When a life is cut short by wrongful death, the tragedy causes irreparable damage to the family of the person who was killed. You can expose the injustice and negligence that brought pain to you and your family by hiring a St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney from Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner. We stop at nothing to bring the cause of the wrongful death to light and get compensation for your family.
Throughout the legal process, we strive to ease your pain by providing you with personal and caring legal counsel. If necessary, we go to court to fight your case, leveraging our experience as civil trial lawyers to achieve the results you need. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our St. Petersburg lawyers.
Why Choose Us
Your wrongful death attorney will work directly with you and your family throughout your case. You will always be able to raise concerns and ask questions.
Our firm has represented Florida families in wrongful death claims for over 60 years. We have the skills and experience necessary to help you navigate the litigation process.
We charge a contingency fee for maximum affordability. You will not be charged legal fees unless we recover compensation in your case.
What Is a Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death occurs when the actions of a person or entity causes another person’s death. Under Florida law, a wrongful death can occur due to negligence, default, breach of contract or warranty, or another type of wrongful act. If your loved one could have filed a personal injury claim after the fatal accident, your family likely qualifies for wrongful death litigation. Common causes of wrongful deaths often include the following.
We understand the impact of a wrongful death on the family. Our personal injury lawyers in St. Petersburg will research the cause of your loved one’s death to determine the liable party. We seek to prove negligence, which allows us to gain compensation on your behalf. Bringing a lawsuit is understandably hard on the family. You may be forced to relive the moments immediately after your loved one’s death, or experience the following:
Depression
Emotional trauma
Loss of sleep
Financial duress
Insurance strain
We handle your case with respect and stay by your side every step of the way to keep you comfortable with our legal counsel. The personal attention and our accessibility help you to keep going during your difficult time.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida?
Because a deceased person is unable to file a claim by himself or herself, state laws usually dictate who has grounds to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on another person’s behalf. In many cases, surviving family members are eligible to file. However, Florida law specifies that the personal representative of the deceased’s estate is the only party who can file a wrongful death claim. A personal representative is usually named in the deceased’s will or estate plan. When filing a wrongful death claim, this individual is responsible for acting on behalf of the deceased’s family as well as his or her estate. If the deceased did not leave behind these documents or did not name a personal representative, the court may appoint one on his or her behalf.
The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If you are planning to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one, it is important to seek the help of an attorney as soon as possible. Most wrongful death lawsuits in Florida are subject to a law known as the statute of limitations. This rule sets a filing deadline for these claims. In Florida, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you fail to file within this two-year time period, the court will dismiss your case and prevent your family from recovering compensatory damages.
There are certain exceptions to the statute of limitations, but they are not always applicable. For example, if your loved one died due to murder or manslaughter, there is no filing deadline. You can file at any time following his or her death, even if the at-fault party has not been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime. To preserve justice for your loved one and identify your appropriate filing deadline, speak to a St. Petersburg wrongful death lawyer at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner as soon as possible.
Our St. Petersburg Attorneys Help Ease the Pain of Your Loss
At Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner, we have unique experience in trial law. Whether or not your case goes to court, our passionate lawyers work to get you compensation for your damages, such as:
Pain and suffering damages. The emotional trauma suffered after the death of a loved one is terrible. We obtain damages to compensate you for your suffering.
Claims of Beneficiaries. We will obtain compensation for children and family members who relied on your loved one for care and support.
Punitive damages. When someone is responsible for a wrongful death, it is important that they be held accountable. We make it our duty to ensure that this happens.
Consult With A St. Petersburg Wrongful Death Attorney Today
The St. Petersburg wrongful death lawyers at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner give you compassionate care after the death of your loved one. Contact our office today to learn more about how a fatal accident affecting your family can be assessed to help ease your pain. We offer free consultations, and we will come to you.
