Wrongful Death

Central Florida Wrongful Death Lawyer

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No Fees Unless We Win
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Free & Confidential Case Evaluation
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Client-Focused Approach
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50+ Years of Personal Injury Experience
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With over 180 years of combined attorney experience, our team of attorneys can help you take legal action against the party (or parties) responsible for your loved one’s death.

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If you have suffered the tragedy of losing a family member in an accident, we offer our deepest sympathies. This is truly a tragic time in your life, one from which you will never fully recover. The attorneys and staff at Rue & Ziffra are prepared to assist you and your family in this time of loss.

If you believe that another party – whether it be an individual or large corporation – may be to blame for your loved one’s death, it is important that you speak with an attorney. You and your family may be entitled to financial recovery – and the reassurance that holding the responsible party (or parties) accountable may help prevent similar accidents in the future. Florida has a wrongful death statute that entitles families to seek financial compensation for accidental deaths, and at Rue & Ziffra Law Offices, we have been using this law to help members of our local community since 1976.

With six office locations spanning from Port Orange to Winter Park and from Palm Coast to DeLand, we represent families throughout Central Florida. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation with a Central Florida wrongful death lawyer. Our compassionate injury attorneys will explain your options and help you make informed decisions about protecting your family’s rights. And if you decide to pursue a wrongful death claim, we will fight aggressively to win your case as quickly as possible.

The following are some examples of our recent results in wrongful death cases:

  • $8 million wrongful death settlement following a fatal aviation accident
  • $2.6 million wrongful death settlement for a fatal motorcycle accident
  • $1.25 million wrongful death settlement for the family of an elderly woman who was struck by an automobile
  • $300,000 wrongful death settlement for the family of an elderly man who was struck by a reversing vehicle
  • $4.4 million trial verdict in a motorcycle wrongful death case

Common Wrongful Death Claims in Florida

In Florida, virtually all types of fatal accidents have the potential to support claims for wrongful death. At Rue & Ziffra Law Offices, we handle all types of wrongful death cases in Central Florida, including but not limited to:

Car Accidents

Thousands of people die in Florida car accidents every year. From high-speed accidents on Interstate 95 to collisions on local roads involving drunk or distracted drivers, with the extreme forces involved, far too many car accidents result in life-threatening injuries.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents have a disproportionately high fatality rate. With approximately two-thirds of all commercial trucking accidents involving impact with the front of the truck, sadly, it is not hard to see why. If your family member was killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, dump truck, or other large commercial vehicle, we can use our experience to help you collect just compensation.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents often result in fatal injuries. Bicyclists have the same rights as motorists on the road, and pedestrians have the right of way in many circumstances. Unfortunately, this does not stop drivers from making thoughtless mistakes, and we have represented many families who have lost loved ones in these types of accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents

We are passionate about fighting for the rights of bikers in Florida. Our motorcycle accident practice is led by partner and motorcycle rider David Sweat. We have committed resources to help riders understand the law and commit to the best safety practices while riding in Central Florida.

Medical Malpractice

According to Johns Hopkins, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. This alarming statistic reflects a broad range of medical errors, ranging from misdiagnoses to mistakes during surgery. With our experienced attorneys, on-staff registered nurse, and network of trusted medical experts, we have the knowledge and capabilities needed to hold doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers accountable for fatal medical mistakes.

Defective Products

Dangerous and defective products are to blame for a significant number of fatal accidents every year. Electronics, vehicle components, children’s toys, and power tools are just some of the products that many of us use every day and that have the potential to cause fatal injuries due to defects.

Workplace Accidents

All types of workplace accidents have the potential to result in fatal injuries. Vehicle collisions are the most common cause of work-related deaths, followed by falls, electrocutions, equipment, and machinery-related accidents.

Medication Errors

Fatal medication errors can include overdosing, underdosing, prescription errors, and mistakes involving anesthesia. Each of these types of mistakes is alarmingly common, and each is to blame for numerous unnecessary deaths every year.

Aviation Accidents

Aviation accidents of all types can result in fatal injuries. While in-air accidents are the most likely to be fatal (although they are extremely rare), accidents during takeoff, landing, and taxiing can cause severe traumatic injuries as well.

Let Our Central Florida Wrongful Death Attorneys Help You Seek Justice for Your Loss

At Rue & Ziffra, we understand the immense pain and suffering that comes with the wrongful death of a loved one. Our commitment to serving the families of Central Florida is unwavering, and we strive to provide not only legal knowledge but also compassion and support during this difficult time. With our extensive experience and proven track record, we are prepared to fight for justice and the compensation you and your family deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Central Florida wrongful death lawyer, and let us help you navigate this challenging journey with the dedication and care you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows for various types of compensation, which differ based on the family member seeking them. These include:

  • Loss of support and services
  • Loss of companionship and protection (for surviving spouses)
  • Mental pain and suffering
  • Loss of parental companionship, instruction, and guidance (for surviving children)
  • Medical and funeral expenses
  • Loss of earnings
  • Loss of “prospective net accumulations”

Certain types of compensation, like lost earnings and prospective net accumulations, can only be recovered by the decedent’s estate. The wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by the estate’s personal representative. Due to the complexity of these issues, calculating financial losses requires an expert economist. Our attorneys will guide you through the process during your free consultation.

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows spouses, children, and parents to seek compensation under the appropriate circumstances. Although, as noted above, only the decedent’s personal representative may actually file a claim. In addition, as noted above, wrongful death actions will typically involve claims filed by the decedent’s estate to recover financial compensation for the loss of earnings that the decedent would have accumulated over their lifetime.

In many cases, yes. In the case of a fatal auto accident, for example, depending on the coverage available, family members may be able to file claims for:

  •       Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Survivor Benefits
  •       Funeral Benefits
  •       Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Benefits
  •       Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Coverage
  •       Umbrella or Business Insurance Coverage (in the case of an accident involving a working driver)

However, not all forms of insurance coverage will be available in all cases. For example, UIM coverage is optional in Florida, and our state has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation. If adequate insurance coverage is not available to cover your family’s losses, our attorneys will explore other alternatives to help you collect just compensation.

Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for most types of wrongful death claims. The two-year limitations period will run from the date of death in most cases, although there are certain exceptions. However, due to the need to conduct an investigation and secure compensation for your family as quickly as possible, we strongly encourage you to discuss your case with us right away.

Serving Your Community for Over 50 Years.
We Have 8 Convenient Office Locations to Serve You.
Port Orange
632 Dunlawton Ave.,
Port Orange, FL 32127
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DeLand
101 N. Woodland Blvd.,
DeLand, FL 32720
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Palm Coast
4879 Palm Coast NW,
Palm Coast, FL 32137
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Daytona Beach
1616 Concierge Blvd.,
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
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Deltona
1676 Providence Blvd,
Deltona, FL 32725
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Ormond Beach
555 W Granada Blvd,
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
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Lake Mary
1540 International Pkwy,
Lake Mary, FL 32746
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Winter Park
941 W Morse Blvd.,
Winter Park, FL 32789
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Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers

Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers N/a
Port Orange 632 Dunlawton Ave.,
Port Orange, FL 32127
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DeLand 101 N. Woodland Blvd.,
DeLand, FL 32720
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Palm Coast 4879 Palm Coast NW,
Palm Coast, FL 32137
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Daytona Beach 1616 Concierge Blvd.,
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
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Deltona 1676 Providence Blvd,
Deltona, FL 32725
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Ormond Beach 555 W Granada Blvd,
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
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Lake Mary 1540 International Pkwy,
Lake Mary, FL 32746
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Winter Park 941 W Morse Blvd.,
Winter Park, FL 32789
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