Losing a loved one is always difficult, but when it could have been prevented, and a wrongful death is involved, the situation is especially tragic.
Unfortunately, the statute of limitations to bring a wrongful death suit in Florida is usually only two years, with few exceptions. Because of that, family members are faced with the difficult job of bringing a lawsuit during the delicate grieving period. Families need as much support as possible to seek justice for their wrongful loss. We can offer our heartfelt support as we help you navigate this painful process.
What’s the Wrongful Death Law in Florida?
Unlike other causes of negligence, Florida Statutes govern wrongful death cases in Florida. The law states that when a death “is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract,” then plaintiffs may bring a wrongful death action.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?
In Florida, wrongful death suits are generally limited to family members.
Family members who may recover damages in a Florida wrongful death case include:
- A spouse, child or parents of the decedent
- Any blood relative or adoptive sibling who was partially or wholly dependent upon the decedent for support.
- The decedent’s estate
If you have questions about whether you can file a wrongful death suit in Florida, contact us for a consultation.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Nursing Homes
Families trust nursing homes to care for their vulnerable elderly loved ones.
Sometimes, however, this trust is broken. Some nursing homes fail to follow safety rules for their residents in order to save money. This can lead to abuse, or mistreatment of your elderly family member.
If you think your parent or relative’s death was caused by elder abuse or negligent care, contact us to talk about your situation.
Auto Accidents
According to the CDC, car accidents cause 2 million injuries and 32,000 deaths in the United States each year. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death. Many of these deaths were preventable, but the negligence, reckless driving or intoxication of the at-fault driver had dire consequences.
If you’ve lost someone in an auto accident, don’t wait. Contact us to investigate this important matter.
Products Liability
We never expect the products we use to cause us harm. But when defective manufacturing, design or misuse of a product causes death, someone may be at-fault. Products liability cases are complex; you need an attorney to carefully pursue recovery for a wrongful death caused by a faulty product.
Workplace Accidents
When someone dies on the job, their employer might be liable. We can investigate workplace deaths to make sure that you receive justice for your family member who was needlessly lost while working.
Medical Malpractice
Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Physicians and hospitals offer vital medical care, but when a medical professional is the cause of a wrongful death, you need an attorney to investigate. Our hospitals and medical facilities need to be held to the professional and legal standards we expect.
If you lost a loved one from a medical mistake, contact us, we can help.
What is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
Damages in wrongful death cases are governed by Florida Law and vary.
Possible damages family members may recover include:
- Loss of companionship;
- Loss of financial support, wages, and benefits;
- Loss of future earnings;
- Emotional pain and suffering;
- Medical expenses paid for the deceased person’s care; and
- Funeral expenses.
There is no way to know how much your wrongful death recovery may be, but a Tampa wrongful death attorney will be able to give you a consultation and evaluate your particular case.
Wrongful death cases are devastating. Contact the experienced Tampa wrongful death attorneys at FL Legal Group today if you’ve lost someone and you think someone contributed to their death. Our professionals know how difficult wrongful death cases can be, and we are ready to offer our support as we help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 813-221-9500. Our sensitive professionals are ready to talk to you about how we can help.
Sources:
Florida Statutes Section 95.11(4)(d)
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html
Florida Statutes Section 768.19
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.19.html
Florida Statutes Section 768.21
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.21.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/
Medical error: www.bmg.com/content/353/bmg.i2139