Although just about any death can feel wrongful to the bereaved, filing a successful wrongful death action requires you to prove that your loved one died wrongfully. To build a successful claim in Florida, you and your lawyer must show the court that one or more of the following caused or at least contributed to a death.
- A wrongful act resulted in a death
- Negligence led to a death
- A breach of contract or warranty resulted in a death
We understand that thinking in legal terms is the last thing you want to do after you have lost a loved one. However, it is important to overcome any desire you may feel to ignore the events that led to your beloved’s demise. In most deaths, the people left behind often face severe financial burdens. For example, if your loved one supported the family financially, you and your children will likely suffer over this loss of income.
A successful wrongful death claim offers you a way to continue providing for your family. It also brings the negligent party to justice for his or her role in your loved one’s death. Some of the compensatory damages often awarded in successful claims include:
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Projected future income the deceased would have earned
- Funeral and medical expenses
- Loss of support and services to the deceased’s family
We know that these terms make little sense to victims of wrongful death. We also know that filing a claim is difficult and emotionally challenging. Before you rule out the possibility of pursuing a legal solution, consider talking over your case with an injury lawyer. You can also learn more about wrongful death by exploring our blog posts.