Losing a loved one is a very painful and emotional experience, especially if someone else was responsible for your loved one’s passing. In these situations, you could hold the at-fault party accountable through a wrongful death lawsuit—and the attorneys at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner can help. Our Tampa wrongful death lawyers can help seek justice for your loved one and guide you and your family through the litigation process.
Why Choose Us
Our Tampa personal injury attorneys will work directly with you throughout your case and will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Our firm is dedicated to achieving the results that your family deserves. Our wrongful death lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
We understand how difficult it can be to navigate the aftermath of a loved one’s death. Our firm will handle all aspects of your claim on your behalf so your family can focus on healing.
The Definition of Wrongful Death
Under Florida Statute 768.19, a wrongful death occurs when another person’s wrongful act, negligent, default, or breach of contract or warranty leads to another person’s passing. If the deceased had survived the incident, he or she would likely have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit or another type of legal action against the at-fault party.
At Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner, our Tampa car accident attorneys handle multiple types of wrongful death claims involving different accidents, including the following:
In most states, certain people are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased person. While some states require a spouse or other relative to represent the deceased in the lawsuit, Florida law requires the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate to file. The personal representative acts on behalf of the deceased person’s surviving family members as well as the estate.
Your loved one will have likely named a personal representative in his or her will or estate plan. If your loved one did not name a personal representative or did not leave these documents behind, the court can appoint a personal representative on his or her behalf.
Damages Available in Tampa Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Through a wrongful death lawsuit, the at-fault party will be liable for damages to compensate for the deceased person’s passing. There are two types of potential damages in wrongful death claims: damages awarded to the deceased’s estate, and damages awarded to the deceased’s family.
Damages available to surviving family members in wrongful death claims include the following.
Emotional pain and suffering
Medical expenses paid by family members
Loss of companionship and protection
Loss of support and services
Damages awarded to the deceased’s estate include the following.
Medical expenses paid by the estate
Funeral and burial expenses
Earnings and benefits that the deceased would have earned if he or she lived
Lost wages, benefits, and other compensation between the final injury and death
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. The Tampa wrongful death attorneys at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner can help you seek justice. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
