Wrongful Death Attorneys

Family represented by Ward & Barnes, P.A., Attorneys at Law grieves after wrongful death of loved one
When a family loses a loved one due to the negligence of another. The emotional and financial toll of wrongful death can be devastating for parents, children and spouses.

On this page, we define wrongful death and walk you through everything you need to know about filing a wrongful death claim in Florida. We will help you understand who can file a wrongful death claim, who is held responsible, when to file and what damages you can claim. If you or a loved one has recently lost a family member due to negligence. This page will help give you some direction. We want you to be informed and feel empowered during this trying time.

What is a Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a life is lost due to negligence or a wrongful act by a person or some other entity. This can take many forms but some are more common than others. The more common are automobile accidents due to negligence, medical malpractice, defective products, and asbestos exposure.

Beyond the immediate cost of healthcare and funerals, there are a number of challenges you may be facing in the wake of losing your loved one. Perhaps the deep emotional injuries caused by their passing leaved you feeling overwhelmed and confused. Maybe the long-term loss of income leaves you struggling to make ends meet. Whatever situation you are dealing with, Ward & Barnes can help.

At Ward & Barnes, our experienced attorneys handle all types of wrongful death claims. We can help to give you the peace you deserve. Did you lose a loved one in an automobile, trucking or motorcycle accident due to a negligent driver? Was a family member of yours lost through a tragic case of medical malpractice involving doctors or healthcare workers? Did a defective product or exposure to asbestos take your loved one from you? If so, we will fight for fair compensation in your wrongful death claim. At Ward & Barnes, we are on your side and ready to help you every step of the way.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

The death of a loved one can emotionally and financially impact any number of family members. But Florida law is very specific in who has the right to recover those damages. Generally, any member of a family may recover from the economic losses caused by the death, such as funeral expenses, medical expenses or lost economic support.

However, only certain family members can claim damages for their emotional losses and pain and suffering. This is dependent on a variety of factors but generally, the surviving spouse and minor children can claim these losses. The parents of a minor child can claim these emotional losses as well. In certain situations, the surviving parents of an adult child can claim emotional losses.

What About Emotional Losses?

Likewise, sometimes the adult children of a deceased parent can claim emotional losses. The analysis of who can claim what damages under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act is complicated and is highly dependent on the specific family situation.

There are often a lot of factors to consider so it is always best to seek professional help before filing a claim. At Ward & Barnes, our attorneys understand how to navigate this complicated legal landscape. We can help to pursue damages for the victims of a wrongful death. We will take the time to understand your unique family situation and provide comprehensive services. You deserve a firm that cares and will seek justice for your loved one.

When to File a Wrongful Death Claim

In the State of Florida, the statute of limitations is two years. That means you have two years after the day of your loved ones’ passing to file a wrongful death claim. If you file outside of the two-year time frame, you risk your opportunity for a wrongful death claim. After that you may not be able to receive compensation. It is important to start thinking about filing a claim and getting help as soon as possible.

At Ward & Barnes, we understand that this can be a daunting process and our skilled attorneys are ready to help. We will be by your side every step of the way and make sure your claim is received and reviewed in a timely manner.

Who is Responsible?

You may be wondering what happens to the person or entity who caused the wrongful death of your loved one due to their negligence. Unlike criminal cases, wrongful death claims do not result in incarcerating the responsible person. Instead, our wrongful death attorneys pursue justice in a civil case for the family left behind. Florida’s complex system governing wrongful death claims creates avenues for families to pursue damages from the person or organization that is responsible.

Our team will help you navigate the court systems and identify the right person or organization to hold responsible. We will aid you in getting the compensation you deserve.

Contact the Wrongful Death Attorneys at Ward & Barnes, P.A.

What Compensation Can You Recieve?

In Florida, there are a number of damages you can receive from a wrongful death claim. You may initially think of only the economic losses like funeral expenses, medical expenses, and loss of income and work wages. Many people are surprised to learn that there are many more damages you can receive such as loss of future earnings, loss of benefits, loss of inheritance, and general damages.

Additionally, there are a number of non-economic damages caused by the wrongful death of your loved one that you may be eligible for. These include mental and emotional suffering, loss of companionship, loss of protection and loss of guidance.

When you choose Ward & Barnes in Pensacola to represent your wrongful death claim, our personal injury attorneys work to help you. They can assist in recovering economic and non-economic losses caused by the wrongful death in your family. We will help you identify what you can qualify for and make a case to get you the compensation you deserve.

While we cannot bring back your loved one, we can help you find peace and stability again through quality court action. Our skilled attorneys will be with you every step of the way as you navigate this potentially confusing and stressful time.

Caring Representation in Wrongful Death Claims

There is a lot to consider after the unexpected passing of a loved one. Filing a wrongful death claim is one way to regain a measure of stability. As we’ve covered in this article, there are numerous aspects to think about before you file. You need to know who can file and what damages they may claim. Who to file against and how Florida courts process claims. Your claim must be submitted within the statute of limitations to be considered. Finally, you need to be familiar with all of the damages you can claim so that you receive the maximum compensation.

Losing a family member due to wrongful death is one of the toughest experiences a family can face. Extreme emotional damages and unfair economic injuries can devastate families and cause life-altering hardships.

Ward & Barnes knows this is a sensitive time for all involved. We want to help. Ward & Barnes is able to provide the resources of a large firm combined with the one-on-one personal services of smaller firms. We will help you navigate the oftentimes confusing court system. Our attorneys are focused on getting justice for you and your family and getting compensation for your loss.

Contact the Wrongful Death Attorneys at Ward & Barnes, P.A.