Orlando Wrongful Death Lawyers

Losing a loved one can be one of the hardest things that anyone ever has to deal with. When a loved one passes away as a result of someone else’s negligent, reckless, or intentional act, his or her family will be faced with numerous life-altering financial and emotional challenges that can be overwhelming. In such cases, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one. If someone you love died prematurely due to another party’s negligent or reckless actions, our Orlando wrongful death lawyers can provide you with the legal guidance you need to find closure in the form of just compensation during this difficult time.

Common causes of wrongful death

Wrongful death lawsuits attempt to recover damages for surviving family members and can stem from a variety of causes, including but not limited to:

• Auto accidents
• Defective products
• Personal injury
• Medical malpractice
• Work accidents
• Nursing home abuse

Wrongful death lawsuit eligibility in Florida

Immediate family members of the deceased victim are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Depending on state laws, other family members, such as stepparents, grandparents, and dependents, may also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Minors may need the assistance of an adult guardian to take a wrongful death suit to court. Our Orlando wrongful death lawyers are highly-experienced in Florida wrongful death cases and can assist you in determining who is eligible to file a suit on the victim’s behalf.

Orlando wrongful death lawyers at Pardy & Rodriguez, P.A. will do everything possible to make sure that you do not suffer further after the unnecessary death of your loved one. Our experts will handle your claim with compassion and respect and make sure that you receive the maximum compensatory damages that you are entitled to by law.

Damages our Orlando wrongful death lawyers can help you recover

While there is no amount of money that could make up for the loss of a loved one, compensatory damages in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit can relieve some of the burden of funeral, burial, and other expenses. Depending on state law, claimants are entitled to receive economic compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Care and protection loss
• Wage and Income loss
• Potential financial contributions and inheritance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wrongful death lawsuits in Florida

1. What qualifies as wrongful death?

Wrongful death comes into play when an individual is killed as the result of another person or party’s negligence or misconduct. In order to file a wrongful death suit in Florida, you must be able to prove that your loved one was killed as a result of negligence or misconduct. Here are some examples of wrongful death cases:

• A drunk driver caused a head-on collision that resulted in your loved one’s death.
• A defective product caused an accident that killed your loved one.
• A medical professional acted negligently in treating your loved one, thus resulting in their death.

The more evidence you can gather, the better chance you have of being able to prove that the other party is liable. Our experienced Orlando wrongful death lawyers can help you gather the right evidence for you during this difficult time in your life.

2. What is the statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death suit?

In the state of Florida, the statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death suit is two years from the person’s death. While that sounds like a lot of time, it can pass quickly as you grieve and attempt to establish a new normal. Once the Florida statute of limitations expires, you’re unable to seek compensation from the liable party. It’s best to consult with an experienced Orlando wrongful death attorney as soon as you can to ensure you don’t risk losing your right to seeking justice and compensation for your loss.

3. Who gets the money in a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida?

Family members are the only ones who can recover damages in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit. This includes:

• Spouse of deceased individual
• Children of deceased individual
• Parent of deceased individual
• Any blood relative who is fully or partially dependent on the deceased individual for care.

If you’re considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit, consult with experienced Orlando wrongful death lawyers who can help determine if you’re eligible to do so. They can also answer your questions regarding what to expect during the lawsuit process, timeline, and the amount of compensation you can seek.

4. How much is a wrongful death lawsuit worth?

On average, Florida wrongful death lawsuit settlements are in the range of $500,000 to $1 million. However, this is just an average, so your case could be worth more or less. A wrongful death lawsuit settlement takes into consideration factors such as:

• Death
• Loss of companionships
• Income and future income loss

For example, if your spouse earned $1 million per year, you’re likely to receive a higher payout than if they earned $50k per year. Our knowledgeable Orlando wrongful death lawyers can help you understand what goes into calculating a wrongful death settlement, as well as the steps you can take to improve the likelihood of maximizing your payout.

5. How are wrongful death settlements paid out in Florida?

Wrongful death settlement pay-outs will go through the probate process, so some of the money may go toward paying liabilities. Also, there may be attorney fees and miscellaneous expenses to be paid by the estate’s personal representative. This money is deducted from any money awarded to the survivor(s). Your Orlando wrongful death lawyers can answer settlement pay-out questions in more detail during your free initial consultation.