Solatium (plural solatia) is a form of compensation for emotional rather than physical or financial harm.
[1] Section 1A of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 provides that in an action for wrongful death the spouse, civil partner or parents (where the deceased is a minor) of the deceased may claim damages for bereavement, which are awarded in the amount of a fixed sum.
[2] In India, victims of crimes that receive widespread media coverage are frequently recipients of one-time solatium payments from governments.
To sue for solatium, a claimant must institute an action for pain and suffering or an actio iniuriarum.
Beginning during the War in Vietnam,[5] and continuing in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense (DOD) provides monetary assistance in the form of solatia and condolence payments to Iraqi and Afghan nationals who are killed, injured, or incur property damage as a result of U.S. or coalition forces’ actions during combat.