Largo Wrongful Death Lawyer
Any death resulting from an accident is a tragedy that often significantly impacts surviving family members. While those family members do have a legal standing to file suit against the person or entity responsible for causing their losses, being successful in that process is extremely difficult.
If someone else’s negligence directly caused a loved one’s death, having assistance from a Largo wrongful death lawyer will be vital in effectively pursuing the optimal outcome of your case. No matter what losses you wish to seek compensation for, a personal injury attorney will advocate for your rights and protect your family’s interests every step of the way.
Wrongful Death Damages and Recovery
A wrongful death claim’s primary purpose is to help a decedent’s surviving family members recover from the loss of a loved one. Compensation awarded in these claims will provide a means for them to deal with their own economic and non-economic losses stemming from the sudden death. The specific losses experienced by the deceased in the former scenario are often recoverable through a separate claim called a survival action.
Compensable damages in a typical wrongful death case include the following:
- Lost household services
- Lost future financial support
- Lost marital or parental care
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Lost companionship and comfort
- Lost guidance, education, and training
State law sets “caps” on non-economic recovery that limit how much compensation is recoverable for “pain and suffering” damages following a wrongful death. While these caps differ from year to year they will generally stay around the same amount. For example, in 2022 the cap for a case with a single beneficiary is $920,000 while multiple beneficiaries could receive $1,380,000, 150% of the single beneficiary amount.
The combined limit on non-economic compensation between a wrongful death claim and a survival action claim would be $2,300,000. Other unique claims may apply to wrongful death stemming from instances of medical negligence. A Largo wrongful death lawyer could help establish which claims apply to individual cases.
Procedural Rules for Wrongful Death Litigation
Wrongful death can occur as a result of many different scenarios such as:
- Car, truck, motorcycle, or bus accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Premises liability issues such as negligent security
- Medical malpractice
- Mass torts
- Dangerous drugs or defective products
Immediate family members will have legal standing to file for a wrongful death case. The first priority goes to the decedent’s spouse, children, or parents. If none of those family members survive to pursue a claim, the right to file passes to any relative by blood, marriage, or dependent of the decedent.
Additionally, there is a standard three-year filing deadline for wrongful death litigation, with the filing period beginning on the decedent’s date of death. However, individuals who pass away due to “occupational disease” may have different applicable deadlines, which a wrongful death attorney in Largo can ensure are met.
Let a Largo Wrongful Death Attorney Help Provide Compensation for Your Family’s Loss
Wrongful death litigation is very challenging to pursue effectively, especially if you are still dealing with the immense stress and grief that a loved one’s death can bring. While financial compensation cannot completely erase the harm your family has experienced, it is vital to preserving your long-term financial security and mitigating the impact this tragedy has on your future.
A capable Largo wrongful death lawyer will be an essential ally throughout every step of this journey. Learn more by calling Price Benowitz today to schedule a free case evaluation.
