A wrongful death occurs when someone dies because of the fault of another person or entity, such as a business. Both intentional and unintentional acts can cause an injury that results in death.
The immediate surviving family members - such as spouses, children, and parents - may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of a St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney. Our St. Petersburg wrongful death lawyers at Dolman Law Group, Accident Injury Lawyers, PA is here to offer representation, guidance, and resources.
What Is Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death case is designed to allow family members who were dependent on the deceased for financial and emotional support to receive compensation. The Florida wrongful death statute (Florida Statute § 768.21) outlines the following:
“When the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any person, including those occurring on navigable waters, and the event would have entitled the person injured to maintain an action and recover damages if death had not ensued, the person or watercraft that would have been liable in damages if death had not ensued shall be liable for damages as specified in this act notwithstanding the death of the person injured, although death was caused under circumstances constituting a felony.”
Types of St. Petersburg Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death can occur from many different types of accidents, including:
- Bicycle accidents: These accidents are often fatal. You could be entitled to compensation under the Wrongful Death Act if you can prove the accident occurred because the defendant was negligent or purposeful.
- Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries can occur in a variety of ways. For example, common ways these occur include car accidents, sports injuries, slips and falls, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, boating accidents, and workplace accidents.
- Car accidents: Car accidents can be catastrophic. If the driver was being negligent, such as driving under the influence or texting while driving, they could be held liable for the death of your loved one.
- Construction accidents: Construction sites often have large heavy machinery that can be dangerous. If a loved one died due to the negligence of a construction company, your family could receive compensation for the loss.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycles can be more dangerous because there is no protective equipment surrounding them. It is easy for a rider to be thrown from their bike even with a minor accident. Because of their size and lack of protective equipment, motorcycle accidents can be fatal.
- Product liability cases: There are measures in place to make sure products on the market are safe for consumers. Unfortunately, there are cases where the manufacturer knows about a defect and does not properly warn customers. In these cases, if a person dies due to the use of a defective product, their survivors can file a wrongful death claim.
Possible Damages in a St. Petersburg Wrongful Death Case
Florida law sets forth a list of damages that can be recoverable in a wrongful death action, including:
- Loss of future support and services
- Loss of companionship and protection on behalf of a spouse
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of parental companionship, instruction, and guidance, as well as pain and suffering for minor children
- Medical expenses your loved one accrued before their death (These include ambulance rides, emergency room care, hospital stays, surgical costs, and medications. Any other costs that occurred while medical professionals were trying to save your loved one's life can be included in damages.)
- Funeral expenses, including costs associated with the funeral, such as cremation, burial, and casket or urn costs
- Lost wages if the family relied on the decedent's income (You could be entitled to receive compensation for the income that will no longer be supplied to you.)
Losing a loved one can leave your family feeling financially and emotionally ruined. That loss may be even more difficult to deal with if the death could have been prevented. The circumstances surrounding wrongful death and the Florida laws that apply to these types of cases are complex. It is important to speak with a St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney to discuss the specifics of your case.
We Advocate for Our Clients At Dolman Law Group, Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
We understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one, especially if it was due to someone else's negligence. Our goal is for you to focus on recovering from your loss while we take care of all legal matters. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. At St. Petersburg personal injury law firm, we promise that:
- You will be given your attorney's cell phone number and email so you can contact them regarding your case.
- We offer a “no recovery, no fee” promise. This means we will not charge you for our services unless there is a positive outcome. We also provide free consultations so there is no risk for potential clients to see if they have a wrongful death case.
- Our reputation is known for advocating for our clients during settlements, negotiations, and jury trials. We will work hard to reach a fair settlement for you and your family. If a settlement can not be reached, we can represent you during a trial.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in St. Petersburg
Contact our firm to hire a wrongful death attorney in St. Petersburg. We will discuss your rights to file a claim for damages against the person or persons who may be responsible for the loss of your loved one under Florida law.
Contact the Dolman Law Group, Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today at (727) 472-3909 for your free legal case evaluation and consultation.
St Petersburg Office
1663 1st Ave S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Phone: (727) 472-3909