlement: $4,524,285.71
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Hawaii is $4,524,285.71. Across 14 reported cases totaling $63,340,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $175,000 to a maximum of $15,400,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,410,000.
Idaho
- Average Settlement: $3,724,131.92
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Idaho is $3,724,131.92. Across 12 reported cases totaling $44,689,583 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $95,000 to a maximum of $18,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,350,000.
Illinois
- Average Settlement: $9,623,645.83
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Illinois is $9,623,645.83. Across 24 reported cases totaling $230,967,500 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $990,000 to a maximum of $42,400,000, with a median settlement amount of $4,400,000.
Indiana
- Average Settlement: $7,377,647.06
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Indiana is $7,377,647.06. Across 17 reported cases totaling $125,420,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $390,000 to a maximum of $50,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,150,000.
Iowa
- Average Settlement: $4,154,705.88
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Iowa is $4,154,705.88. Across 17 reported cases totaling $70,630,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $175,000 to a maximum of $29,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $3,000,000.
Kansas
- Average Settlement: $1,824,166.67
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Kansas is $1,824,166.67. Across 3 reported cases totaling $5,472,500 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $2,875,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,597,500.
Kentucky
- Average Settlement: $4,383,333.33
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Kentucky is $4,383,333.33. Across 3 reported cases totaling $13,150,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of $12,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,000,000.
Louisiana
- Average Settlement: $2,875,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Louisiana is $2,875,000.00. Across 2 reported cases totaling $5,750,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,250,000 to a maximum of $4,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,875,000.
Maine
- Average Settlement: $100,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, Maine recorded a settlement value of $100,000.00. Based on this single reported case, the total settlement volume, average, median, minimum, and maximum values all stand at $100,000.00.
Maryland
- Average Settlement: $7,580,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Maryland is $7,580,000.00. Across 5 reported cases totaling $37,900,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $400,000 to a maximum of $20,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $6,000,000.
Massachusetts
- Average Settlement: $4,700,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, Massachusetts recorded a settlement value of $4,700,000.00. Based on this single reported case, the total settlement volume, average, median, minimum, and maximum values all stand at $4,700,000.00.
Michigan
- Average Settlement: $3,650,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Michigan is $3,650,000.00. Across 5 reported cases totaling $18,250,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,500,000 to a maximum of $8,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,600,000.
Minnesota
- Average Settlement: $3,650,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Minnesota is $3,650,000.00. Across 5 reported cases totaling $18,250,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,500,000 to a maximum of $8,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,600,000.
Mississippi
- Average Settlement: $17,786.25
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, Mississippi recorded a settlement value of $17,786.25. Based on this single reported case, the total settlement volume, average, median, minimum, and maximum values all stand at $17,786.25.
Missouri
- Average Settlement: $88,632,534.80
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Missouri is $88,632,534.80. Across 10 reported cases totaling $886,325,348 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $745,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $3,150,000.
Montana
- Average Settlement: $514,714.29
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Montana is $514,714.29. Across 7 reported cases totaling $3,603,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $18,000 to a maximum of $2,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $400,000.
Nebraska
- Average Settlement: $880,500,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Nebraska is $880,500,000.00. Across 3 reported cases totaling $2,641,500,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $2,640,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,000,000.
Nevada
- Average Settlement: $3,925,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Nevada is $3,925,000.00. Across 6 reported cases totaling $23,550,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,350,000 to a maximum of $9,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $3,300,000.
New Hampshire
- Average Settlement: $8,875,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in New Hampshire is $8,875,000.00. Across 2 reported cases totaling $17,750,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $2,250,000 to a maximum of $15,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $8,875,000.
New Jersey
- Average Settlement: $3,308,333.33
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in New Jersey is $3,308,333.33. Across 6 reported cases totaling $19,850,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $7,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,900,000.
New Mexico
- Average Settlement: $12,750,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in New Mexico is $12,750,000.00. Across 2 reported cases totaling $25,500,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $5,500,000 to a maximum of $20,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $12,750,000.
New York
- Average Settlement: $15,277,777.78
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in New York is $15,277,777.78. Across 9 reported cases totaling $137,500,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $2,600,000 to a maximum of $90,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $5,900,000.
North Carolina
- Average Settlement: $7,433,638.08
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in North Carolina is $7,433,638.08. Across 25 reported cases totaling $185,840,952 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $200,000 to a maximum of $50,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,930,952.
North Dakota
- Average Settlement: $2,281,666.67
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in North Dakota is $2,281,666.67. Across 15 reported cases totaling $34,225,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $175,000 to a maximum of $9,600,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,300,000.
Ohio
- Average Settlement: $7,889,659.09
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Ohio is $7,889,659.09. Across 22 reported cases totaling $173,572,500 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $275,000 to a maximum of $39,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $4,800,000.
Oklahoma
- Average Settlement: $17,289,285.71
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Oklahoma is $17,289,285.71. Across 21 reported cases totaling $363,075,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $200,000 to a maximum of $126,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $8,400,000.
Oregon
- Average Settlement: $2,116,513.23
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Oregon is $2,116,513.23. Across 13 reported cases totaling $27,514,672 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $225,000 to a maximum of $4,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,475,000.
Pennsylvania
- Average Settlement: $35,244,285.71
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Pennsylvania is $35,244,285.71. Across 7 reported cases totaling $246,710,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,100,000 to a maximum of $227,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,600,000.
Rhode Island
- Average Settlement: $10,267,500.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Rhode Island is $10,267,500.00. Across 10 reported cases totaling $102,675,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $30,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $5,700,000.
South Carolina
- Average Settlement: $46,261,036.82
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in South Carolina is $46,261,036.82. Across 22 reported cases totaling $1,017,742,810 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $90,000 to a maximum of $738,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $9,150,000.
South Dakota
- Average Settlement: $1,795,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in South Dakota is $1,795,000.00. Across 2 reported cases totaling $3,590,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,090,000 to a maximum of $2,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $1,795,000.
Tennessee
- Average Settlement: $6,346,250.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Tennessee is $6,346,250.00. Across 6 reported cases totaling $38,077,500 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $377,500 to a maximum of $20,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $3,375,000.
Texas
- Average Settlement: $510,007,923.32
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Texas is $510,007,923.32. Across 19 reported cases totaling $9,690,150,543 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $7,370,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $6,585,543.
Utah
- Average Settlement: $24,167,857.14
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Utah is $24,167,857.14. Across 7 reported cases totaling $169,175,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $81,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $10,000,000.
Vermont
- Average Settlement: $456,000.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Vermont is $456,000.00. Across 5 reported cases totaling $2,280,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $45,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $260,000.
Virginia
- Average Settlement: $3,176,885.47
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Virginia is $3,176,885.47. Across 15 reported cases totaling $47,653,282 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $12,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,230,000.
Washington
- Average Settlement: $27,353,846.15
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Washington is $27,353,846.15. Across 13 reported cases totaling $355,600,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $1,600,000 to a maximum of $130,000,000, with a median settlement amount of $5,250,000.
West Virginia
- Average Settlement: $24,197,750.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in West Virginia is $24,197,750.00. Across 4 reported cases totaling $96,791,000 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $691,000 to a maximum of $91,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $2,300,000.
Wisconsin
- Average Settlement: $5,785,143.00
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Wisconsin is $5,785,143.00. Across 10 reported cases totaling $57,851,430 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $275,000 to a maximum of $26,500,000, with a median settlement amount of $3,875,000.
Wyoming
- Average Settlement: $629,166.67
- Details of the case: According to the 2026 wrongful death settlement data study, the average wrongful death settlement in Wyoming is $629,166.67. Across 3 reported cases totaling $1,887,500 in cumulative settlement payouts, values ranged from a minimum of $310,000 to a maximum of $1,200,000, with a median settlement amount of $377,500.
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Disclaimer: The facts and circumstances of your case may differ from the matters described on this page. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict future case outcomes. Results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.