Human life value refers to the monetary value of a human life, measured by determining the net present value of benefits that others (the decedent's spouse, dependents, partners, or employers) might reasonably expect to receive from the future efforts of the individual whose life is being valued.
The amount of HLV is used to calculate the benefit amount needed to replace lost future earnings of a wage earner to set the amount of life insurance or the amount of a liability award or settlement. It is also known as the economic value of an individual life.