West Palm Beach Wrongful Death Attorneys
Receiving the news that a loved one has died is nothing short of heartbreaking, and is absolutely tragic when the death is not a result of natural causes and occurs too early in the decedents life. While accidental deaths happen for a number of different reasons, most of the time, negligence or recklessness is to blame. At the law offices of Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather Injury Lawyers, our West Palm Beach wrongful death lawyer can help you if you’ve lost a loved one and think someone else may be to blame.
Please call us today for a free consultation.
What Is a Wrongful Death Action?
A wrongful death action is a type of civil suit that is brought when the wrongful act or neglect of one party leads to the death of another. It is similar to a personal injury cause of action, but for the fact that the injuries have resulted in death and therefore the claim is not brought by the decedent, but instead by their personal representative. In order to win a wrongful death claim, a plaintiff will need to prove that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the decedent, the breach of the duty of care was the proximate cause of harm and death, and that the death resulted in damages.
What Types of Damages Are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Claim?
While only the personal representative of the decedent can file a wrongful death claim in Florida, damages recovered will be distributed to the beneficiaries of the decedents estate. Types of damages that may be sought in a wrongful death action include:
- Loss of the decedents support and services;
- Loss of companionship and protection;
- Loss of parental companionship and guidance;
- Medical and funeral expenses;
- Loss of earnings and benefits; and
- Pain and suffering.
How to Get Started
There is nothing easy about initiating a wrongful death claim after losing a loved oneeven thinking about a loved ones death can be painful. The sooner that you take action, though, the stronger and more viable your claim will likely be.
If you think that you have a wrongful death claim, one of the first things that you do you should be to talk to an attorney. An attorney can assist you in investigating the case, gathering evidence, navigating the claims process and the statute of limitations, hiring relevant experts, filing your claim, knowing what your claim is worth, and more. Our law firm will also represent you in negotiations and litigation if need be.
Call Our West Palm Beach Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
If you have recently lost a loved one in an accident that could have been prevented but for another’s negligence, call our West Palm Beach wrongful death lawyers immediately for a free consultation and an overview of your options. We are here to aggressively represent you and help you recover the settlement you deserve.
