wrongful death claimsThe sudden loss of a family member is one of the worst things you will ever experience. Unfortunately, a loss that is someone else's fault only makes the death more painful. Relatives are forced to endure the physical and financial absence of someone they loved, along with the terrible knowledge that the tragedy could have been prevented.

In recognition of the pain and suffering that negligence can cause, the law allows survivors to get justice and compensation after a wrongful death in Florida.

Common Accidents That Cause a Wrongful Death

Accidental death can have a lifelong impact on surviving relatives, causing a loss of support that's traumatizing for everyone connected to the victim. Attorney Paul Cavonis has experience guiding survivors through this arduous process, giving them the time they need to mourn the loss while aggressively pursuing a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

We advise families who are struggling after a loss due to a variety of accidents and injuries, including:

  • Car accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of fatalities across all age groups and are frequently caused by distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers.
  • Truck accidents. The impact caused by fully-loaded trucks traveling at highway speeds often results in fatal injuries for people in passenger cars.
  • Motorcycle accidents. Without the protection of a steel cage, motorcyclists are much more likely to be killed in a collision with another vehicle.
  • Bicycle accidents. Drivers unwilling to share the road can force bicyclists into open car doors, stationary objects, or the path of oncoming vehicles.
  • Pedestrian accidents. People traveling on foot may not survive the force of being struck by a car in an intersection or when a drunk driver veers onto a sidewalk.
  • Slips and falls. While adults may suffer minor injuries in a trip, slip, or fall, these accidents can result in death for senior citizens or people who fall from several stories high.
  • Dog bites. A dog attack or severe bite can be fatal for small children, causing immeasurable suffering for parents and siblings.
  • Defective products. Thousands of people are injured every year as a result of faulty appliances, toys, household products, and other items. An injury from a poorly-designed or defective product can prove fatal, especially if the failed component is in a motor vehicle.
  • Defective drugs or medical devices. Medications and implants pose the same failure risks as other consumer products, and manufacturers can be held liable when drugs and medical devices cause harm.

What to Do If Someone Died as a Result of Negligence

All victims have the right to pursue legal action to recover costs when negligence causes an injury or illness. If the victim dies as a result of these injuries, surviving family members can pursue medical costs and more by filing a lawsuit on the victim's behalf.

Spouses, children, and other survivors may bring a claim under the Florida Wrongful Death Act to recover damages, including funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses related to the accident, loss of financial support, loss of services, loss of companionship, as well as out-of-pocket expenses or economic consequences stemming from a family member's unexpected death. However, state law requires these claims to be filed within two years of the date of death. The family may be barred from seeking compensation if the claim isn't issued on time.

While no amount of money can ever make up for the death of a loved one, compensation can help ease your family’s financial burden and give you the security and closure you need to move forward.

At DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A. our wrongful death attorney will help examine your options and get you the maximum compensation owed under the law. Simply fill out the brief contact form on this page to set up a consultation and get answers to your questions.