When does Florida law uphold a wrongful death claim?

Nothing can compare to the pain, loss, and emotional devastation of losing a family member or loved one. Protection for the victims of wrongful death in the state of Florida may be found in the “Wrongful Death Act.”

This act sets guidelines for issues such as damages that may be recovered, parties with alleged relationships to the deceased, potential beneficiaries, as well as time limits.

The situation and factors in wrongful death cases are often quite complex. If a loved one or family member has experienced a wrongful death due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to damages by Florida State Law. It is important to contact an experienced Palm Beach wrongful death attorney to ensure that your rights as a victim are protected and that you and your family get the financial relief you deserve.

Damages Due to Wrongful Death

According to state law, there are two types of damages to consider when dealing with Florida wrongful death claims: damages which fall under the classification of “economic,” and those considered to be “non-economic”.

Non-economic damages might include (but are not limited to):

• Mental duress
• Pain and suffering from time of incident
• Loss of instruction (i.e., when dealing with a child’s loss of parent)
• Loss of companionship and protection

Economic damages may include issues such as:

• Medical Bills
• Final Expenses
• Lost Wages
• Loss of Support and Services
• Loss of Net Accumulations

Beneficiaries Who May be Entitled to Damages

The potential beneficiaries able to recover economic or non-economic damages under Florida law might include the following:

• Parent of a deceased minor child
• Each parent of an adult child if there are no other survivors
• The surviving spouse
• The adult children of the decedent if there is no surviving spouse
• Minor children of the decedent
• All children of the decedent if there is no surviving spouse

Although in almost all other instances the distinction of adult vs. child falls at the age of 18, the definition of a minor child for the sole purposes of the Florida Wrongful Death Act is a child under the age of 25. Medical or funeral expenses due to the decedent’s injury or death may also be recovered by any survivor who has paid these expenses by law.

While on our website, be sure to order your free copy of Palm Beach wrongful death lawyer Evan Fetterman’s book, Smart Lawyers, Smart Clients – Wear Clean Underwear. This is an essential resource containing vital information for anyone dealing with a wrongful death in the state of Florida.

Compensation will never replace your loved one, but it may help to ease financial burdens as you grieve. Contact Fetterman & Associates – The Law Team today at 1-866-865-1244 for information regarding your wrongful death claim in Palm Beach, Florida. Our experienced Palm Beach wrongful death attorneys can help sort through the confusion and pain that accompany the loss of loved one to get the answers and compensation you need.