Thibeault v. Brown

The decision in Humphreys v. Ash, 90 N. H. 223, points out two methods for ascertaining the present value of the loss by death to a decedent’s dependents and estate. First, it was suggested that the. jury could return a general verdict for the present value after proper instructions as to the method of discounting “damages to be suffered in the future.” The present worth, it was stated, “is such sum of money in hand as with a proper rate of interest compounded will yield the sum to be obtained at the conclusion of the period in contemplation.” The period in contemplation depends on what the…