Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

You can get compassionate assistance after the loss of a loved one from a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer. Our team at Blakeley Law Firm can maximize your chances of holding the at-fault party responsible and collecting funds to address the financial pressures on your family.

We help victims’ families fight for fair compensation. We’ve helped clients like you secure over $200 million in compensation and stand ready to provide the dedicated support you deserve in this challenging time.

You can learn more by reaching out to a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer from our team.

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale?

Hiring an attorney after a fatal accident can provide your family with the support you need after the loss of a loved one. Your attorney can:

Determine the Value of Your Claim

Every wrongful death claim is different, and the average person likely doesn’t know where to begin. When you hire us, our team will move quickly to determine the value of your claim based on its merit and facts.

Our legal team can help you send a demand letter that increases your claim’s chances of success.

Deal With the Insurance Company

Most of the time, we must negotiate with the insurance company after a fatal accident. Insurance companies have powerful lawyers at their disposal.

If you decide to file a wrongful death claim, they can choose to ignore it or deny it altogether.

The good news is that our team can help level the playing field against the insurance company and keep them honest throughout the claims process.

Fight for You in Court

Many civil claims settle out of court. However, there is no guarantee that we can resolve your claim at the settlement table. If you have to go to court, hiring our legal team is likely your best option.

We have many years of courtroom experience and can prepare you should your claim go to trial.

Compensation for Wrongful Death Claimants

Your family may receive funds to cover the economic and non–economic damages you face after the loss of a loved one. Florida divides these damages into two categories:

Damages for the Family of the Deceased

Surviving family members may receive funds to cover the loss of:

• Services and support
• Companionship, guidance, and instruction
• Protection

Additionally, family members may get compensation for a loved one’s medical and funeral expenses. Finally, some family members may receive money for the mental pain and suffering they experience after a fatal accident.

Damages for the Estate of the Deceased

The decedent’s estate may receive some damages after a deadly accident. For example, the estate may get funds to pay for medical and funeral expenses that it paid for directly.

The estate may also get compensation for the lost benefits, earnings, and wages of the decedent. An attorney can provide more information about the damages available in a wrongful death case. We can also explain how wrongful death settlements are paid.

How Much Is Your Family’s Claim Worth?

The value of your wrongful death claim will depend on factors like:

The Severity of the Deadly Accident

The severity of the events surrounding the loss of your loved one will significantly impact its value. For example, an elderly woman who faced abuse in a nursing home for a decade up until her death can influence a high settlement for her family.

Level of Negligence

Your Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer will seek to determine how negligent the at-fault party was in your loved one’s death. If the defendant showed willful misconduct, you could receive a larger settlement than if they were just careless.

The Parties Involved

Sometimes, multiple parties are involved in wrongful death lawsuits. For example, if you sue both a hospital and a pharmaceutical company because of a fatal surgical error, you could potentially collect a maximum settlement.

Ultimately, you won’t know how much your claim is worth before speaking to a wrongful death attorney in Fort Lauderdale. Contact us today for your free consultation so we can discuss your case.

Limitations on Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

Who can file a wrongful death suit? Florida allows a personal representative (or “executor”) for the estate of the decedent to handle wrongful death cases. Your loved one may have designated someone to serve as their personal representative, typically through a will or another legally binding document.

If your loved one did not select a representative, the court can appoint someone to fill this role.

Are You Eligible to File a Claim?

You may be eligible to file a claim after a fatal accident if you are the personal representative of the deceased and your attorney can show that someone else caused the loss of your loved one through an act of negligence or misconduct.

The Legal Process of Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

We can walk your family through each step in taking legal action after the loss of a loved one. The process begins when you reach out to a wrongful death lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who can review your situation and determine if your family qualifies to file this type of claim.

If your attorney believes that you have a valid claim, the law firm can collect evidence to back up your case. We need to investigate quickly to collect all relevant evidence.

How to Resolve a Claim

Once we have evidence, we can proceed by filing a claim with the insurance company representing the liable party. In many cases, we can help our clients resolve wrongful death cases out of court.

However, we’re fully prepared to file a lawsuit against the liable party if the insurance company refuses to treat your family fairly. If your claim goes to court, we will present evidence on your behalf, question witnesses, and represent your best interests.

Proving Liability and Fault After a Fatal Accident

Your attorney will need to prove fault and liability after a deadly accident. Generally speaking, your claim should prove that the defendant was at fault for the death of your loved one and is liable for all resulting damages.

In wrongful death claims, the plaintiff has the burden of proof to back up their claim with the preponderance of evidence. To put it simply, the plaintiff will need to supply sufficient evidence to prove their claims.

The defendant is only responsible for defending themselves against these claims. Since the burden of proof is higher for the plaintiff, it’s crucial that they hire a wrongful death attorney. A wrongful death lawyer can compile concrete evidence, such as:

• Photos and Videos: Your attorney can gather photos and videos from nearby cameras to determine what happened leading up to an accident.
• Police Reports: Police officers will create reports that feature eyewitness accounts and their own accounts of what happened after an accident.
• Medical Reports: The victim’s medical report will list their diagnosis and the treatments they followed before their death.
• Eyewitness Testimonies: Eyewitnesses can provide their testimonies to the plaintiff’s claim to bolster its strength in court.

With the help of a wrongful death lawyer, you can build a rock-solid claim. We know what is needed to prove wrongful death.

Schedule a free consultation with our dedicated legal team to maximize the success of your claim.

Why Hire Us After a Fatal Accident?

Our team at Blakeley Law Firm has over two decades of combined experience helping clients in your situation. We provide the compassionate and dedicated support you deserve after the loss of a loved one, handling all legal matters so you can focus on caring for the emotional needs of your family.

We take your situation seriously, listen carefully to your concerns, and develop a personalized strategy to resolve your claim.

We’ll stand by you every step of the way, maintaining open communication throughout the legal process, so you can always reach out to us with questions or concerns.

You Don’t Pay a Retainer

Many wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless you win. If you’re already dealing with crippling debt because of a deceased loved one, this is a win-win situation.

Since an attorney only takes a percentage of your settlement, they’re more invested in your claim to ensure its success. As a result, you can hire an aggressive lawyer who can stand up to the legal team of the defendant.

We take pride in never sending our clients a bill unless their claim is successful.

Types of Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death claims can vary based on how the victim died and the circumstances surrounding the accident. The most common claims involve:

Car Accidents

Significant car accidents can cause fatal injuries, such as blunt-force trauma and crush injuries. We can help after a deadly head-on, rear-end, or side-impact collision. Our team can help with filing a wrongful death claim after a car accident.

Medical Malpractice

Any deadly error committed by a medical professional constitutes medical malpractice, from surgical error to fatal anesthesia dosages.

Work Accidents

Occupations with dangerous work hazards can lead to fatalities. For example, an employee working too many hours and crashing their car due to exhaustion can result in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that can lead to death. We can help you hold the liable party accountable, especially if the at-fault party is distracted, drunk, or fatigued at the time of the collision.

Pedestrian Accidents

These accidents can lead to permanent injuries and fatalities since victims have little to no protection from incoming vehicles.

Aviation Accidents

Plane crashes due to pilot error can result in several wrongful death lawsuits against the airline.

Motorcycle Accidents

Bikers don’t have much protection in the event of motorcycle accidents, which can lead to fatalities in severe cases.

Nursing Home Abuse

If your loved one was abused or neglected in a nursing home, resulting in the loss of their life, you can sue for wrongful death.

If you face any of these scenarios, contact a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer to file a claim. We can build a solid claim that gets justice for your loved one’s unfortunate death.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

There are many reasons why wrongful death happens. We stand ready to build a legal claim for your family after a death caused by:

Carelessness

A careless person can unintentionally cause the death of someone else. The laws surrounding carelessness can vary. We’re here to provide more information about these incidents.

Negligence

Negligence is the failure to act reasonably in a situation. It’s the absence of common sense. For example, if someone runs a red light and hits another driver, they are negligent and liable for any damages.

Willful Misconduct

Willful misconduct applies to people or companies that are aware of the consequences of their actions but don’t adjust.

When it comes to wrongful death, ignorance is not an excuse. People and businesses owe a duty of care to others. Individuals must act with common sense on the road, in the hospital, and while running a business. If someone caused the wrongful death of your loved one, hire an attorney to fight for fair compensation.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Florida

According to Florida law, the family of a deceased victim has two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

If you file a claim on your own, it may take time to gather the critical evidence you need before the wrongful death statute of limitations expires. Luckily, an experienced attorney can expedite your claim’s discovery process.

Talk to Us After the Loss of a Loved One

Overall, wrongful death is a serious legal complaint that attempts to hold the defendant responsible for the loss of a loved one. The families of deceased victims have the right to pursue justice and fair compensation in the aftermath of a traffic accident.

By hiring a wrongful death attorney in Fort Lauderdale, you can receive all the resources you need to build an effective claim, and Blakeley Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.

We know the ins and outs of the wrongful death claim process. As such, we’d love to speak with you about your case. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to receive a free, 24/7 consultation.