An unexpected death in your household can be extremely traumatic. You may find it inconvenient to pursue financial recovery while you cope with your grief. However, monetary compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit can help you cover the many expenses that can arise after the untimely loss of your loved one.
At GED Lawyers, we understand the difficulties you face following the death of someone you love. Our Boynton Beach personal injury lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the claims process. We can handle the legal aspects of your claim while you take the time you need to grieve your loss.
Filing a Claim For a Loved One’s Wrongful Death in Boynton Beach
When you lose someone you love, events may move quickly. Medical bills, burial expenses, and funeral costs can pile up. Even without the added expenses, you may find it difficult to make ends meet financially without your loved one’s income and support. A wrongful death lawsuit can help you seek justice and fair compensation from the parties responsible for your loved one’s death.
Florida Statutes § 768.21 allows the decedent’s personal representative to pursue the following damages on behalf of certain relatives:
Loss of Support and Services
Whether your household depended fully or partially on your lost loved one’s income, you could claim lost financial support from the date of death. You may also include services your loved one provided. For instance, if your loved one handled yard work and home maintenance, you could seek compensation for the costs of obtaining those household services.
Your claim can also incorporate future loss of support and services so you do not suffer from future financial hardship due to your loved one’s wrongful death. Monetary compensation for support and services is calculated based on the following factors:
- Your relationship to the deceased individual
- Your deceased loved one’s probable net income that would have been available to you had they survived
- Your and your loved one’s ages and life expectancies
- Services your lost loved one provided
Loss of Companionship
Your wrongful death lawsuit may incorporate claims for the loss of your loved one’s companionship. This includes mental pain and suffering endured by the spouse, child, or parents of the deceased. If the survivor is a child without another parent, they may also recover monetary compensation for lost parental instruction and guidance.
Pain and Suffering
Florida’s wrongful death statute also lets loved ones collect compensation for pain and suffering the victim experienced before they passed away. This is for the physical pain and suffering the decedent suffered. Mental pain and suffering endured by the decedent’s loved ones is considered separately.
Medical and Funeral Expenses
You can seek to recover medical expenses incurred by your loved one. This can cover surgical costs, inpatient stays, and other medical costs that occurred after your loved one’s accident and before their demise. Funeral and burial expenses for your loved one are also claimable in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful death laws in Florida are complicated, with many legal exceptions and considerations. At GED Lawyers, we have extensive experience helping loved ones seek compensation for wrongful death in Florida.
Allow our skilled Boynton Beach wrongful death attorneys to help you navigate the legal process. We can diligently pursue the compensation you deserve while you and your family work through this difficult time.
Parties Who Can Seek Compensation in a Boynton Beach Wrongful Death Claim
Florida Statutes § 768.20 strictly limits who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. The decedent’s personal representative is the only person who can file. A personal representative may be a person named in the deceased individual’s will or appointed by the court.
The personal representative seeks compensation on behalf of the deceased person’s estate and surviving family members. Survivors who may be beneficiaries of a wrongful death settlement include the decedent’s:
- Spouse
- Children, including children of unmarried parents
- Parents, if the deceased person was a minor
- Dependent family members, whether adopted or blood relatives
Legal damages from a wrongful death suit go to the state and are disbursed to the victim’s surviving family members, consistent with Florida inheritance law. GED Lawyers can help you seek the compensation you deserve after losing a family member due to another’s negligence.
Hiring the Right Boynton Beach Wrongful Death Attorney for Your Case
The aftermath of an untimely loss can be a blur. Sound legal advice and support is critical to ensure your rights are adequately represented. At GED Lawyers, we handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim, so you can take the time you need to recover from your loss. If you partner with our established Florida personal injury law firm for your wrongful death claim, we can:
Investigate to Determine Responsibility
When we take a wrongful death case, our goals are twofold: to seek financial recovery for our client and to hold the at-fault party accountable for their wrongful actions. We conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death to determine all the at-fault parties.
Gather Evidence to Prove Fault
We gather evidence relating to your loved ones passing, including medical records, police reports, photos and videos of the accident, and witness testimony. Our goal is to prove that the responsible party’s negligent actions directly or indirectly caused your loved one’s death.
Establish the Full Scope of Your Losses
While nobody can predict the outcome of a wrongful death case, we aim to secure maximum compensation for your devastating loss. Our case results reflect a track record for successful injury claims. You can rely on our skilled wrongful death lawyers in Boynton Beach to use their knowledge, experience, and resources to determine the full scope of your losses.
Represent Your Interests Throughout the Case
As soon as we take your case, we begin handling all emails, correspondence, and phone calls relating to your wrongful death claim. We will keep you in the loop while we handle negotiations and legal proceedings. While we work toward a reasonable settlement, you can rest assured that we have your best interests at heart.
File a Lawsuit Within the Appropriate Legal Time Frame
Florida Statute § 95.11 limits wrongful death claims to two years from the date of death. Failure to file a wrongful death lawsuit within this legal timeline could prevent you from securing compensation. Our team is aware of the time limits associated with such claims.
Contact Our Boynton Beach Wrongful Death Attorneys for a Free Case Review
At GED Lawyers, we understand that every wrongful death involves unique, deeply personal losses. If you lost someone you love due to another’s negligent or reckless actions, let our Boynton Beach wrongful death lawyers assist with your claim.
Contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation. During your initial consultation, one of our dedicated wrongful death attorneys in Boynton Beach can review your case and advise on your next steps.
