Wrongful Death Attorney
When someone dies due to the wrongful actions of another person or entity, it may create grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Hundreds of wrongful deaths happen in Florida each year. These fatalities can be caused by car accidents, murder, medical mistakes, workplace accidents, and more.
No one wants to deal with legal matters when they’re grieving, but there is a limited window of time in which you can act. If your loved one’s death was caused because of someone else’s action, it is not fair for you to have to shoulder the financial and emotional burdens alone. You owe it to yourself and any other surviving family members to make things right.
If you or someone you know has lost a loved one in accidents like these, call the wrongful death attorneys at Accident Attorney Group, P.A., for a free consultation. Our compassionate lawyers can help you to seek the justice that you deserve.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death happens when recklessness, deliberate actions, carelessness, or negligence causes someone to die.
When someone is negligent, it means they did not behave in a way that another reasonable person would have done under the same circumstances.
Wrongful death claims can be made after fatal injuries due to:
- Auto accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries to baby or mother
- Commercial truck accidents
- Worksite accidents
- And more
For example, if a workplace failed to provide adequate training before having an employee work with a dangerous piece of equipment, they could be held liable if the employee was fatally injured in the course of their duties.
Similarly, if a drunk driver crashed into another vehicle, causing one of the occupants of that vehicle to pass away, the surviving family members could have grounds to sue for a wrongful death.
Wrongful death cases are civil suits. They are similar to personal injury cases and can be grounds for similar damages, as well as funeral costs and loss of consortium.
In Florida a personal injury lawsuit is only valid for up to four years after the inciting event, which is why wrongful death attorneys urge family members to act quickly to pursue justice.
While nothing can bring back a loved one who was lost, when you turn to the experienced team at Accident Attorney Group, P.A., we can help you to pick up the pieces and hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death cases can be brought by blood relatives, a spouse, or surviving children of the decedent.
Most wrongful death cases are filed by a spouse, who can pursue damages for the loss of financial support and companionship. Spouses may also have claims for various types of pain and suffering.
When there are minor children still living in the home, the damages awarded in a wrongful death case may be increased because the decedent is unable to continue providing standard support for those children as they grow. The children also lose the guidance and education of having a parent in their lives, which means that they may qualify for non-economic damages, as well.
The victim’s parents may also bring a wrongful death claim, even if the decedent was grown up and living on their own or had a spouse. Parental suits often focus on pain and suffering because of the extreme emotional distress associated with the loss.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Seek in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil cases that focus on recovering compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Economic damages include harm with a specific, determined financial value. Examples include:
- Initial injury care
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Lost income
- Hospice care
- Funeral expenses
While these bills and expenses can be extensive, they are not the only form of damage in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Non-Economic Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
When someone dies due to the wrongful actions of another person or entity, it often causes severe trauma and emotional distress for the surviving loved ones. These types of changes don’t necessarily have a price tag, but they are just as real.
Non-economic damages can account for:
- Loss of companionship
- Grief
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Ongoing emotional trauma
- Loss of future income
At Accident Attorney Group, P.A., our wrongful death attorneys specialize in ensuring the decedent’s loved ones are compensated for these types of losses.
What Does a Wrongful Death Attorney Do?
A wrongful death attorney reviews all of the details of your case, filing a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of your loved one. At Accident Attorney Group, P.A., we have a deep understanding of the laws that are relevant to wrongful death claims. We ensure that grieving families don’t have to navigate the complex legal system on their own.
An experienced wrongful death attorney will review all of the evidence and documentation for your case, including:
- Personal notes about the chain of events leading to the death
- Hospital records
- Therapy records
- Lists of medication
- Workplace accident report (if applicable)
- Income records
- Funeral bills
With this information in hand, our knowledgeable attorneys can walk you through your next steps. We’ll evaluate your case and help you to understand the compensation that you may be able to pursue through a wrongful death claim.
Above all else, we’ll help you to pursue justice for the loss of your loved one. Whether this means fighting with insurers for a reasonable settlement or taking a case to court, we’re prepared to do whatever is needed to fight for a fair outcome.
Compassionate Support for Wrongful Death Claims
At Accident Attorney Group, P.A., we understand how devastating it can be to lose a loved one. Let us help you seek the justice and compensation that you need. We won’t charge a dime for our services until we win or settle your case. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys.
