B. Loss of Spouse's Services, Society and Consortium (2/96)
A husband/wife is entitled to the services of his/her spouse in attending to the household duties, to companionship and comfort, and consortium, that is, marital relations. A plaintiff who is awarded a verdict is entitled to fair and reasonable compensation for any loss of impairment of his or her spouse's services, society or consortium because of injuries sustained by him or her as a proximate result of the defendant's negligence (or other wrongdoing). Damages may be awarded not only for total loss of services but for a worsening of their quality.
[If appropriate the judge may charge,] Damages may include but are not limited to out of pocket expenses incurred in engaging the services of others to perform household duties previously attended to by his or her spouse.
Cases:
Schuttler v. Reinhardt, 17 N.J. Super. 480 (App. Div. 1952); Rex v. Hunter, 26 N.J. 489 (1958).
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Model Civil Jury Charges
