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.
- July 8, 2025
What Is Loss of Household Services in a New York Injury Claim?
Quick Answer: In a New York personal injury claim, “loss of household services” refers to the financial value of the work a person can no longer perform around the house due to injuries sustained in an accident. This includes tasks like cleaning, cooking, laundry, yard work, and childcare, which an injured person would have otherwise done themselves or paid someone else to do. The value is typically determined by the cost of hiring someone to perform those tasks.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of loss of household services:
- What It Encompasses: Loss of household services covers a wide range of tasks essential for maintaining a home and family life. This can include interior cleaning, laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, routine errands, yard work, home maintenance, childcare, and even tasks like sewing and repairing textiles. It accounts for the non-leisure time spent on these necessary domestic duties.
- How It’s Calculated: The financial value for this type of damage is typically based on the reasonable cost of hiring a third party to perform the injured person’s usual household duties for the duration they are unable to do so. This could be determined by hourly rates for cleaning services, childcare, or handyman work.
- Importance in Claims: This is an important element of damages in both personal injury and wrongful death cases. It reflects a tangible economic impact of the injury on the household, representing a real financial loss that often goes unnoticed until the injured person can no longer perform these tasks.
- Beyond Just Spouses: While loss of household services is often associated with the contributions of a spouse, it can extend to the contributions of any injured family member. This includes children or other relatives who performed valuable household tasks, and upon their injury, these tasks must now be done by others or outsourced.
- Expert Testimony: In some personal injury cases, particularly those involving severe or long-term injuries, a vocational or economic expert might be involved. These experts can assess the injured person’s functional limitations, determine the extent of their inability to perform household tasks, and provide an expert opinion on the reasonable cost of replacing those services.
- Relationship to Other Damages: It’s important to distinguish loss of household services from other types of non-economic damages. For example, it is distinct from “loss of consortium,” which focuses on the impact of the injury on the marital relationship, including companionship and affection. Loss of household services quantifies the financial value of the labor itself.
To learn more or talk about your specific situation, call our personal injury attorneys at The Orlow Firm for a free consultation at (646) 647-3398.
Why Does Loss of Household Services Matter After an Accident?
Loss of household services matters after an accident because it affects the daily life of an injured person and their family. These are the everyday tasks someone normally does at home but can no longer perform due to their injuries. Without this help, households can struggle to function properly.
For example, imagine a parent in Brooklyn who used to take care of the kids, cook meals, clean, and do laundry. After an accident, they may not be able to do those things—at least not without pain or risk of making their injuries worse. This puts extra pressure on the rest of the family, or it may require hiring outside help, which can be costly. In a place like New York City, where families often rely on one income or live in smaller spaces, this change can have a big impact.
Recognizing loss of household services in a personal injury claim helps account for these real-life challenges. It allows injured people to seek compensation for:
- Unpaid household labor they can no longer do, such as cleaning, childcare, or grocery shopping
- Costs of hiring help to take over these tasks, like a cleaner, nanny, or caregiver
- Strain on family members who may miss work or suffer stress by stepping in to help
This type of loss may not seem as obvious as lost wages or medical bills, but it plays a big role in a person’s recovery and well-being. If your daily life has changed because of an accident in New York City, it’s important to make sure every part of your loss is considered in your legal claim—including household services.
Understanding and documenting these losses can strengthen your case. To learn what steps to take, you can speak directly with a personal injury attorney. Contact The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Who Can Claim Loss of Household Services in NYC?
In New York City, the person who was injured in an accident is usually the one who can claim loss of household services. This refers to the value of everyday tasks the injured person can no longer do because of their injuries. These tasks might include cooking, cleaning, shopping, caring for children, or other jobs that help run the home.
To make this type of claim, you must show that your injuries have made it hard or impossible for you to do these duties. You also need to show that the services you can no longer perform have real value—either because someone else had to do them or because you had to pay someone else to help.
Here are the main people who may be able to claim for loss of household services in NYC:
- The injured person: You can include the value of lost household help as part of your personal injury claim.
- The spouse or partner of the injured person: In some cases, your spouse may also be able to bring a separate claim, often called a “loss of consortium” claim. This can include the loss of services the injured person used to provide at home.
- Parents of injured children: If a child is injured and can no longer help around the house as they used to, the parent may be able to claim for the extra effort or services now needed.
It’s important to remember that this claim is only available if someone else’s negligence caused the injuries. For example, if you were hurt in a car crash in Manhattan or slipped on a wet floor in a Bronx grocery store, and someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
Loss of household services is part of the broader damages you might be able to recover after an accident. It helps ensure you’re paid not only for lost wages or medical bills, but also for the real impact your injuries have on your daily life and those around you.
If you believe you may have a claim for loss of household services, or are unsure whether this applies to your situation, it’s a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer. To learn more, call The Orlow Firm for a free consultation at (646) 647-3398.
How Is Loss of Household Services Calculated in New York Injury Cases?
In New York injury cases, loss of household services is calculated by looking at how the person’s injuries affect their ability to do everyday tasks at home. These are tasks the injured person used to do before the accident—like cooking, cleaning, childcare, or home repairs—but can no longer perform because of the injury.
This type of loss is treated as a form of economic damage. That means it has a dollar value, just like lost wages or medical bills. To calculate this value, insurance companies, lawyers, and courts may consider several factors:
- What tasks were done before the injury: The first step is figuring out what kinds of household duties the injured person regularly performed before the accident—laundry, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, and so on.
- Who is doing those tasks now: If a family member or hired worker is now doing these tasks, that can help show what was lost and what it now costs to replace those services.
- How much time those tasks take: Time spent on household work can be estimated using time-use surveys or records, especially if the work was done daily before the injury.
- Cost of replacement services: Courts often use the cost of hiring someone in New York City to perform those services. For example, they may look at the hourly rate for housekeepers, childcare workers, or handymen in NYC.
- Length of time the services are lost: The value depends on how long the injured person is expected to be unable to do the tasks. It could be weeks, months, or even a permanent loss.
To put this into perspective, imagine a Bronx resident who regularly cooked dinner, did laundry, and took care of two children before being injured in a car crash. If they now need to hire a housekeeper or babysitter temporarily or permanently, the cost of those services can be used to estimate the loss of household services in their injury claim.
Sometimes, expert witnesses like care planners or economists are involved in evaluating and calculating these losses. They may use local wages and service rates in New York City to determine a fair value.
Keep in mind, every situation is different. The calculation depends on the person’s past routine, the seriousness of their injuries, and what services are now needed. Showing detailed proof of these changes can help make a stronger case for fair compensation.
What Types of Household Tasks Are Typically Considered?
When someone is hurt in an accident, they may no longer be able to perform their usual tasks at home. In New York City personal injury claims, this loss is known as loss of household services. These services are the unpaid tasks a person normally does to care for their household and family.
Some common types of household tasks that may be considered in a claim include:
- Cleaning and housekeeping : Daily chores like vacuuming, mopping, taking out the trash, and dusting.
- Cooking and meal preparation : Planning meals, grocery shopping, cooking, and washing dishes.
- Laundry and clothing care : Washing, drying, folding clothes, and ironing.
- Childcare : Getting kids ready for school, helping with homework, and supervising play.
- Transportation : Driving family members to school, the doctor, or other errands.
- Elder care : Assisting older family members with meals, medication, and doctor visits.
- Home maintenance : Small repairs, yard work, shoveling snow, or other upkeep tasks.
- Pet care : Feeding pets, taking them to the vet, and daily care like walking dogs.
The court or insurance companies look at how the injury has affected the injured person’s ability to do these tasks. They may also consider how often the tasks were done and who now has to do them instead. For example, if a parent in the Bronx who normally handled all school drop-offs after work can no longer drive, that time and effort may be counted as lost household services.
It’s important to show detailed records and proof. This may include personal statements, medical records, or even notes from family members. Every case is unique, but these types of tasks are commonly reviewed when deciding the value of lost household services in a New York injury claim.
Can Family Members Recover for Loss of Household Services?
Yes, in many cases, family members can recover for loss of household services if a loved one is injured in an accident. This type of loss is considered part of the damages caused by the injury. In New York, it is a way to recognize how an injury impacts not just the victim, but also their household and loved ones.
When a person is seriously hurt, they may no longer be able to do regular household tasks. These can include cooking, cleaning, shopping, child care, or home maintenance. If someone else in the family has to take over these duties—or if the family must hire help—the cost and time involved may be included in the injury claim.
Here’s how family members may be affected:
- Increased responsibilities: A spouse or other family member may now spend extra hours doing chores the injured person used to handle.
- Financial loss: If a family member must take time off from work or pay for outside help, that cost can be considered part of the claim.
- Loss of support: In some cases, the injured person provided important emotional or caregiving support. While harder to measure, this too can be part of the overall damages.
Who may be able to recover:
- Spouses are often the ones most affected and may be included in the claim.
- Parents or adult children may also have a right to recover if they relied on the injured person’s help at home.
It’s important to note that the claim is usually made by the victim as part of their personal injury case. However, the value of household services lost impacts the total compensation the family could receive.
If you believe you or a loved one in New York City may be entitled to recover for loss of household services, speaking to a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights. For questions or a free consultation, contact The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398.
How Does Loss of Household Services Affect Your Compensation?
Loss of household services can play an important role in how much compensation you may receive after an injury in New York City. When someone is hurt and cannot perform their usual tasks at home, such as cleaning, cooking, or caring for children, it creates a loss—not just for them, but for their entire household. This type of loss can be added to your personal injury claim as part of your total damages.
Your compensation may increase if you can show that your injury prevents you from doing the household work you used to do regularly. Courts and insurance companies may include the cost of replacing those services when deciding how much money you are owed.
Here’s how loss of household services may affect your injury compensation:
- Added economic damages: Loss of household services is considered a financial (or economic) loss. You may receive money to cover the cost of hiring help to do the tasks you can no longer do.
- Greater total payout: Including these costs in your injury claim can raise the total value of your compensation. This helps cover your family’s real-life needs while you recover.
- Long-term care needs: If your injury will last a long time or result in a disability, the value of household services lost may be even higher. Compensation may include ongoing or future assistance needs.
Example: Suppose a parent who regularly cooks dinner, cleans the apartment, and takes care of young children is injured in a car accident. If that parent now needs to pay others to do those tasks—like hiring a babysitter or cleaning service—that cost can be added to their injury claim. In New York City, this can add up quickly due to high service rates.
It’s important to note that compensation for loss of household services usually depends on supporting evidence. This might include your doctor’s opinion, proof of the type and amount of work you did before the injury, and receipts for services you now have to pay for.
If you believe your injury stopped you from doing regular household tasks, the legal team at The Orlow Firm can help you understand how that may affect your case. For guidance on your personal injury claim, call us at (646) 647-3398 for a free and confidential consultation.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Loss of Household Services in NYC?
To prove a claim for loss of household services in New York City, you need to show that the injured person can no longer perform specific daily tasks at home due to their injuries. These tasks include things like cleaning, cooking, childcare, or maintenance. The court or insurance company will need clear, detailed evidence to support this part of your injury claim.
Here are some types of evidence commonly used to show loss of household services:
- Medical Records: These should show the extent of the injury and how it limits the person’s ability to carry out daily activities. For example, if someone fractured their back and can no longer lift heavy objects, their doctor’s report should state that clearly.
- Testimony from the Injured Person: The injured person can explain what kinds of household tasks they used to do and how the injury has stopped them from doing those things.
- Statements from Family Members: A spouse or relative may provide written or spoken statements explaining how much the injured person used to do around the home and how others now have to take over those duties.
- Proof of Hired Help: If the family had to hire someone to help with tasks like cleaning, cooking, or childcare, receipts and invoices can help show the extra costs caused by the injury.
- Daily Activity Logs: These journals or notes can show what tasks the person used to do each day and how that has changed since the accident.
- Occupational or Vocational Expert Reports: In some cases, a specialist may be called to examine how the injury affects a person’s ability to perform household duties. These reports add strong support to a claim.
In New York City, it’s also helpful to explain how the injury affects the household in a real and measurable way. For instance, in a busy Brooklyn family where one parent used to do all the cooking, cleaning, and shopping, a sudden injury could mean major disruptions and added expenses.
Keep in mind that every claim is unique. The more specific and supported your evidence is, the better your chances are of having this part of your case taken seriously. If you’re unsure what documentation is needed or how to collect it, a personal injury attorney can guide you through the process. For guidance, you can contact The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398.
FAQ About Loss of Household Services in New York Injury Claims
- What is “loss of household services” in a personal injury claim? It refers to the value of the tasks, chores, or services someone can no longer do at home because of an injury. These might include cleaning, cooking, childcare, or home repairs. If someone else now has to do these jobs—or you must pay for help—you may be able to recover damages.
- Who can claim loss of household services in New York? Typically, the injured person files the claim. However, a spouse or dependent family member may also be affected. For example, if a parent can no longer care for young children after an injury, that lost contribution may be considered.
- What types of tasks count as household services? Common examples include:
- Cooking meals
- Grocery shopping
- Cleaning and laundry
- Childcare or elder care
- Yardwork or snow removal
- Home maintenance like minor repairs
- Do I need to hire outside help to claim loss of services? Not necessarily. You can still claim the value of your lost work, even if a spouse, child, or friend is doing the tasks for free. However, it helps to show how the work changed hands and its estimated value.
- How is the value of household services calculated? Courts may use the cost of hiring someone to perform the tasks you can no longer do. This can include hourly rates for cleaners, childcare providers, or handymen in the New York City area. Your age, occupation, and level of responsibility at home are also considered.
- Is loss of household services the same as lost wages? No. Lost wages refer to income from your job, while loss of household services relates to unpaid work you did at home. Both may be included in your injury claim if they’re supported by strong evidence.
- Is loss of household services covered by no-fault insurance? New York’s no-fault system may cover some costs related to household help after a car accident. However, the amount is limited, and not all services qualify. For larger claims, you may need to go outside the no-fault system through a personal injury lawsuit.
- What kind of evidence do I need? Keep track of:
- Doctor’s records showing your injury’s impact
- Testimony from family about changes at home
- Receipts for paid help, like cleaners or babysitters
- Daily logs or calendars showing time lost on chores
- How long can I claim loss of household services? That depends on how long your injury lasts. You may recover damages for the short-term or for future losses if the injury leads to lasting disability. A legal professional can help estimate the appropriate timeframe.
- Should I talk to a lawyer about household services claims? Yes. These claims can be complicated to prove and value, especially in New York City. An attorney familiar with injury cases can help build a strong claim and deal with insurance companies or legal filings.
Contact The Orlow Firm for a Free Consultation on Your Injury Claim
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident in New York City, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of household services. This refers to the value of household tasks the injured person can no longer perform. These might include cooking, cleaning, childcare, laundry, grocery shopping, or other regular chores.
The Orlow Firm understands how life can change after an injury. Tasks that seemed simple before the accident may now be painful or impossible to do. When this happens, your family may be forced to hire help or take on extra burdens at home—all of which can be part of your injury claim.
To find out how loss of household services may apply to your case, we offer a free consultation. During this call or meeting, we can:
- Review what household services you or your loved one provided before the injury
- Discuss how the injury impacts your daily life and home responsibilities
- Explain how this type of damage may affect your overall compensation
- Go over what documents or records could support your claim
Every injury case is different, and loss of household services can depend on many factors, such as the severity of the injury, the person’s role in the household, and whether other family members have taken over those tasks. Our goal is to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
The Orlow Firm has been helping New York City families through the personal injury claims process for years. We focus on providing professional guidance and compassionate support throughout your case.
Ready to talk? Call us at (646) 647-3398 for your free consultation. We’re here to listen and help you take the next step toward getting the compensation you may deserve.
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.
