Delray Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer
There are the obvious implications that affect you personally when you lose a loved one in a wrongful death incident that involves negligence. You feel grief, depression, and even anger at the responsible party. However, there are some impacts that you may not expect, and which you may not experience until well after your loved one’s death. Your entire family could face financial hardship when the victim can no longer contribute to the household. You also suffer from the void when your family member is not around to offer guidance, advice, love, and support.
The team of Delray Beach wrongful death lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez understands that losing a loved one is horrific and there is nothing that can bring that person back. Still, we can provide some comfort by taking the financial burdens off your shoulders. Family members do have rights under Florida’s wrongful death laws, so please contact our office to find out more about your options.
The Basics of Florida Wrongful Death Claims
Under Florida’s wrongful death statute, designated family members and an estate representative can seek compensation for their losses from the party responsible for causing the victim’s death. Victims also have rights to pursue their own claims for damages through a suit similar to a personal injury case. Due to the deceased’s passing, surviving family members stand in the shoes of the victim in filing a claim.
Generally, survivors may have a wrongful death when their loved one died because of intentional misconduct, recklessness, or negligence. Some examples include situations involving:
- Murder, assault, or other criminal attacks;
- Drunk driving;
- Medical malpractice;
- Defective products;
- Motor vehicle accidents, such as those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians;
- Dog bites and animal attacks;
- Dangerous conditions on property; and,
- Many others.
Establishing Your Rights in a Wrongful Death Case
Regardless of the underlying cause of death, you must prove certain elements to establish your right to compensation in a wrongful death claim. Therefore, you need to show that:
- The responsible party owed a duty of care to not cause harm to the victim;
- That person breached this legal duty;
- The breach resulted in the individual’s death; and,
- You suffered losses because of your loved one’s passing.
If you are successful in proving these essential elements, you may be entitled to recover:
- Medical bills related to the victim’s injuries before death;
- Funeral and burial expenses;
- Loss of earning capacity, based upon what the deceased would have earned;
- Loss of financial support, especially for a surviving spouse and children;
- Loss of companionship, for the bereaved spouse; and,
- Other compensation depending on the specifics of your case.
Call Now to Speak with a Delray Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer
Wrongful death claims are complex from a procedural standpoint, but they can also be difficult to prove. When the victim is unavailable to testify in court, you must rely on other resources and a highly experienced attorney. Our wrongful death lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez are prepared to take on the tough battles involved with these claims, so please contact us to schedule your free consultation today. You can reach our office at 561-660-9421 or by visiting our website.
