Tallahassee Wrongful Death Lawyer

Coping with the death of a loved one is a devastating process, and nothing can offset the pain of the loss. When a loved one has died because of someone else's wrongful actions, though, it may be appropriate for survivors to seek justice through a wrongful death claim and the Tallahassee wrongful death lawyer at Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. is here to help.

Contact Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. by calling (850) 629-7226 today to get started with our wrongful death attorney in Tallahassee.

A wrongful death claim is a suit that arises when a person dies as a result of the negligent or reckless conduct of another. A wrongful death claim allows the people surviving the victim to seek compensation for wages lost, benefits lost, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Wrongful death claims can be critical in helping survivors provide for their financial futures.

A wrongful death suit is different from other types of personal injury claims because the actual victim (the "decedent") is not bringing suit; rather, it is the family members or the decedent's estate.

The damages recovered do not include damages that are personal to the decedent, since the decedent is not allowed to recover for pain and suffering, mental distress, or any other form of compensatory damages unique to him or her. The purpose of a wrongful death suit is to provide relief to family members who have been injured emotionally and financially as a result of the family member's death. The plaintiff in a wrongful death action is the personal representative of the decedent. Fla. Stat. § 768.20.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Usually, immediate family like spouses and children file for wrongful death, as they are most affected by the loss of a family member and the financial support he or she provided. Parents often make these claims as well. In some cases, people in the extended family may also make a claim if they were economically impacted by the death. Our Tallahassee wrongful death attorney from Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. can help you determine who is entitled to file a claim for wrongful death.

The decedent's family can pursue compensation for some or all of the following:

• Loss of emotional support
• Loss of wages
• Medical bills
• Funeral expenses

Who Can Receive Compensation?

The personal representative does not need to have a connection with the events that caused the decedent's death. The decedent's negligence, however, will be imputed to the plaintiff, reducing or barring the plaintiff's recovery on behalf of the estate to the extent that the decedent's negligence was a proximate cause of his or her own death. Perdue v. Copeland, 220 So. 2d 617 (Fla. 1969).

If a survivor is found to be negligent, the non-negligent survivor's recovery cannot be reduced due to another survivor's negligence. Frazier v. Metropolitan Dade County, 701 So.2d 418, 420 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997).

We can help families who have been affected by a loved one's death caused by various circumstances, including:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall

Let Our Tallahassee Wrongful Death Lawyer Help You

If a loved one has died due to the negligence or recklessness of another, you may be entitled to compensation. You don't have to go through this alone, our wrongful death lawyers in Tallahassee are here to help!

Contact our Tallahassee wrongful death attorney at (850) 629-7226 today. Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. has the tools you need to succeed.