When the negligence of a person or company causes the death of a loved one, the family left behind may have a claim for wrongful death. As families try to heal from the shock and sadness of the sudden loss, they often don’t consider the fact that someone should hold the negligent party accountable for their actions and recover damages that will help ease the financial burden of the loss. Youngblood Law Firm has been a legal resource for the families of wrongful death victims for years. Through these difficult times, you need to heal while we focus our attention on getting your fair compensation for lost wages, funeral expenses, and other unforeseen costs. Allow our firm to relieve the stress of the future while you focus on healing in the present. If you need an effective, compassionate, and determined wrongful death attorney to guide you through your legal options, contact Youngblood Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.
What is Wrongful Death?
According to Florida law, wrongful death is “caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract” of another party. If you have lost a loved one because of the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to damages as a result of your loss.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
The personal representative of the estate must be the one to bring a lawsuit to court, according to Florida law. Other states are different and allow anyone deeply affected by the loss can bring a suit, but this is not the case in Florida. The representative will seek damages for the deceased person’s family on their behalf. If there was not a representative named in the decedent’s will or if there was no will, the court will appoint a personal representative.
Recoverable Damages
The personal representative of the estate can recover a variety of damages on behalf of the bereaved family. Florida law requires all wrongful death claims to be filed within two years from the date of death. The only individuals who are able to recover damages include the spouse, children, parents, or any blood relative or adoptive sibling who was dependent on the deceased party. It is important to note that if the representative is filing a claim on behalf of a child of unmarried parents, the child can only recover damages if the parent who passed is the child’s mother, or if the father claimed paternity and was obligated to contribute to the financial support of the child. If you have lost a loved one and have a valid wrongful death claim, you may be entitled to:
- Compensation for medical bills and health care expenses related to the person’s final moments paid by the estate or surviving family members
- Funeral costs paid by the estate or surviving family members
- Wage and other benefits lost by the death
- Financial support related to the support and services provided by the deceased
- Pain and suffering endured due to the loss of a child
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
- Loss of “prospective net accumulations” of the estate
Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney
Youngblood Law Firm is a compassionate and effective law firm helping clients with their personal injury matters. If you have lost a loved one because of another person’s negligence, you need to contact a wrongful death attorney to represent your family’s needs while you focus on healing from the loss. If you need a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney to assess your case, guide you through your legal options, and passionately represent and protect the rights and future of your family, contact Youngblood Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
