Deerfield Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one is probably the most difficult thing a person will ever go through in his or her life no matter the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s death. However, when a person’s death occurs because another person or entity was negligent in some way, the death can become much more difficult to accept—and, because it was unplanned for, much more difficult to cope with financially.
Though most people do not like to think about finances in the wake of a loved one’s death, the truth is that death is expensive. There are funeral costs, unpaid medical expenses, lost income, and therapy charges to consider. Many aggrieved individuals also suffer non-economic damages, such as loss of consortium, mental anguish, and other damages on which you cannot truly place a value. Florida law allows individuals to recover compensation for damages accrued as the result of the unexpected loss of a loved one. In order to recover said compensation, a loved one or a representative of the deceased’s estate must first file a wrongful death claim.
At Leifer & Ramirez, our Deerfield Beach wrongful death lawyers understand that the last thing you want to think about in the wake of a loved one’s death is a lawsuit. When you work with us, you do not have to. Our legal team will handle all of the legalities and negotiations, and work to help you obtain a sizeable settlement while you focus on what is most important—celebrating the life of your loved one and healing.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Florida law allows “survivors” of the deceased to file and recover under a wrongful death claim. However, the term “survivor” varies from state to state. In Florida, “survivor” refers to the following individuals:
- Spouse;
- Children;
- Parents;
- Dependent adoptive siblings;
- Children born out of wedlock to a mother;
- Children born out of wedlock to a father (if it can be shown that the father has accepted financial responsibility of the child); and
- Dependent blood relatives.
Any of the aforementioned individuals may file a claim and receive compensation to cover the cost of burial and funeral expenses, loss of services, loss of companionship, medical expenses, the decedent’s pain and suffering prior to death, loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, and other expenses.
Proving Wrongful Death
Just as with personal injury claims, the claimants in wrongful death cases must be able to prove that they lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. This is where a Deerfield Beach wrongful death lawyer comes into play. An experienced attorney understands what elements are necessary to prove wrongful death and can investigate the claim to gather the appropriate evidence. While the more supporting evidence our team can gather the better, we, at the very least, must be able to obtain evidence that proves the following four elements to be true:
- The defendant owed a duty to the deceased;
- The defendant breached his or her duty;
- The breach of duty is what caused the individual to die; and
- The surviving family members have since faced damages that they would not otherwise have encountered had the loved one survived.
Contact Leifer & Ramirez in Deerfield Beach Today
While no amount of compensation will bring back your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit will ensure that the liable party is held accountable and, more importantly, that you are given the chance to recover the compensation you need to get your family through this financially trying time. For the legal representation you need to make the most of your claim, contact Leifer & Ramirez today.
