An unexpected death can leave your family facing shock, grief, and financial uncertainty. Even as you try to process your loss, you may also be dealing with mounting bills and the absence of your loved one’s support and care.
If you have reason to believe someone else may be responsible, a Lake Mary wrongful death lawyer from our Rue & Ziffra practice can provide clarity. Our compassionate injury attorneys can help you better understand what happened, how your family can move forward, and the laws that apply to wrongful deaths.
Wrongful death claims may arise from many types of fatal incidents caused by negligence, including:
When someone suffers injuries due to another person’s negligence, they may bring a personal injury claim against the responsible party. However, if the injured person passes away, that personal injury claim expires under state law. Under Florida Statutes § 768.19 and Fla. Stat. § 768.20, the estate of the deceased may pursue a wrongful death claim, a process our Lake Mary attorneys can guide you through.
In Lake Mary, the estate and certain surviving family members may have the right to recover compensation after a death caused by someone else’s negligence, and our lawyers can assist you with understanding these claims. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.18, only specific relatives qualify for compensation:
In wrongful death claims, courts consider children under 25 to be minors.
Following a fatality caused by another party’s actions, families in Lake Mary can work with our wrongful death attorneys to pursue compensation for losses such as outstanding medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and lost wages.
Under Fla. Stat. § 768.21, survivors may also pursue damages based on the lost support and services that their loved one would have provided. This may include financial support as well as in-kind contributions, such as household responsibilities and childcare.
In some cases, survivors may also recover damages for emotional losses, including mental pain and suffering, depending on their relationship to the deceased. These damages are generally available to surviving spouses, minors, and the parents of minors, but may not apply in every situation.
Many of the same issues that arise in personal injury cases are present in wrongful death claims. Our attorneys often investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident by reviewing medical records, consulting experts, or interviewing witnesses to gather the necessary evidence. Based on that information, we can bring a client’s claim directly to the responsible party or, more often, their insurance company.
When a case is very strong, a settlement may be in everyone’s best interests. However, if one of the survivors is a minor or an incapacitated person, the court will need to approve the settlement. A lawyer from our Lake Mary practice can guide your family through the complexities and difficulties of the legal process following a fatal accident.
At Rue & Ziffra, we know that nothing can replace your family’s loss, but you do not have to face the process alone. For over 50 years, we have been in your community and on your side as your local injury attorneys, and many of the people we help come to us through referrals.
Speak with a Lake Mary wrongful death lawyer from our practice today and learn how we can help you take the next steps to seek justice.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
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