Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyer
A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer from the experienced law firm of Meirowitz & Wasserberg can help you recover compensation and begin to find closure after the death of a loved one at the hands of a negligent party. We can help determine liability, keep you informed of your legal rights, and advocate for you and your family.
Wrongful death occurs when an individual dies due to the misconduct or negligence of another person or organization. Various circumstances can result in wrongful death lawsuits, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, criminal activity, and product defects.
At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP, we represent clients in a range of malpractice and accident claims throughout Florida. We will investigate the death of your loved one and determine whether you have a valid wrongful death claim. If so, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys will represent you in your case to obtain compensation and justice for your tragic loss.
Quick Links
- Our Esteemed Wrongful Death Attorneys Demand Justice When the Odds Are Stacked Against You
- Maximize Your Wrongful Death Compensation
- Time Limits To File Your Wrongful Death Claim
- Who can sue for wrongful death in Fort Lauderdale?
- What is considered wrongful death in Florida?
- Proving Negligence in Your Case
- FAQs
- Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale
Our Esteemed Wrongful Death Attorneys Demand Justice When the Odds Are Stacked Against You
Our legal team has years of experience in recovering compensation for personal injury and wrongful death victims. We handle motorcycle accidents, auto accidents, construction accidents, and truck accidents cases, as well as slip and falls and many other types of wrongful death cases.
Our clients have recommended us to others based on our professionalism, compassion, and commitment to justice, and we are honored to have won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for so many hard-working, deserving families over the years.
Our wrongful death attorneys in Fort Lauderdale are familiar with Florida laws and can explain the pertinent details so you feel comfortable and confident in trusting us to fight relentlessly for you.
We will:
- Investigate your claim
- Gather evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Handle paperwork and communications
- Prepare pleadings (demands of defendant) and motions (requests of the judge)
- File complaints
- Conduct discovery, including questioning witnesses and experts
- Represent you at trial, if necessary
Maximize Your Wrongful Death Compensation
Compensation awarded in wrongful death lawsuits cover different types of damages. Economic awards cover such expenses as medical care costs incurred before the death of your family member, funeral and burial costs, and loss of income.
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of consortium, may also be awarded in wrongful death cases.
Punitive damages are separate damages intended to punish a liable individual or entity for behavior deemed especially egregious. Such damages are meant to act as a warning to prevent others from behaving similarly in the future and are awarded at the court’s discretion.
In many cases, lawyers can negotiate a settlement without going to court, but an out-of-court settlement is not always possible. When that is the case, your attorney will prepare your case to present to a jury at trial, allowing the jury to determine whether the facts of your case merit compensation.
The Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers at Meirowitz & Wasserberg have the trial skills and resources to go head-to-head with a defendant and win.
Time Limits To File Your Wrongful Death Claim
The statute of limitations in Florida allows you two years to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. Waiting too long to file a lawsuit could mean you lose the right to seek compensation for the loss of your loved one. It’s important to note that there are no deadlines for wrongful deaths resulting from manslaughter or murder under Florida law.
It is understandable that you may experience shock, emotional suffering, and confusion following the wrongful death of a family member. Even so, it is vital to act quickly and speak with an attorney experienced in handling wrongful death cases so that you do not lose the right to seek justice for your deceased loved one.
Statutes of limitations vary by state and may contain exceptions. We will discuss the specifics of your case, including deadlines to file your claim, when you contact us for your free, no-obligation case review.
Who can sue for wrongful death in Fort Lauderdale?
State laws vary regarding who can bring a wrongful death claim. Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, the representative of the victim’s estate is required to file any lawsuit benefitting the deceased’s survivors.
Family members eligible to recover an award from a wrongful death claim would include spouses, children, and parents. Other potentially eligible family members include blood or adoptive siblings, but only if the siblings were a dependent of the victim. In situations where a child’s parents were not married, and the father is the victim, the father must have accepted responsibility for that child for the child to be eligible to receive compensation in a wrongful death claim.
What is considered wrongful death in Florida?
Florida law states that wrongful death occurs when one individual dies as a result of the negligence of another party. A wrongful death may occur due to a variety of circumstances, including car crashes, truck accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, and intentional acts. An intentional act could also involve a crime.
If you are not sure whether the death of your loved one is considered a wrongful death, you can consult with one of our Ft. Lauderdale personal injury attorneys. We are experienced in handling all types of wrongful death cases and can tell you whether you have a basis for a lawsuit.
Proving Negligence in Your Case
A critical element of a wrongful death case is proving negligence. To prove negligence, you must first demonstrate that the defendant had responsibility for duty of care in the relevant situation. You must also prove the defendant behaved in a manner that breached the duty of care for which they were responsible.
FAQs
What is the average wrongful death settlement in Florida?
In Florida, compensation awards in wrongful death cases can vary based on numerous factors. Settlement amounts can also depend on the defendant’s financial worth and whether insurance coverage is applicable. Talk to a wrongful death attorney to discuss your expectations for compensation.
Can you sue for wrongful death in Florida?
Whether you can sue for wrongful death in Florida depends on several factors, including your relationship with the deceased. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim in Florida, schedule a consultation with Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP today. Our attorneys can examine the facts related to your case and provide information regarding whether you can sue for wrongful death.
Are wrongful death settlements taxable in Florida?
In Florida, income tax does not apply to wrongful death settlements.
Contact our office today if you believe you may have a wrongful death claim. We can investigate the specifics of your loved one’s death, discuss your legal rights, and, if appropriate, file a wrongful death claim on your behalf to obtain financial compensation.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale
AVAILABLE 24/7
Get Your Free Case ReviewNotable Results
$200,000
Personal injury settlement
$235,000
Slip and fall injury
$675,000
Product liability injury
$555,000
Premises liability injury
Nancy, New York (NY)
