Tampa Wrongful Death Attorneys
Have you lost a close family member because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing in Tampa? No amount of money can bring them back, but you may obtain compensation from those responsible for your loss.
By filing and successfully navigating a wrongful death claim, you could obtain the compensation you need for burial expenses and funeral costs, medical expenses, and other related costs, which can include the loss of income the person provided to your family. However, you will need an attorney for help because of the complex process of obtaining wrongful death compensation.
The Tampa wrongful death attorneys at Apex Law have more than 20 years serving clients throughout the greater Tampa Metro and surrounding areas. We have helped many people recover the damages they suffered because of another party’s negligent, careless, or reckless actions, and we promise to fight hard to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 for a free consultation.
How Apex Law Can Help With Your Tampa Wrongful Death Claim
Attorneys Jeff Constantinos and Chris Castillo founded Apex Law to deliver the highest level of representation to injured clients throughout Tampa. Throughout our history, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
You can rely on us for personalized counsel and aggressive advocacy that gets results.
Some items to consider about our law firm:
- We listen. We will take the time to fully discuss your needs so we understand your goals and objectives. We can help you tell your story and provide a means for insurance companies, the at-fault party, a judge, or jury to hear your voice.
- We take action. Our attorneys will take an active interest in your case and work to build the strongest claim possible.
- We offer a win-win solution. If you worry about how much a wrongful death attorney will cost, rest assured we offer free consultations, and we work on contingency so you won’t pay us anything upfront to represent you.
- We win big. Our lawyers will fight to get every penny you deserve to realize the fullest recovery possible. We have secured many multi-million-dollar awards for our clients, and will take your case to trial if necessary to get you the full compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys have received numerous five-star reviews and powerful testimonials from our clients for our remarkable client service. We have also received dozens of awards and honors from our peers for our professionalism and legal abilities. Contact Apex Law today for a free consultation on how we can help you through this difficult and emotional time in your life and hold the other party accountable for taking the life of your loved one.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death refers to the death another person or entity causes through their negligence, misconduct, or wrongful act of another person or entity. It is a civil action typically brought by the surviving family members or the estate of the deceased person against the party believed to cause the death.
To establish a wrongful death claim, you need to prove:
- Duty of care: You must show the defendant owed a legal duty of care to the deceased person. For example, a driver must operate their vehicle safely and responsibly.
- Breach of duty: You must demonstrate that the responsible party breached their duty of care through their negligent or wrongful actions. This could involve reckless driving, medical malpractice, or unsafe working conditions.
- Causation: You must establish a direct link between the breach of duty—the negligent or wrongful actions—and the person’s demise.
- Damages: You must have suffered measurable damages because of the death. These damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and emotional distress.
If you successfully prove the other party caused your family member’s death, the insurance company or the court may award financial compensation to cover your expenses and losses.
You need an attorney to assist you with your claim from the start to increase your chances of success. Call us and let Apex Law serve as your Tampa wrongful death lawyers.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida?
In Florida, only the personal representative of the decedent’s estate may file a wrongful death claim. The decedent may name the personal representative in their will. The court will appoint a representative if the decedent had no will.
Although the personal representative must file the claim, certain beneficiaries of the victim’s estate may receive the compensation.
They are:
- The decedent’s spouse. The surviving spouse of the deceased person may recover compensation from a wrongful death claim.
- Children. If the deceased person had any surviving adult children, they can recover compensation from a wrongful death claim.
- Parents. If the decedent was a minor child, the parents can recover compensation from a wrongful death claim. If the deceased person was an adult with no surviving spouse or children, the parents may also recover compensation from a claim.
- Other dependent relatives. In certain circumstances, blood relatives or adoptive siblings who partly or wholly depended on the deceased person for support or services may recover compensation from a wrongful death claim.
The right to compensation for a wrongful death claim in Florida can involve many specific rules and complex requirements, consult our experienced Tampa wrongful death attorneys. We can explain your rights and obligations under the law.
What Compensation Can I Receive for a Wrongful Death Claim?
You can recover various forms of compensation for your wrongful death claim, depending on the nature and circumstances of the events that caused the fatality.
Some compensation you may receive include:
- Economic damages. These damages compensate for the financial losses suffered by the surviving family members because of the death. Economic damages can include:
- Loss of financial support. Compensation for the lost income that the deceased would have provided to their dependents.
- Loss of services. Compensation for the value of the household services, such as childcare or household maintenance, that the deceased would have provided.
- Medical and funeral expenses. Reimbursement for reasonable medical and funeral expenses incurred because of the death.
- Non-economic damages. These damages compensate for the non-financial losses and the emotional impact caused by the wrongful death. Non-economic damages can include:
- Loss of companionship and consortium. Compensation for the loss of love, emotional support, and companionship resulting from the death of a spouse or parent.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for the emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain experienced by the surviving family members due to the loss of their loved one.
- Loss of guidance and nurturing. Compensation for the loss of guidance, care, and nurturing that a deceased parent would have provided to their children.
- Punitive damages. In some cases, the court may award punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior. However, the availability and limits on punitive damages can vary, and your attorney can advise you whether you could qualify for punitive damages if you take your case to court.
Florida allows you only two years from the death of your loved one to file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. Your attorney will need to gather a lot of evidence and information to support your claim, so you have no time to lose in contacting an attorney and getting started.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you lost a close family member because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you could hold the other party accountable and recover the compensation you need through a wrongful death claim. Because of the complex and challenging process, you need an attorney to represent you.
The Tampa wrongful death lawyers at Apex Law have decades of experience helping families in need. We will review your case for free and advise you of your options at no cost. We will also thoroughly investigate the matter to determine all parties who bear responsibility for your loved one’s death, and we will fight tirelessly to help you get the justice and maximum compensation you deserve to move on from this preventable tragedy.
Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 to request a free consultation.
