Losing a loved one unexpectedly is a devastating ordeal that no words can describe. It's a path filled with emotional turbulence and confusion, leaving many wondering what to do next.
Amid this grief, you may need to take legal action something that seems overwhelming.
This is where Blakeley Law Firm steps in. Our West Palm Beach wrongful death lawyers offer compassionate and dedicated legal assistance to those in South Florida, helping to lift the burden during your time of need.
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Why Choose Blakeley Law Firm?
At Blakeley Law Firm, we offer a partnership through your darkest hours. Our lawyers are committed to our clients and have a decade-long record of success in high-value cases. We know that no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one, but it can provide stability and a sense of justice.
With an office conveniently located in West Palm Beach off Vista Parkway, we are a local pillar of support. Our office is easily accessible and is a comforting space to discuss your needs.
Understanding Your Rights to Wrongful Death Compensation
When a family loses a provider, compensation for the immediate and devastating loss of financial support. It helps pay for the loss of the deceased's current earnings, future earning potential, and benefits.
We must establish the deceased's earning history and project future earnings to recover these damages. Blakeley Law Firm works with expert witnesses to accurately estimate what the deceased would have contributed financially had their life not been cut short. We gather employment records, tax returns, and expert testimony to paint a clear picture of the financial void left behind.
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Funeral and burial expenses are often the first financial impact the grieving family feels. These costs can be expensive and should be the responsibility of the party at fault.
Blakeley Law Firm helps you recover these expenses by presenting invoices, receipts, and contracts from funeral homes and other services. We document these economic damages and make them part of your claim.
Medical Costs Before Death
In many wrongful death cases, the deceased may have incurred substantial medical bills due to the injury before passing away. Compensation for these expenses is necessary for the family.
Our firm compiles all medical records, bills, and insurance statements. By collaborating with healthcare providers and medical billing experts, we establish the full extent of medical costs for inclusion in your wrongful death claim.
Loss of Companionship and Protection
The loss of love, companionship, protection, and care that the deceased provided is an irreplaceable non-economic damage.
Blakeley Law Firm shines when it comes to quantifying these losses. We work with psychologists and life planners to demonstrate the profound impact of this loss on the family. We build a compelling case for the value of lost companionship and protection through personal statements, testimonies, and expert analysis.
Pain and Suffering of the Deceased
If your loved one suffered before their death, compensation for their pain and suffering might be available. With sensitivity and dedication, we approach documenting this suffering through medical records, expert testimony, and personal accounts.
By establishing the extent of pain and suffering experienced, we advocate for the respect and dignity your loved one deserves, even in their absence.
Inheritance Losses
A wrongful death claim can include the potential inheritance the deceased's heirs should have received.
Blakeley Law Firm examines the deceased's estate, savings, and investment trends to estimate the loss of inheritance. This requires an analysis of the deceased's net worth and financial behaviors, which we document and present as part of your claim.
What Causes Wrongful Death Claims?
Wrongful death claims can arise from many tragic circumstances. Here are some we frequently encounter.
Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of wrongful death in the United States. These accidents can happen for many reasons: distracted driving, speeding, reckless maneuvers, or driving under the influence.
In such cases, the wrongful death may result from a direct collision, a pedestrian being struck, or a catastrophic vehicle malfunction.
Blakeley Law Firm has a long history of settling vehicle accident cases. We conduct thorough investigations to determine fault, using accident reconstruction experts when necessary.
We also review traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements to build a solid case. We aim to establish negligence by the other driver or parties responsible for the accident. By doing so, we seek to secure rightful compensation for the surviving family members for their tragic loss.
Medical Malpractice
We place deep trust in healthcare professionals; when they violate that trust and are negligent, the consequences can be fatal. Medical malpractice is a leading cause of death in the United States.
Wrongful death in medical settings can arise from surgical errors, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, childbirth complications, medication errors, or failures in patient monitoring. These incidents are devastating because they occur where safety and health should be priorities.
At Blakeley Law Firm, we work with medical experts to review records, procedures, and the standard of care provided. Our job is to prove that the medical professional or institution deviated from the accepted standard of care and that this deviation led directly to wrongful death.
By analyzing medical data and correlating it with health guidelines and regulations, we seek to hold the right parties accountable and obtain compensation for your family.
Workplace Accidents
Despite regulations and safety measures, workplace accidents are a significant cause of wrongful deaths. These can happen in construction, manufacturing, or any job where the conditions are hazardous. The causes can range from falls to equipment malfunctions, exposure to harmful substances, or fires and explosions.
At Blakeley Law Firm, we investigate whether all safety protocols were followed and the equipment was correctly maintained. Our firm collaborates with occupational safety experts to establish any breaches in regulations.
We pursue claims against employers, contractors, and third-party entities responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. Our goal is to provide the family with the means to cope with their loss and enforce better workplace safety standards.
Product Liability
Sometimes, the products we use daily can be fatal due to design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings. From faulty automotive components to unsafe pharmaceuticals or household products, wrongful death from product liability is an area of the law where consumers seek justice for losses caused by negligence from manufacturers or distributors.
The legal team at Blakeley Law Firm examines the product in question, often with the help of engineers or other specialists, to identify and prove defects. We review similar cases and investigate any recalls or previous claims associated with the product.
Our focus is on revealing the negligence that led to the wrongful death and ensuring that manufacturers are held responsible for the safety of their products.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to traffic-related incidents. Whether due to drivers failing to yield at crosswalks or speeding through residential areas, when a driver hits a pedestrian, the results are often fatal. The causes might be distracted driving, poor visibility, or road rage, among others.
The role of Blakeley Law Firm in these cases is to act quickly to gather evidence from the scene, witness accounts, and surveillance footage. We work to establish the driver's liability by proving negligence or willful disregard for traffic laws. We provide compassionate legal counsel to grieving families and aggressively seek the compensation they deserve for their immeasurable loss.
Injuries Leading to Wrongful Death
The sudden loss of a loved one is a devastating event, especially when it comes to wrongful death. Among the most heartbreaking aspects are the injuries that lead to such tragedies. Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or spinal cord injuries (SCIs) not only change lives forever, they can end lives.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain injuries are a major cause of wrongful death. TBIs can occur due to various accidents, including vehicle collisions, falls, or being struck by/against an object. These injuries can cause swelling, bleeding, and other damage to the brain that can rapidly turn fatal.
The Blakeley Law Firm handles cases involving traumatic brain injuries. Our firm works with medical professionals to understand the extent of the injury and its impact on the victim's life expectancy.
We will gather evidence from the accident scene, medical records, and expert testimony to build a compelling case that shows the negligent party's responsibility for the fatal injury. By presenting a clear picture of the causation and the subsequent loss, our firm seeks to secure just compensation for your family.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are another type of injury that can lead to wrongful death. Whether through sudden trauma or gradual complication-related conditions like respiratory failure, the mortality rate for individuals with SCIs is significantly higher than the general population. SCIs can result from traffic accidents, sports injuries, or violent encounters.
At Blakeley Law Firm, we understand spinal cord injuries and the consequences they can hold. Our approach involves a detailed examination of the accident reports, medical evaluations, and life care plans.
Our firm is skilled at proving the link between injury and wrongful death, often involving life care planners and economists to project the long-term impacts had the victim survived. This strategy is to ensure your family receives appropriate restitution for the untimely loss of their loved one.
Severe Burns
Severe burn injuries can also lead to wrongful death due to complications such as infections and organ failure. Fires, chemical exposures, electrical accidents, or scalding can cause burns. These injuries are particularly traumatic and can lead to a rapid decline in health.
The team at Blakeley Law Firm recognizes the severe trauma that burn injuries can inflict. We are skilled at investigating the cause of the injury, whether it be a workplace accident, product defect, or a violation of safety protocols.
By compiling a solid case that includes medical expert analysis and testimony on the care required for such injuries, we advocate for families facing the wrongful death of a loved one due to severe burns.
Poisoning
Accidental poisoning, whether by chemicals, carbon monoxide, or medication overdoses, can tragically result in death. Such cases often involve complex layers of liability, from product labeling and safety measures to negligence in the workplace or at home.
In cases of poisoning, Blakeley Law Firm looks into product liability laws, workplace safety regulations, and residential building codes to establish fault. Our firm's thorough investigation process can uncover any negligence or wrongdoing that led to the poisoning, holding the responsible parties accountable and seeking compensation for the victim's survivors.
For each type of injury, Blakeley Law Firm uses a strategic approach that involves a deep understanding of the case's medical and legal aspects.
Our firm's commitment to its clients goes beyond the courtroom as we strive to provide support and guidance through the entire process of a wrongful death claim.
Our goal is not only to recover damages but also to bring some measure of solace to families by ensuring accountability for the wrongful death of their loved ones.
Battling the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often prioritize their profits over your well-being, complicating the pursuit of justice. They use tactics that seek to minimize their payout and undermine your claim.
Blakeley Law Firm has the skill to counter these tactics, presenting your case with the solid backing of evidence and expert testimony.
What to Do After a Wrongful Death in West Palm Beach?
If you've experienced a loss and are considering a wrongful death claim, you need to act with intention. Keeping financial records and documenting your experiences in a journal are all wise steps.
Obtaining a copy of the police report and any other evidence related to the accident is also helpful. Bringing these details to Blakeley Law Firm allows us to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
Contact a West Palm Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer
After a wrongful death in the family, you deserve a legal team that will fight for your family's rights.
Contact Blakeley Law Firm at (954) 253-9445 for a free consultation. Our no-recovery, no-fee commitment ensures that we are as dedicated to your case's success as you are. Let us seek justice for your loved one. Contact us today to find out more about your claim.