While there are various ways a fatality can occur, it is important to understand what is considered a wrongful death in Florida. If the fatality was caused by the negligence of another party, surviving family members could hold them liable for damages related to the incident, such as medical expenses leading up to the death, funeral and burial costs, emotional damages, loss of future wages, and property damage. Having a quality lawyer who has experience handling these types of cases could help ease the financial burden of losing a loved one unexpectedly.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers have more than 40 years of combined legal experience, which includes cases involving wrongful death claims. If you lost a loved one in an accident that could have been prevented if not for the negligence of another, you could be eligible for financial compensation. Call our firm any time, 24/7, to schedule a cost-free, initial evaluation of your wrongful death claim. There is no obligation to retain our legal services, and your information is always kept confidential.
Read on to learn more about what qualifies as a wrongful death in Florida and how you could hold the at-fault party responsible for your emotional damages and financial losses.
Wrongful Death Laws in Florida
According to Florida law, a wrongful death is when someone’s death is caused by a careless or wrongful act by another individual or company. Vehicle crashes, slip and falls, medical errors, and defective products can all cause the premature death of a loved one.
Although many deaths often occur at the scene of the accident, some wrongful death victims suffer in pain for long periods before succumbing to their injuries. Besides the emotional toll of losing a loved one unexpectedly, surviving family members are often left with hefty medical bills, loss of future income, property damage, and funeral and burial costs.
Depending on the relationship to the deceased, surviving loved ones may be eligible to seek additional damages. For example, a surviving spouse could be compensated for loss of consortium and protection. A surviving daughter or son could receive funds for loss of emotional support and guidance.
This is why it is important to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer if you lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident. A skilled lawyer can help you determine whether you may be legally eligible to pursue any financial losses and other damages related to the untimely death of your loved one.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers offer free, first-time consultations to surviving family members who may have lost a loved one in a wrongful death incident. Our compassionate lawyers understand the emotional and financial obstacles surviving family members must endure after losing someone they love. Allow our firm to help you hold the at-fault party liable for your damages and help you seek the full and fair amount of compensation you may legally deserve.
Common Examples of Wrongful Death Claims in Florida
Unfortunately, there are countless ways a wrongful death can happen. However, there are some examples that tend to occur more often than others. Regardless of how the death occurred, if it was the result of negligence from another party, surviving relatives can hold the guilty party financially responsible.
Some of the more common examples of wrongful death claims we have worked with in the past, are the result of:
Motor vehicle crashes – Whether your deceased loved one was involved in a crash with another car, SUV, motorcycle, or commercial truck, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim if it is determined that the other driver’s negligence caused the collision. If the other driver was found to have been speeding, driving recklessly, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted, fatigued, and/or disobeying other traffic laws at the time of the crash, surviving relatives could be eligible for financial compensation in a wrongful death claim.
Slip and fall accidents – While slip and fall accidents can lead to an immediate death, victims can sometimes suffer serious head and neck injuries, which may eventually lead to a premature death later on. If the injury and/or wrongful death was the result of a hazardous condition on another person’s property, surviving family members may need to file a premises liability lawsuit. Property owners, employers, private businesses, and government agencies may all be held liable if they are found to have been negligent in addressing the hazardous condition.
Medical malpractice – Although most medical professionals are great at keeping us safe and healthy, they are human, which means sometimes mistakes are made. Unfortunately, even a slight miscue by a healthcare provider, could result in devastating consequences. All medical professionals are legally obligated to uphold certain standards of care to keep us all safe, however. If it is determined that the death of your loved one was the result of medical negligence, surviving relatives could be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim.
Defective products – Sometimes a wrongful death can result from a poorly designed or defective product. For example, defective tires, inadequate airbags, faulty brakes, and lack of vehicle maintenance could all lead to a fatal vehicle accident. If it is found that the crash was the result of a defective auto part, surviving family members may need to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. If it is determined that the accident was due to a lack of vehicle maintenance, the company responsible for doing so could be held accountable.
While these examples may seem like obvious wrongful death situations, it could be difficult to prove your claim without the help of a licensed attorney. Some wrongful death situations may require you to file multiple claims, which could be extremely difficult to manage without the assistance of an experienced professional. Surviving relatives who choose to hire legal representation usually garner much higher compensation amounts, as opposed to those who choose to represent themselves.
At the law firm of Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our reputable attorneys have in-depth knowledge of local, federal and state laws, as well as extensive experience working with past cases involving wrongful death claims. Our compassionate attorneys aim to protect the rights of the people of Port St. Lucie by helping our clients hold negligent parties liable for the damages they create (by appointment only).
Schedule a No-Cost Consultation
If you lost a loved one in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another, you could hold the at-fault party responsible for your damages. Take the first step in fighting for your legal right to seek compensation by scheduling a no-cost, initial consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys.
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our team of legal professionals is trained to help guide you through the complexities of the litigation process. Allow a licensed lawyer to help you fight for your legal rights when you pursue the fair amount of compensation you may legally deserve.
Altogether, our firm has obtained more than $100,000,000 combined in successful verdicts and settlements on behalf of our past clientele. We have handled over 6,000 cases combined, while receiving more than 600-plus, five-star reviews.
There is no obligation needed to secure a complimentary, initial review of your wrongful death claim. Your information is kept private, so there is no risk in discussing your legal options with a licensed attorney from our firm.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today by calling (561) 800-8000 or you can chat with an online representative.