Did you lose a loved one due to an accident in Belle Glade, FL? Our experienced Belle Glade wrongful death lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (561) 981-8338 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. Contact our Belle Glade, FL law offices to discuss the legal options available to you following your loved one’s wrongful death. The following steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your wrongful death case today.
Are You Seeking a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Belle Glade For a Loved One?
A tragedy can be incredibly difficult for those left behind when the unthinkable happens. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but it can feel even worse when the loss was caused by another party’s negligence.
A Belle Glade wrongful death lawyer can provide assistance to you and your family during this challenging time. A wrongful death affects the bereaved family financially and emotionally; mounting medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and insurance claims can cause significant stress. Although it may not be the first thing on your mind when coping with such tragedy, it is essential to secure legal help due to Florida’s two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death suits.
When surviving family members obtain legal experience from a Belle Glade wrongful death lawyer who understands the laws governing the underlying causes of injury, they gain a significant advantage. It is common for insurance companies and their representatives to employ shifty tactics to reduce, stall, or deny insurance claims in an attempt to minimize their financial liability.
Wrongful Death Statistics in Belle Glade, FL
The state of Florida publishes data on wrongful death cases in its Annual Statistical Report. According to this report for 2020, 1,851 wrongful death cases were reported across Florida.
This represents a decrease of 6.5% from the year before, and it is the sixth consecutive year that the number of wrongful death cases has decreased.
Most wrongful death cases (1,564 or 62.5%) occur in the counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. The following most common counties for wrongful death cases are Monroe (116 or 9.4%), Hillsborough (69 or 5.1%), and Pinellas (60 or 4.2%).
Belle Glade, located in Palm Beach County, reported eight wrongful death cases in 2020, representing 0.4% of all wrongful death cases in Florida. This decreased from the previous year when eleven such cases were reported in Belle Glade.
It’s important to note these numbers do not account for all wrongful death cases in Belle Glade, as some families may choose not to file a lawsuit or pursue legal action.
How Shiner Law Group Can Help You For a Belle Glade Wrongful Death
Knowing that you are not alone is essential if you’ve suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in Belle Glade. The dedicated lawyers at Shiner Law Group are always available to help you through this difficult time and fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.
No amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one, but it can help ease the financial burden of such a tragedy. If your loved one died due to the negligence or intentional acts of another, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Do you have questions or want to speak with a wrongful death attorney? Call us today at 561-981-8338 for a free case consultation.
What is Considered a Wrongful Death in Belle Glade, FL
In order to determine whether or not you have a case, it is crucial to understand what constitutes a wrongful death.
Generally speaking, wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the negligence of another person or entity. In order to bring a Belle Glade wrongful death claim, the following elements must be present:
- The death of a human being.
- Caused by the negligent or intentional act of another person or entity.
- The surviving family members suffer financial damages due to the death.
If these elements are present in your case, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. However, it is essential to note that these cases can be complex and challenging to prove. As such, you must consult an experienced Belle Glade wrongful death lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process and build a strong case on your behalf.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Survivors of deceased people who died as a result of a wrongful act or negligence file wrongful death lawsuits.
An award of damages is the only result of a wrongful death lawsuit, as opposed to a criminal case involving homicide charges like manslaughter or murder, in which a defendant could be convicted and sentenced to prison time.
You and your family will receive money from the responsible party if you win a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition to medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and emotional support, this amount can cover damages for medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income. Since we specialize in this area, we are regarded as one of Florida’s best wrongful death attorneys.
How A Belle Glade Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help
To help us determine what exactly happened at the time of an accident, we hire expert consultants to evaluate the evidence, and we take depositions of witnesses and involved parties, all of which combine to help us build a strong case that the responsible parties were at fault for the accident. Our firm also has the resources to handle the most complex cases and to fight for maximum compensation for our clients.
In a wrongful death case, however, damages are proven differently to a great extent than in a personal injury lawsuit.
Sometimes, there’s a medical question as to whether the accident directly caused a loved one’s death, but typically it’s pretty clear what happened. If necessary, we will retain experts to demonstrate that this person’s tragic death resulted from an accident rather than some preexisting condition.
However, much of what we do when trying to prove damages in wrongful death cases revolves around showing everyone who this individual was, who was taken suddenly and tragically – and we do this by talking to anyone and everyone who knew him or her. Those close to the person help us convey how much they meant to their friends and family – especially family members, friends, and coworkers.
Using statements, video, and photographs, we create a portrait that ultimately becomes a video about the person, who they were, and what they meant to the family we represent.
Damages Available for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Belle Glade
The Florida Wrongful Death Act requires that wrongful death lawsuits be filed by the decedent’s estate’s personal representative. The case is brought on behalf of the survivors, including the victim’s spouse, parent(s), child(ren), or other close family members who benefited from the victim’s support.
In a wrongful death case, compensatory damages are generally awarded to compensate for a victim’s losses, categorized as economic, non-economic, and punitive.
A Victim’s Losses
There is a legal basis for recovering losses and suffering from the moment of the accident until the moment of death. Some victims may sustain injuries that are not fatal until hours or weeks after the initial negligent act. As an example, if a drunk driving accident occurs, the victim may need emergency room treatment, surgery, hospital inpatient stays, lost wages, mental and physical suffering, and other injuries before succumbing to the accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages in a wrongful death case refer to costs that can be estimated or calculated. These typically include the victim’s lost income, bonuses, commissions, and benefits until their retirement date, which can add up to a sizeable amount for their family’s estate. Other reimbursable expenses may include the value of services the person could no longer provide, such as childcare or car repairs, medical bills from the accident, and funeral and burial costs paid out by the estate or a surviving family member.
Non-Economic Damages
The law recognizes the victims of the intangible harm their families may experience following a death, such as the loss of companionship, guidance, protection, emotional trauma, and a diminished quality of life. Particular consideration is given to spouses and children for whom the deceased’s love, emotional support, and companionship can no longer be provided. Parents who have lost a child are compensated for their mental and emotional suffering.
Punitive Damages
A survivor may be awarded punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party behaved recklessly or negligently. It is intended to punish the person responsible for the incident and prevent similar behavior in the future by determining the amount of these damages, which are decided by a jury.
Under Florida statute 768.73, there is no cap on medical malpractice punitive damages that can be awarded. However, for most other cases, punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever amount is greater.
Elements of a Belle Glade Wrongful Death Case
A loved one may have suffered grave injuries, triggering a personal injury claim, and then died due to those injuries, resulting in a wrongful death claim, or they may have died immediately because of someone else’s negligence. If the claim is to be successful, it must have the following elements:
- There was a loss of life
- Someone else’s actions led to the loss of that life
- The loss of the victim has harmed survivors
- The survivors have suffered monetary damages as a result of the death
An appointed personal representative will identify the survivors and any outstanding economic obligations left by the decedent, then initiate a wrongful death claim on behalf of the survivors.
Belle Glade Wrongful Death Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wrongful death claim?
A wrongful death claim is a legal action that seeks damages on behalf of the survivors of an individual whose death was caused by another party’s negligence or intentional wrong.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?
Any surviving spouse, parent(s), child(ren), or other close family members who have suffered financial loss due to the deceased person’s passing may pursue a wrongful death claim for the decedent.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
Under Florida Statute 95.11, you must commence your case within two years from the injury resulting in death. Otherwise, recovering damages may be highly unlikely. It is essential to contact a Belle Glade wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and ensure you meet the time constraints of filing a claim.
Speak With a Belle Glade Wrongful Death Attorney Near Me Today
If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, speak with a Belle Glade wrongful death lawyer to determine if compensation is possible. Shiner Law Group has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your rights and options. We will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation and justice you deserve.
You can contact us today for a 100% free case consultation. We will review your case and explain your legal options. If we believe in a valid claim, we will aggressively pursue it. Contact us today by calling (561) 981-8338 or filling out our free online case evaluation form below.
Belle Glade Wrongful Death Lawyer Review
Belle Glade Wrongful Death Law Office
Shiner Law Group
1200 S Main St Suite 102B
Belle Glade, FL 33430
