Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
A Lakeland wrongful death attorney can help you hold the person responsible for the death of your loved one financially accountable.
At a time when you should be mourning your loss, you won’t be able to do so properly if you are burdened by the financial worry that comes with losing the person who primarily supported your family. No one should have his or her grieving interrupted by troublesome financial worries, particularly when someone else’s negligence put your family in this position in the first place.
In Florida, the average funeral costs about $6,500, and that price is rising. If you or your loved one passes away with no plans to pay for final expenses, family members may be left figuring out how to cover rising funeral costs.
The path to securing the compensation you’re entitled to may include bringing a wrongful death claim against the person or people responsible for the death of your loved one. Reach out to an experienced and caring Lakeland wrongful death lawyer at Lopez & Humphries, PA to learn more about how we can help you and your family move forward.
Seeking Compensation for a Wrongful Death in Lakeland
A death will be considered “wrongful” if the choices or decisions of another individual have directly caused it. This could be intentional or unintentional and is very different from a criminal case, in which charges are filed and could result in jail time. A Lakeland wrongful death claim is a civil suit in which we are seeking compensation on behalf of the deceased to benefit his or her loved ones.
In Florida, the spouse, children, and parents of the person who has passed are entitled to benefit from a wrongful death suit. In addition, any blood relatives of the deceased who relied heavily on his or her income and support can also benefit.
However, Florida law requires the representative of the deceased person’s estate to actually file the claim, listing any and all surviving family members who might be interested in receiving compensation. You will not be able to financially benefit from a Lakeland wrongful death lawsuit if you are not a blood relative or spouse of the deceased or do not have any financial dependence on his or her income.
For unmarried parents who have lost a child, the mother will be able to file a wrongful death claim and receive benefits accordingly, but the father will need to establish that he acknowledged the child was his prior to the child’s passing and that he provided support for the child as he or she grew up.
What Wrongful Death Benefits Cover
When your wrongful death lawyer in Lakeland is seeking compensation on your behalf, you need to understand that benefits will only be paid for certain damages. To begin, you can expect to have the costs of the memorial service and burial covered if your claim is successful. You’ll also be able to recover the costs of any medical bills the deceased incurred before he or she passed.
In addition, you’ll be entitled to the wages the decedent would have been able to collect if he or she had lived. This loss of earning potential could include bonuses, salary raises, and even contributions he or she would have made to any retirement funds.
Family members can seek damages for the pain and suffering they’ve endured for the loss of their loved one, as well as loss of consortium for no longer being able to enjoy and participate in activities as a family. Surviving family members may also seek compensation for the loss of household help with maintenance and care of the home and any children.
Filing Your Lakeland Wrongful Death Claim on Time
It is critically important to note that the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Florida is only two years from the date of the deceased’s death or from the time that it was discovered that the liable party was, in fact, responsible for the death. If you fail to bring a claim forward within this two-year time frame, you will likely lose your opportunity to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Your wrongful death attorney in Lakeland can help you gather evidence and build a strong case with plenty of time to spare before the statute of limitations is up.
Speak with a Lakeland Wrongful Death Attorney
When the death of a loved one is the direct result of the careless behavior or decisions of another person, you are entitled to seek compensation from the liable party for his or her negligence. When you’re ready to hold the at-fault party responsible for his or her actions by filing a lawsuit, contact an experienced lawyer with Lopez & Humphries, PA.
We’re ready to schedule your free case evaluation with a Lakeland wrongful death lawyer. Just give us a call at (863) 774-3573 or fill out the quick contact form at the bottom of this page.
Citations
How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Florida? Memorial Planning
https://www.memorialplanning.com/blog/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost-in-florida
“Decedent’s Personal Representative Must Bring Action for Benefit of Survivors and Estate in Wrongful Death Cases”
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.20.html
