Wrongful Death Attorney
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Wrongful Death
While taking legal action may not be a priority for those who have lost a loved one, it is important for survivors of the decedent to consider retaining a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. In addition to the significant emotional trauma of having a loved one pass away, families may also face considerable financial difficulties without the support of the deceased. The compensation provided by a wrongful death lawsuit can help ease this financial burden. The wrongful death attorneys at Stathopoulos Law Group have a long history of recovering compensation that recognizes the value of the deceased, and helps the surviving family recover from their loss.
Wrongful death claims are civil actions made by the survivors of an individual who has passed away due to the negligence or misconduct of another. In these cases, the law allows the family members of the decedent (called “distributees”) to file a wrongful death suit seeking monetary damages. The wrongful death action is designed to provide compensation for relatives who depended upon the deceased for financial and/or emotional support.
Elements of a Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death occurs when negligence, recklessness, or deliberate behavior results in a fatality. Negligence refers to the failure of an individual to behave how a reasonably prudent person would have acted under similar circumstances. To establish that a wrongful death occurred, an attorney must prove that the individual had a duty of care to the deceased; that their act or omission breached that standard of care; that their wrongful actions were the proximate (direct) cause of the injury or death of the decedent; and that damages resulted.
- Car accidents
- Birth injuries
- Truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
The court will consider a number of factors when determining the amount of damages to be awarded to the survivors of the deceased. These factors include the relationship between the survivor and the deceased; the amount of the deceased’s net income available to the survivor; the replacement value of the deceased’s services; and the life expectancy of all parties.
At Stathopoulos Law Group, our attorneys understand the hardships a family faces after a wrongful death, and are dedicated to seeking fair compensation for these individuals. To learn more about your legal options following an unexpected death, please contact our Clearwater Florida wrongful death lawyers by filling out our free, no-obligation case review form. We're prepared to assist clients in Pasco County, Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, New Port Richey, Land O'Lakes, Odessa, Lutz, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa.