The Following People Contributed to This Page
Cindy Cordova is a seasoned legal writer with over seven years of experience crafting clear, informative, and professional content for law firm websites. With a B.A. in English from Trinity Christian College, she combines her strong writing background with a deep understanding of legal topics to help firms connect with their clients through trustworthy and accessible content.
- June 25, 2025
What Are Life Expectancy Tables and Why Do They Matter in New York Injury Cases?
Quick Answer: In New York personal injury cases, life expectancy tables are statistical tools used to estimate how long a person is expected to live, particularly when dealing with permanent injuries. These tables, often based on age, gender, and race, help determine the duration of potential future damages, like medical expenses or lost income, that a jury should consider when awarding compensation.
Here’s how life expectancy tables are used:
- What It Is: Life expectancy tables are actuarial instruments that provide a statistical projection of a person’s remaining years of life. They are widely used in legal contexts to estimate the duration of long-term financial losses or needs.
- Determining Damages: When an individual suffers a permanent injury due to another’s negligence, their life expectancy becomes a crucial factor. These tables help in calculating the total compensation needed to cover future losses such as ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity, as juries need to understand the duration over which these damages should be calculated.
- Statistical Averages: These tables present statistical averages derived from large population sets. They account for various demographic factors, including age, gender, and racial groups, to provide a general projection, but they are not tailored to each individual’s specific health condition or circumstances.
- Catastrophic Injuries: Life expectancy tables are particularly significant in cases involving catastrophic injuries where the injured person requires extensive and long-term medical care, personal assistance, or ongoing financial support throughout their remaining lifetime.
- Legal Guidance: Attorneys, judges, and economists use these tables as a standard reference when assessing, negotiating, and ultimately settling personal injury claims. They provide a common framework for valuing future damages.
- Individualized Assessment: While the tables offer a general guideline, legal and medical professionals may also consider specific individual factors. This can include the injured person’s pre-injury health status, lifestyle choices, any pre-existing medical conditions that might affect longevity, and the specific impact of the injury itself to refine the life expectancy estimate for a particular case.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in NYC, understanding how these estimates work—and what affects them—can be important for your case. For help with your injury claim, call the personal injury lawyers at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
How Do Life Expectancy Tables Help Calculate Future Damages in NYC?
Life expectancy tables are used to estimate how long a person is likely to live based on age, gender, and other factors. In personal injury and wrongful death cases in New York City, these tables help courts and insurance companies figure out how much money may be owed for future damages.
Future damages are losses that happen after the case is settled or the trial ends. These can include:
- Medical expenses that continue for years or a lifetime
- Lost future earnings if the person can’t go back to work
- Long-term care costs , like home health aides or nursing care
- Pain and suffering over a long period of time
To calculate these things, lawyers and insurance companies look at how many more years the injured person was expected to live if the injury hadn’t happened. They use life expectancy tables to get an estimate.
For example, let’s say a 35-year-old man is seriously hurt in an accident in Brooklyn. Based on widely accepted life expectancy tables, he might be expected to live another 45 years. If he cannot work again, the court may consider 45 years of lost income when deciding on damages. The same goes for future medical bills or help he might need to live independently.
In New York courts, both sides may present different life expectancy tables or argue about what number should be used. Even though the tables are based on averages, they give a starting point to figure out long-term losses. These estimates are adjusted depending on the person’s background, health, lifestyle, and injury.
In wrongful death cases, life expectancy tables may also be used to estimate how many years the deceased person might have lived. That number helps determine things like lost financial support or services the person would have provided to their family.
By using life expectancy tables, courts in New York try to make sure injury victims or their families receive fair compensation for the future impact of an accident, especially when the effects are permanent or long-lasting.
Who Creates Life Expectancy Tables and Are They Always Accurate?
Life expectancy tables are created by government agencies, insurance companies, and statisticians. These tables predict how many more years a person is likely to live based on certain factors like age and gender. In New York, courts often refer to tables published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or by the Social Security Administration (SSA). These tables are widely used in personal injury and wrongful death cases to help calculate future damages, such as lost wages or medical care costs.
But are these tables always accurate? Not necessarily. Life expectancy tables are based on averages for large groups of people. They are useful, but they do not show how long a specific person will actually live. For example, a healthy 40-year-old may have a predicted life expectancy of 78 years. But that number doesn’t consider personal factors like health conditions, lifestyle habits, or occupation.
Several things may cause differences between a general life expectancy and a person’s actual situation:
- Health Status: People with chronic illnesses may have shorter life expectancies.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, poor diet, or risky activities can impact expected life span.
- Occupation: Someone in a high-risk job, like construction, might face greater risks that reduce life expectancy.
- Medical Advances: New treatments may help some people live longer than predicted by older tables.
Because of these differences, lawyers and experts in New York personal injury cases may bring in doctors or economic experts to adjust the numbers. They can provide opinions based on the injured person’s unique situation. This helps create a more accurate estimate of future damages.
For example: If someone in Brooklyn suffers a brain injury that will require lifelong care, lawyers might use life expectancy tables along with expert medical reports to estimate how long care may be needed. These numbers become part of the total compensation requested in a claim or lawsuit.
While life expectancy tables are helpful tools, they are not perfect. They should be viewed as part of a larger picture, not the final answer.
What Factors Can Affect Life Expectancy Estimates in a Damage Claim?
Life expectancy estimates are a key part of figuring out future damages in a personal injury or wrongful death case. These estimates help courts and insurance companies decide how long an injured person might live, which impacts how much compensation they may receive for lost income, medical care, and other needs. However, several factors can affect how life expectancy is calculated in a damage claim.
Here are some common factors that may change a person’s estimated life expectancy:
- Age: Younger people usually have a longer life expectancy. An older person may be expected to live fewer years, which affects the total projected damages.
- Gender: On average, women tend to live longer than men. This is factored in when using life expectancy tables.
- Health before the injury: A person with a history of serious health conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, may have a lower life expectancy than someone who was healthy before the injury.
- Severity of the injury: Life-threatening or permanent injuries can shorten a person’s life span. For example, a spinal cord injury or brain damage may increase the risk of complications over time.
- Lifestyle choices: Smoking, heavy drinking, poor diet, or lack of exercise may lower expected lifespan. On the other hand, a healthy lifestyle may support a higher estimate.
- Medical advancements and care: Access to proper treatment, medication, and rehab can affect long-term outcomes—and possibly increase life expectancy after an injury.
- Occupation and income: In some cases, a person’s job or income level can influence their access to healthcare, which may affect lifespan. For example, someone with solid health insurance and stable employment may live longer compared to someone struggling to afford care.
- Family history: A background of serious diseases within a family, such as cancer or heart conditions, may also play a role in estimating life expectancy.
In New York City injury cases, lawyers and insurance companies may use standardized life expectancy tables published by sources like the U.S. Social Security Administration or the New York Department of Health. But they may also bring in medical experts or economists to give a more accurate estimate based on the person’s unique situation.
Because every person and injury is different, these estimates aren’t one-size-fits-all. Life expectancy is just one part of the full picture in figuring out how much compensation someone might need over a lifetime.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in NYC, understanding how these estimates work—and what affects them—can be important for your case. For help with your injury claim, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
How Are Life Expectancy Tables Used in New York Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases?
Life expectancy tables are often used in New York personal injury and wrongful death cases to help calculate how long a person was expected to live. These numbers are then used to figure out how much money may be owed in damages for future losses. In simple terms, they help estimate how much financial help the injured person—or their family—might need over time.
For example, if someone is hurt in an accident and can no longer work, the court will want to know how many years they might have been able to earn a living. Life expectancy tables provide a starting point for that estimate. These tables are based on statistics like age and gender, and are published by agencies such as the U.S. Social Security Administration or the New York State Department of Health.
In personal injury cases, these tables are used to help decide:
- Lost future income: If the injured person can’t work anymore, how many working years were lost?
- Medical costs: How many years of medical care or assistance might be needed?
- Pain and suffering: How many years might the person live with pain, disability, or reduced quality of life?
In wrongful death cases, life expectancy tables help figure out:
- How long the person would have lived if the accident hadn’t happened
- Losses to the family, such as lost income or care the person would have provided
For instance, if a 40-year-old parent dies in a crash caused by someone else’s actions, the court may use a table to estimate they had another 40 years to live. Based on that estimate, the court may consider how much money they could have earned and what support they could have given to their children or spouse in those years.
It’s important to know that these tables are only a tool. They are not exact predictions of how long someone would have lived. Lawyers and courts also look at other factors like health history or lifestyle when making these calculations.
If you’ve been seriously hurt or lost a loved one in New York City, life expectancy estimates can play a big role in your legal case. Understanding how they are used can help you see why every detail matters. For help with your situation, contact The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Can Life Expectancy Tables Be Challenged or Updated During a Case?
Yes, life expectancy tables can be challenged or updated during a personal injury or wrongful death case in New York. These tables are used to help calculate the value of future damages, like lost income or medical needs. But they are not always final or exact. Courts and attorneys can question how they are used, especially when they don’t reflect the individual’s real life situation.
Reasons life expectancy tables may be challenged include:
- Health Conditions: If the injured person has a serious illness or disability, their life expectancy may be shorter than what the table shows.
- Lifestyle Factors: Habits like smoking, heavy drinking, or risky activities can also affect life span and make standard tables less accurate.
- Exceptional Health: On the other hand, a person in excellent health may live longer than average. This could increase future damage calculations.
- Updated Medical Standards: Judges or lawyers may use newer data if the table being used is outdated or based on old census information.
- Occupation: Some jobs carry higher risks, which could impact expected life span and future earnings.
How are challenges to life expectancy tables handled?
In New York City courts, each side may present their own expert witness. These experts may be doctors, economists, or life-care planners who can offer opinions based on the individual’s personal health and future needs. They might use other sources, like updated government data or medical studies, to argue for a different estimate.
The judge or jury then decides which estimate is more reasonable. They may choose to rely on the standard table, accept a revised estimate, or create their own figure based on the evidence.
Why does this matter?
Changing a life expectancy estimate can greatly impact the amount of compensation in a case. A longer life span may increase payment for future care and earnings. A shorter one may lower those totals. That’s why it’s important to look closely at the numbers, especially when serious injuries are involved.
If you believe life expectancy might affect your injury claim in NYC, it’s important to understand how the estimate is being used and whether it fairly reflects your situation. The Orlow Firm can help you figure that out. Call us at (646) 647-3398 to discuss your case in a free and confidential consultation.
Why Understanding Life Expectancy Tables Matters If You Have Been Seriously Hurt in NYC
If you’ve been seriously hurt in New York City, understanding life expectancy tables can play an important role in your personal injury case. These tables help estimate how long a person is expected to live. That number can directly affect how much money you may be able to recover for future damages.
When someone is injured because of another person’s carelessness, they may be entitled to compensation. This can include costs that will continue for years. Some examples are ongoing medical treatment, home care services, or even loss of future income. To figure out how long these costs will last, lawyers, insurance companies, and courts often use life expectancy tables.
Here’s why understanding life expectancy tables matters for your case:
- They help estimate future medical care costs: If your injuries will require lifelong treatment, the court needs to know how many years that care is expected to last. Life expectancy tables provide that estimate.
- They affect lost income awards: If you can’t return to work, the court may use your life expectancy to calculate how many more years of wages you’ve lost.
- They shape the value of pain and suffering: If the injury has caused long-term physical or emotional pain, life expectancy can influence how long you’ll experience that suffering, which affects the total amount of damages.
In New York City, these tables may come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or other government data. Courts might also use charts published by the New York State Department of Health. These tables consider things like age and gender, but they don’t cover personal health or lifestyle. That means, if you were in above-average health before the injury, your actual life expectancy might be longer than the chart shows.
Understanding these tables can also help:
- Prepare for negotiations: Insurance companies may use different life expectancy data to try to lower what they pay. Knowing how the tables work can help you or your attorney push back.
- Spot unfair calculations: If someone uses a table that underestimates your likely lifespan, it could lower your compensation unfairly.
- Support your legal strategy: Your legal team may bring in medical or economic experts to provide a more accurate lifespan based on your case. This can lead to more fair damage calculations.
Being seriously hurt can change your life in ways you never expected. If your case involves long-term effects, life expectancy tables will likely be part of how damages are calculated. Having a basic understanding of how they work helps you stay informed during your case. If you have questions or want to know how these tables may apply to your claim, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free and confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Life Expectancy Tables and Damage Calculations in New York
- What is a life expectancy table? A life expectancy table is a chart that shows the average number of years a person is expected to live. It is based on data like age, gender, and sometimes other factors like overall health. These tables are often used in New York injury cases when calculating future damages such as medical costs or lost income.
- Why is life expectancy important in a personal injury case? If someone is seriously hurt, they may need medical care for the rest of their life. Life expectancy helps estimate how long that care will last. It also helps calculate other long-term costs, like future lost wages or the cost of home care, based on how many more years the person would likely live.
- Where do life expectancy tables come from? Most life expectancy tables used in New York courts come from government sources like the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Judges, lawyers, and insurance companies often refer to these tables during settlement discussions or trials.
- Are life expectancy tables always accurate? These tables give an average, but they don’t cover every situation. For example, a person’s personal health history or lifestyle can affect how long they are expected to live. In some cases, medical experts may give their own opinion to adjust the numbers in a more fair or accurate way.
- Can life expectancy tables be used in wrongful death cases? Yes. In a wrongful death case, life expectancy helps figure out how many more years the person might have lived if the accident had not happened. This can impact the amount of damages the family may be able to receive for lost income, support, or companionship.
- Can lawyers or insurance companies argue over life expectancy estimates? Yes. Lawyers may use different experts or tables to support different life expectancy estimates. Insurance companies might try to lower the number to limit how much they have to pay. Personal injury lawyers can use evidence from doctors or other professionals to support a higher and more realistic estimate.
- How does life expectancy affect damages like future medical costs? If a person will likely live for 30 more years with an injury, their future care needs to be paid for during that time. Life expectancy helps estimate the total cost of future treatments, home care, equipment, and more. A longer life expectancy usually means higher total damages.
- Does every injury case in New York use life expectancy tables? Not always. Life expectancy is usually used in cases where the injury causes lasting harm or long-term needs. It’s most common in cases involving permanent disability or wrongful death.
- Can life expectancy change during a case? Yes. If a person’s health condition changes, or new medical tests show different results, a doctor or life care planner may adjust their estimate. Courts may allow updated information depending on the stage of the case.
- What should I do if I have more questions about my injury case? If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in New York City, it’s important to understand how life expectancy could affect your compensation. For answers based on your specific situation, call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Contact The Orlow Firm for a Free Consultation on Your Injury Case in NYC
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in New York City, understanding how life expectancy tables impact your personal injury or wrongful death case is important. These tables are often used to estimate how long someone is expected to live, which can directly affect how future losses—like medical bills, lost earnings, or care needs—are calculated.
At The Orlow Firm, we know these calculations can be confusing and even overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help explain how life expectancy tables work in the legal process and what they may mean for your case. Whether you’re dealing with a long-term injury or the loss of a loved one, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Our team can:
- Review your case to understand how life expectancy estimates apply
- Work with qualified experts like economists or doctors when needed
- Make sure the proper tables are used under New York law
- Challenge unfair or outdated assumptions in court if necessary
Every case is unique. Factors like your health, background, and treatment plan can affect how long-term impacts are measured. Speaking with a legal team that understands the details of these calculations can help protect your rights and make sure you’re not undervalued in the process.
To learn more about how life expectancy tables might affect your injury or wrongful death claim in New York City, contact The Orlow Firm for a free consultation at (646) 647-3398. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options.
The Following People Contributed to This Page
Cindy Cordova is a seasoned legal writer with over seven years of experience crafting clear, informative, and professional content for law firm websites. With a B.A. in English from Trinity Christian College, she combines her strong writing background with a deep understanding of legal topics to help firms connect with their clients through trustworthy and accessible content.
