Losing a loved one before their natural time is an indescribable tragedy, and if your family is currently dealing with this kind of loss, you unfortunately know that better than anyone. In this uncertain time, you may have legal options at your disposal if you believe that someone else’s irresponsible or illegal act was the primary cause of your family member’s death—not just in criminal court, but in civil court as well.
You need a compassionate personal injury attorney who is ready to fight tenaciously for your family’s best interests and available to assist you through each step of the legal proceedings. Even if you just have questions about what possibilities you have and what the best course of action might be in your unique circumstances, a Tarpon Springs wrongful death lawyer from LMD Injury Lawyers could provide the answers and information you need to make the right choice for your family.
It can be helpful to think of a wrongful death lawsuit as the legal right someone would have had to sue over a personal injury if they had not died from that injury. The immediate family member of someone who passes away because of a third party’s negligence, professional malpractice, or intentional criminal act has the right to seek compensation.
It is worth mentioning that if someone is criminally charged over their role in another person’s premature death, those charges would have no direct bearing on the outcome of a related civil lawsuit for monetary damages. In fact, as a Tarpon Springs wrongful death attorney could further explain, civil claims actually have a less strict standard of proof for the plaintiffs compared to the standard prosecutors must meet to obtain a criminal conviction. Therefore, it is not uncommon for someone to be found civilly liable for a wrongful death even if the court does not convict them of any criminal wrongdoing.
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(e), you generally have a maximum of two years from your immediate family member’s date of death to file suit for damages stemming from that wrongful death. This may include, but is not strictly restricted to:
If your family member passed away from an act of murder or manslaughter committed by a third party, there is no statutory filing deadline for a wrongful death lawsuit based on that particular death. This is the case even if your prospective defendant has not yet been convicted, charged, or even arrested for their crime. A wrongful death lawyer in Tarpon Springs could go into further detail during a private initial meeting about the deadlines applicable in your specific situation.
No one deserves to have their life cut short through a preventable accident or criminal act, and no amount of money can completely erase the pain and trauma that such an immense loss can cause. However, with support from capable legal counsel, you could still protect your family’s long-term financial security and personal wellbeing by seeking restitution for specific forms of harm you experience because of your loved one’s death.
A Tarpon Springs wrongful death lawyer from our team could provide the tailored guidance you need to obtain the best possible outcome from your lawsuit or settlement demand. Call LMD Injury Lawyers today for a confidential consultation.
(727) 849-5353