request a consultation
Fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch with you right away.
The sudden death of a loved one is a uniquely devastating experience that can alter every part of your life and the lives of your entire family. Trying to effectively exercise your right to demand compensation from the responsible party can be an unbearable burden amidst all the emotional turmoil.
Assistance from a compassionate Largo wrongful death lawyer can be invaluable in emotionally and legally complex situations like these. No matter your family’s unique needs or specific losses, a dedicated personal injury attorney could work tirelessly on your behalf to secure the restitution you deserve so that your family can focus on what truly matters.
Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims
Like a typical personal injury case, a wrongful death claim is built around holding a person financially accountable for specific economic and non-economic losses caused by reckless or careless behavior. Rather than an injured person pursuing compensation on their own behalf, though, wrongful death litigation allows a decedent’s surviving family members to recover for losses they suffer indirectly due to their loved one’s death.
The personal representative for a decedent’s estate—generally someone nominated in their will to fill that role and handle other affairs—is the only person under Florida state law with legal authority to file a wrongful death claim. This representative may demand restitution on behalf of all surviving beneficiaries of the decedent for damages such as:
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Lost future financial support
- Lost household services and assistance
- Lost love, companionship, guidance, and/or protection
- Any medical and/or funeral expenses paid by a beneficiary on the decedent’s behalf
The representative may also seek recovery for certain damages sustained by the decedent’s estate, like medical and funeral costs, income lost between the decedent’s injury and their death, and lost future earnings and savings. A Largo wrongful death attorney could further explain during a private consultation what losses could be factored into your specific claim.
Can a Civil Case Move Forward During Criminal Proceedings?
Importantly, any criminal charges stemming from an incident that leads to someone’s wrongful death can proceed simultaneously and separately from any ensuing civil litigation. On top of that, the outcome of one case generally has no direct influence on how the other case will conclude, and it is not unheard of for someone to be acquitted of criminal wrongdoing but still found civilly liable for causing someone else’s wrongful death.
It is worth noting, though, that while most wrongful death claims are subject to a two-year statutory filing deadline starting from the decedent’s date of death, there is no statute of limitations on civil claims for deaths resulting from murder or manslaughter. A wrongful death lawyer in Largo could help file a claim even if the defendant had not been convicted, charged, or even arrested for such an offense.
A Largo Wrongful Death Attorney Could Help
Wrongful death litigation is never simple, even if the defendant does not contest their role in someone else’s life ending prematurely. In more complex or contentious situations, support from an experienced legal professional can be vital to achieving a positive case resolution and protecting your family’s best interests.
A conversation with a Largo wrongful death lawyer could help you review your options and make a choice about litigation that best suits your family’s needs. Call today to set up a meeting.