Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Hobe Sound
It's a reality no one wants to face: the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one due to someone else's negligence or recklessness. When faced with such a tragedy, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. That's why we're here. As wrongful death lawyers serving Hobe Sound, we're dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of those who have suffered an unimaginable loss.
We understand that no amount of legal action can ever bring back your loved one, but we believe in holding accountable those responsible for their untimely passing.
What is Wrongful Death?Wrongful death is just what one would imagine it to be. When a loved one dies due to the negligence of another, it is considered a wrongful death. Even if the person responsible for the victim’s death did not intentionally hurt them, they can still be held civilly liable.
Normally, an accident victim is able to sue the other party for damages. Unfortunately, in these cases, the victim has passed away. It is the decedent’s family who may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
It’s important to remember that wrongful death claims are civil cases, distinct from any criminal charges that may also arise from the death.
To win a wrongful death claim, the survivors must prove that another person’s negligence caused their loved one’s death. This can be difficult to do without experienced legal help.
An experienced wrongful death lawyer will know how to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and gather evidence to support the claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?If you have lost a loved one in some sort of accident, your family may be entitled to compensation. However, only certain people can sue. According to Florida’s wrongful death statute, a wrongful death claim can be filed by the victim’s surviving spouse or children.
If there are no surviving children, then the parents of the deceased person may qualify to file suit. If none of these parties are willing or able to file suit, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate may be able to file suit on the family’s behalf.
Your Wrongful Death Attorney Must Demonstrate That You Have Standing to SueIn order to file a wrongful death claim, your attorney must be able to demonstrate that the victim died as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. You will also need to show that you are a surviving family member who has suffered financial damages as a result of the death.
If you think you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim, you should speak with an experienced wrongful death lawyer serving Hobe. An experienced lawyer can help you investigate your case and determine whether you have a valid claim.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?If your wrongful death lawsuit is successful, you can expect to receive damages. In a personal injury case, the plaintiff is the person who suffered the injury. Here, that isn’t possible. In wrongful death lawsuits, it’s the family of the victim who will be receiving damages.
The damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit will depend on the facts of the case. In Florida, your wrongful death attorney can demand both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, such as funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, and lost wages.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify and may include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim’s family but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar acts of negligence.
Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death ClaimAs with any other personal injury lawsuit, there is a limited amount of time that you have to file your wrongful death lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations.
Your wrongful death attorney understands that, in Florida, plaintiffs only have two years to file suit. The two years will start on the date of your loved one’s death. If you try to file after this time frame has expired, your case will likely be dismissed.
If you miss the filing deadline, you can expect one of two things to happen. The defendant will file a motion to dismiss for untimely filing. Or the court clerk will notice that you have missed the deadline and will reject your claim upon submission.
There are certain circumstances that can extend the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in Florida. For example, if the death was caused by medical malpractice, you may have up to four years to file a claim. If the deceased was a minor at the time of their death, you may have up to eight years to file a claim on their behalf.
The important thing to note is that, as long you retain one of our wrongful death lawyers serving Hobe Sound early in the process, this shouldn’t be an issue. They’ll make sure your claim is filed with plenty of time.
Qualifications of Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Hobe SoundThe lawyers who handle wrongful death claims in Hobe Sound are experienced and qualified to help you get the compensation your family deserves. These lawyers have successfully represented many families in similar situations and have a proven track record of winning cases.
When you hire a wrongful death lawyer from our firm, you can be confident that you are hiring an experienced professional who will fight for your rights.
How to Choose the Right Wrongful Death LawyerIf your loved one was killed in an accident, be it a motor vehicle accident or another type of accident, you have options. The best way to know what these options are is to speak to a wrongful death lawyer serving Hobe Sound.
We understand that nothing can bring your loved one back. And no amount of money can bring them back anyway. However, sometimes, it is enough to know that the person responsible for their death will be held accountable.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a wrongful death lawyer:
- Experience – You will want to choose a lawyer who has experience handling wrongful death claims. This type of claim is complex and requires an experienced hand to navigate.
- Compassion – Your lawyer should be compassionate and understanding of what you are going through. They should be able to provide support and guidance throughout the process.
- Results – Choose a lawyer who has a track record of success in handling similar cases. This will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome in your case.
The wrongful death lawyers at our firm will do our best to seek compensation for your loss. While we do that, you and your family can take the time to grieve for the loss of your loved one.
Alternatives To a Wrongful Death ClaimWhile filing a wrongful death claim can be an important step in seeking justice, it is not the only option available to you. Here are some other alternatives to consider:
- File a personal injury claim: You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party.
This can help you recover damages for your loved one's pain and suffering, as well as any medical expenses incurred prior to their death.
- Seek out a settlement: If the responsible party is willing to negotiate, you may be able to reach a settlement agreement without having to file a formal lawsuit.
This can save you time and money and allow you to get the closure you need without going through the lengthy and often stressful court process.
- File a police report: In some cases, filing a police report can lead to criminal charges being filed against the responsible party. This is especially true if there is evidence of foul play or recklessness on their part.
Filing a police report can also help build your case if you do decide to file a civil suit down the road.
- Talk to an attorney: Speaking with an experienced wrongful death attorney can give you a better understanding of your legal rights and options. They can also help guide you through the process of filing your claim and pursuing the responsible party.
Our wrongful death attorneys have handled more than their fair share of wrongful death cases. There are certain causes of wrongful death that we have seen as compared to others. Some of these include:
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products
- Violent crimes
No matter how your loved one died, it is tragic. There is a good chance that your family is entitled to compensation. It all depends on how quickly you act and whether you consult with wrongful death lawyer serving Hobe Sound.
Your Wrongful Death Attorney Will Make Sure to Name All Possible DefendantsIf you have lost a family member in a tragic accident, you may have standing to a wrongful death lawsuit. It all depends on the facts of your case. When you meet with one of our wrongful death attorneys, they can help you explore your options and determine how best to proceed.
In many cases, there may be more than one defendant who can be held responsible for a wrongful death. For example, if your loved one was killed in a car accident, the other driver may be liable, but so may the manufacturer of the car if there was a defect that contributed to the accident.
If your loved one died due to medical malpractice, the doctor or hospital may be liable. If your loved one was murdered, the murderer may be liable, but so might the property owner if they failed to provide adequate security.
Your wrongful death attorney will make sure to name all possible defendants so that you have the best chance of getting justice for your loved one's death.
Are There Any Defenses to Wrongful Death the Defendant Can Raise?One question a lot of our clients ask is whether there are defenses to wrongful death that the defendant can raise. It’s important that you understand these going into the process. This way, if the defendant’s lawyer does raise one of these defenses, you are prepared.
Some of the more commonly used defenses to wrongful death in Florida include:
- The victim contributed to his or her own death.
- The death was caused by an act of God or nature.
- The defendant did not have a duty to the victim.
- The defendant did not breach his or her duty to the victim.
- The victim's death was not reasonably foreseeable.
- The defendant was not negligent.
- The victim assumed the risk of death by engaging in a voluntary activity.
While the defendant can raise any one of these defenses, that doesn’t mean they won’t still be held accountable. Your wrongful death attorney will do whatever it takes to overcome their claims. As long as you can prove that the defendant was negligent or reckless, they will be hard pressed to find an excuse for their behavior.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer Serving Hobe Sound?Another question a lot of our clients have when they meet with one of our wrongful death lawyers serving Hobe Sound is how much it costs to file suit. The good news is that it will not cost you anything to retain our services.
Not only do we offer all new clients a free, initial consultation, but we don’t charge you anything upfront. The way our firm is paid is through something called a contingency fee agreement.
Once we win or settle your case, we will be paid a percentage of your recovery. The rate will depend on the way your case progresses. For example, it will cost more if your case goes to trial. The rate may be lower if your case settles in the early days.
Your Wrongful Death Lawyer Serving Hobe Sound Will Work Hard to Negotiate a SettlementOur wrongful death lawyers serving Hobe Sound will work diligently to negotiate a fair settlement with the defendant or their insurance carrier. In fact, most of the cases our firm handles does settle long before trial.
While we will attempt to negotiate a settlement, we will not force you to accept the defendant’s offer. We understand that your loss is great, and your compensation must be commensurate with your loss.
At the same time, there are many benefits to settling your wrongful death claim. These will be discussed in more detail below.
If an agreement cannot be reached, your lawyer will take your case to court.
Your Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Hobe Sound Understand How Difficult This Must BeWrongful death is a tragedy that can be devastating for the family of the deceased. If your loved one was killed due to the acts of third party, it's important to seek justice.
Our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Hobe Sound are here to help guide victims and their families through this difficult time and ensure they get the compensation they deserve.
With our team’s knowledge and resources, we will work hard to fight for your rights and ensure that justice is served.
Contact an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer Serving Hobe Sound, FloridaIf you have lost a loved one due to the acts of another, you have some difficult decisions to make. Our wrongful death lawyers serving Hobe Sound can help you make these decisions. They can help you understand your legal options and fight for the justice your family deserves.
No amount of money can ever make up for the loss of a loved one. However, filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help hold the responsible party accountable and ensure that your family is financially taken care of during this difficult time.
If you are considering taking legal action, it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer who can help you navigate the complex legal process.
At our firm, we have extensive experience handling all types of wrongful death claims, including those involving medical malpractice, car accidents, and workplace accidents.
We will thoroughly investigate your case and build a strong argument on your behalf. We are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation possible and will do everything we can to get you the justice you deserve.
We suggest that you take some time to grieve with your family. When you are ready, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our wrongful death lawyers serving Hobe Sound. You can reach our office at (561) 800-8000. Or, if it is more convenient, feel free to reach out to us directly through our website.