Damages for Wrongful Death Claims
A typical personal injury claim is filed by a person who has been harmed by another party’s thoughtless or malicious actions. In the worst cases, however, victims of negligent actions do not survive their injuries. Fortunately, this does not mean that the careless parties who caused their deaths are free from facing any penalties. Close relatives of a deceased person can sometimes file claims on his or her behalf.
Under the law, surviving relatives have grounds for a wrongful death claim if the deceased person would have had grounds for legal action had he or she survived. In other words, the standard of evidence for a wrongful death claim is the same as a personal injury claim. In Florida, relatives who can benefit from a wrongful death claim include the deceased person’s spouse, parents, children under the age of 25, and any dependent blood relatives.
Potential Compensatory Damages
The loss of a family member can be severely disruptive on many levels, from the tragic emotional losses to more pragmatic concerns such as the family income. After an unexpected loss, it can be very difficult to plan for the future while coping with staggering medical bills, lost income, and significant pain.
While nothing can truly compensate for this kind of loss, surviving family members can at least pursue repayment for losses such as:
- Medical bills related to the deceased person’s injuries
- Loss of the deceased person’s companionship and protection
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased person’s projected future earnings
- Loss of the deceased person’s benefits (insurance, pension, etc)
Proving your eligibility for damages like these can be a complex undertaking. An experienced Orlando wrongful death lawyer can provide the information, support, and representation you need during this difficult time.
Contact Us
If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s reckless actions, our knowledgeable and dedicated Orlando personal injury lawyer, Todd K. Miner, will fight for you. Contact us at 407-420-4040.