What is meant by the term “loss of consortium?”

When an individual has suffered an injury due to the wrongdoing of another person, the injured party’s spouse may have grounds for what is known as a loss of consortium. A loss of consortium essentially refers to the spouse being deprived of sexual relations, but it can also refer to the loss of other marital benefits from the injured spouse, such as aid, affection, companionship and cooperation.

Loss of consortium is not limited to spouses, as an individual may also be entitled to compensation for being deprived of the benefits that he or she would be entitled to receive from a parent or child.