Clearwater Wrongful Death Lawyer

Looking for a Lawyer for a Wrongful Death Case in Clearwater?

There are few experiences in life more poignant, defining, and difficult than losing a loved one. When the untimely passing of your loved one was caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another, our firm understands that feelings of grief may be intensified and complicated by the desire to obtain justice. Fortunately, Florida law allows certain eligible family members to pursue civil legal actions against the individual or entity responsible for the death of another. By filing a wrongful death claim with the assistance of our compassionate Clearwater injury lawyers, you can achieve justice, recover compensation for your losses, and focus on your future with a positive foundation.

Florida Wrongful Death Act

Title XLV §768.16 - 768.26 of the Florida Statutes outlines what is known as the Florida Wrongful Death Act. According to the statute, wrongful death claims can be brought by surviving relatives when the death of their family member is caused by another's wrongful act, negligence, or breach of duty. Surviving relatives may include a decedent's spouse, children, parents, and any dependent blood relatives or adoptive siblings. When courts rule in favor of a decedent's survivors, compensation can be awarded as follows:

Economic Damages
Victims can recover financial damages directly resulting from the death of their loved one. These damages can include any medical expenses, funeral expenses and the loss of future financial support a decedent would have provided had they lived. When evaluating the value of lost financial support, courts will take into consideration the surviving relatives' relationships to the decedent, the decedent's projected and probable net income, and their life expectancy, among other factors. At Cope, Zebro & Crawford, P.L., we employ experts to establish these damages.

Non-Economic Damages
The death of a loved one also creates substantial emotional injuries for which family members can recover compensation. These non-economic damages can include grief and mental anguish, as well as loss of companionship and guidance. Although these damages are intangible, elusive to measurement, and difficult to equate in monetary sums, monetary compensation is the only tool Florida courts have left for survivors to obtain justice. We know that no amount of money can ever compensate you for the loss of your loved one, but we remain intent on recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Punitive Damages
For certain cases and / or injuries, courts may also award families additional compensation in the form of punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed primarily as a way to further punish wrongdoers (defendants) for egregious acts of negligence or misconduct. Wrongful death cases that involve drunk driving accidents, for instance, commonly award these types of exemplary damages. With a former prosecutor on our legal team, we are fully prepared to maximize compensation by pursuing punitive damages, if and when possible.

Discuss Your Rights with a Clearwater Personal Injury Attorney

Our legal team has been by the side of many families as they endured the emotional and legal turbulence that wrongful death cases create. While our extensive experience and legal prowess proved invaluable in securing swift resolutions and full compensation on their behalf, it was our keenly tuned sense of care and concern that provided our clients with positive experiences and hopes for a brighter future, even in times as dark as these.

Our Clearwater wrongful death lawyers are confident that we can see local residents through the wrongful death claim process, and we are absolutely certain that should anyone in need come to our firm for help, passionate legal minds will be here to fight on your behalf. Contact Cope, Zebro & Crawford at our office in Clearwater to learn more about the ways in which we can help.