If you’re struggling to come to terms with the unexpected loss of a loved one in Pelican Bay, we understand the pain and emotional toll it can take on you and your family. We recommend consulting with a Pelican Bay wrongful death lawyer from Anidjar & Levine, who can guide you through the legal process.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider consulting with a Pelican Bay personal injury lawyer who can provide you with guidance. We’ve recovered over $450 million in settlements for our clients.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Pelican Bay
Many families have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others. If you’re facing this unimaginable tragedy, you’re likely handling an emotional terrain.
A wrongful death claim is a legal action that seeks compensation for the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. You may be eligible to file a claim if you’re a surviving family member, such as a spouse, child, or parent.
Filing a claim can help you hold the responsible party accountable and secure financial compensation for your losses. In Florida, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a loved one’s passing, it’s natural to wonder what happened and who might be responsible. As you search for answers, you may discover that their death was the result of someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior.
Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:
- Fatal accidents: Car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents can all result in wrongful death when caused by someone else’s negligence.
- Medical malpractice: Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals can make mistakes that lead to fatal consequences, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and medication overdoses.
- Workplace accidents: Construction site accidents, industrial accidents, and other workplace mishaps can be fatal when safety protocols are ignored or neglected.
- Product liability: Defective products, including faulty machinery, contaminated food, and hazardous drugs, can cause wrongful death when manufacturers fail to guarantee their safety for use.
- Intentional harm: Assault, battery, and other intentional acts of violence can result in wrongful death when someone’s actions lead to the loss of a life.
The Investigation Process Begins
Your Pelican Bay wrongful death lawyer will initiate a thorough case review, examining every detail surrounding the incident. This involves gathering and analyzing evidence, including medical records, police reports, witness statements, and any other relevant documentation.
Your lawyer will also identify and interview witnesses, such as medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and anyone else who may have been involved in or witnessed the event.
Evidence collection is an important component of the investigation process. Your lawyer will work to preserve and gather physical evidence, such as photographs, videos, and physical objects related to the incident.
A Pelican Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Prove Liability
To prove liability and negligence in a wrongful death case, you’ll need to establish that the responsible party breached their duty of care. Here’s what to know:
Breach of Duty
In proving liability and negligence in a wrongful death claim, you must establish that the defendant breached their duty of care, causing the decedent’s death. This breach of duty is an important element in holding the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Some examples of breaches of duty that can lead to wrongful death include:
- Failing to maintain a safe work environment leads to a fatal accident
- Neglecting to provide proper medical care, resulting in a patient’s death
- Ignoring safety protocols, causing a fatal incident
- Driving recklessly, resulting in a fatal car accident
- Failing to supervise properly leads to a preventable death
Causation of Harm
Establishing causation of harm is an important step in proving liability and negligence in a wrongful death claim, as it directly links the defendant’s breach of duty to the decedent’s death. You need to demonstrate that the defendant’s actions or inactions caused the harm that led to the death.
In cases of medical malpractice, for instance, you may need to show that a healthcare provider’s harmful intentions or reckless behavior led to the patient’s demise. This might involve reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts in the field.
Neglectful Actions
Proving negligence and liability in a wrongful death claim often hinges on demonstrating neglectful actions by the defendant. When you’re seeking justice for the loss of a loved one, it’s important to show that the defendant’s careless omissions or reckless inattention led to the tragic outcome.
Some examples of neglectful actions that can contribute to a wrongful death include:
- Failing to maintain a safe environment leads to preventable accidents
- Ignoring warning signs or red flags that could have prevented a tragedy
- Disregarding industry standards or best practices, putting lives at risk
- Overlooking pivotal safety protocols, resulting in devastating consequences
- Prioritizing profits over people leads to catastrophic outcomes
Calculating Damages and Compensation in Pelican Bay
When calculating damages and compensation for a wrongful death case, you’ll need to ponder the economic losses your family has suffered. You may also be eligible for non-economic damages. Our Pelican Bay wrongful death lawyers can help you with:
Economic Loss Calculation
In the aftermath of a wrongful death, calculating economic losses is an important step in determining the damages and compensation you’re entitled to. This process involves assigning a monetary value to the financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of your loved one’s passing.
Loss valuation and financial analysis are important in calculating economic damages. These losses may include:
- Medical expenses and funeral costs
- Lost income and benefits, including pension and retirement plans
- Loss of inheritance or future earnings
- Value of household services and childcare
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the incident
Pain and Suffering
Calculating pain and suffering damages is a multifaceted, often highly subjective process that requires a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological toll of your loss.
Pain and suffering damages aim to compensate you for the emotional trauma, long-term anxiety, and profound sense of loss that follows a wrongful death. These non-economic damages are unique to each individual and may manifest in various ways, such as sleep disturbances, depression, or feelings of guilt and anger.
Your lawyer will work to assign a monetary value to these damages, taking into account factors like the severity of your emotional distress, the impact on your daily life, and the anticipated duration of your suffering.
Contact a Pelican Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer
You’ve taken the first step towards seeking justice for your loved one by considering a Pelican Bay wrongful death attorney. Now, it’s important to act quickly and choose a lawyer who can effectively handle the legal process. With Anidjar & Levine’s help, you can focus on grieving and healing while we fight to secure the compensation you and your family need.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
