When to Hire a Lawyer for Wrongful Death
Losing someone you love is a heartbreaking experience, made worse when the death could have been prevented. Negligence by a vehicle driver, physician, medical facility or other entity which causes a death is referred to as wrongful death. When a loved one is a victim of wrongful death in Florida, the family can pursue legal action for compensation with a wrongful death lawsuit. If you have experienced the loss of a spouse, parent, or child and you believe the death was caused by someone else’s negligence, it may be in your best interest to hire a wrongful death lawyer.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Typically, only immediate family members may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for damages for a lost loved one in Florida. For example, surviving spouses, minor children and parents of a minor child may file a lawsuit for their lost family member. In some cases, parents of an adult child without a spouse or adult children of a deceased parent might also file for wrongful death. There are statutes of limitations on filing a wrongful death lawsuit, usually within two years from the time of death, but there may be some exceptions to this rule.
Should I Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?
It can be a painful decision to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit but holding the person or entity responsible can help prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss. If it is determined that your loved one lost their life due to negligent conduct of an individual or entity, your family has the right to seek justice and compensation. Being made financially whole will not bring your loved one back but can provide compensation for lost income, medical expenses and other costs, as well as have a punitive impact on the responsible party.
No one can tell you whether it is right for your family to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, but it is important to make the decision expediently. In Florida, most wrongful death cases must be filed within two years. An exception may be made when the cause of death is from medical negligence and is not discovered immediately. If the death was caused from intentional criminal actions, the statute of limitations may be longer for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Florida
If you and your family are considering pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit for a lost loved one in Florida, contact our experienced legal team at Tison Law Group. We are here to listen to your side of the story and offer legal advice on your options. Call our office in Tampa Bay to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal possibilities.
