Wrongful Death Accidents

Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is an extremely traumatic event that no family should be forced to endure. Yet, each year in South Florida, thousands of families lose loved ones in an accident. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we understand the pain your family is dealing with and want to help in any way we can. At our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death law firm, we have hand-picked a team of dedicated, compassionate advocates who focus exclusively on pursuing fair compensation on behalf of grieving families.

Families who lost a loved one in any type of preventable accident can pursue a wrongful death claim against the party who was responsible for their loved one’s death. Under Florida Statutes § 768.19, a wrongful death is one caused by another’s “wrongful act, negligence, default.” While wrongful death claims are common after all types of accidents, below are some of the most common wrongful death claims in Fort Lauderdale:

• Car accidents,
• Construction accidents,
• Medical malpractice,
• Truck accidents ,
• Dangerous and defective products, and
• Boat accidents,
• Motorcycle accidents .

Families that successfully bring a wrongful death claim can recover significant financial compensation for their loss. While every case is unique, Florida courts allow families to recover the compensation for the following to be paid to the victim’s surviving family members:

• Any medical expenses and funeral expenses paid by surviving family members;
• Emotional pain and suffering;
• Loss of parental instruction, guidance, and companionship;
• Loss of the deceased person’s protection and companionship; and
• Loss of the support and services provided by the deceased.

Additionally, courts may award certain damages to the accident victim’s estate, including lost wages and any funeral or burial expenses that were paid by the estate.

Florida’s wrongful death law provides that the personal representative of the deceased accident victim’s estate must initiate a wrongful death claim. However, the personal representative brings the claim on behalf of the victim’s surviving family members through their estate. So, while the personal representative is the party who actually files a wrongful death claim, the proceeds of the case go to the victim’s estate.

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d), families who lost a loved one have just two years to initiate a wrongful death claim. Typically, this two-year timeframe starts from the date of a person’s death rather than the date of the accident (if they are different). While families have two years to bring a wrongful death claim, whenever possible, it is best to speak with a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to locate the evidence needed to prove your claim. For example, video or other physical evidence could be destroyed, or eyewitnesses may move or pass away.

If you recently lost a loved one in a car accident or any other type of preventable accident, reach out to the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. to schedule a free consultation. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we take a different approach than many other firms, always focusing on what is important to each of our individual clients. We have decades of combined experience helping to connect families with meaningful compensation for their losses and we look forward to discussing how we can help you. To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form. We have offices conveniently located in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville. Calling is free, and we will not collect any fee for our services unless we can connect you with compensation.