Tampa Wrongful Death Lawyer
If your loved one has died because of someone else’s misconduct, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. We hold wrongdoers accountable and will tirelessly pursue justice for your lost family member. You may receive substantial compensation for your financial and emotional losses. Call our devoted Tampa wrongful death lawyers today at (813) 358-0490 and learn how Farah & Farah can help you and your family.
As a family-centered law firm, we understand how important family is and how devastating it would be to lose a loved one because of someone else’s carelessness. While no amount of money could make up for your loss, a wrongful death claim can hold the wrongdoer accountable and help your family recover from the financial consequences of your loved one’s death.
Our experienced Tampa personal injury lawyers are passionate about helping those who need it most. We treat clients like family and win outstanding results through caring, understanding, and hard work.
Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Tampa, FL
Florida’s wrongful death laws require families to follow specific procedures when filing wrongful death claims, and this can be overwhelming when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Insurance companies are often eager to blame your loved one to skirt liability, forcing you to relive your loved one’s death repeatedly while trying to protect their reputation.
When you have our experienced team of attorneys on your side, you won’t have to figure out the legal system or deal with the insurance company. We’ll handle everything while treating you, your family, and your lost loved one’s memory with honesty, dignity, and respect. We have been protecting families since 1979 and recovered over $2 billion in compensation for injured individuals and grieving family members. Contact us today to schedule a free case review and let us go to work for you. You pay nothing unless we win.
What Our Clients Say
Our client-centric law firm puts clients first in everything we do. Our client testimonials reflect the hard work, skill, and genuine compassion we bring to every case.
“I am incredibly grateful to Attorney Apple and her team at Farah & Farah for their incredible help with my case. They were not only professional and knowledgeable but also genuinely caring and supportive throughout the entire process. Their expertise and attention to detail were impressive, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome. If you're looking for a great legal team, look no further than Farah & Farah! Highly recommended for their exceptional service and unwavering dedication.”
“I have to honestly say that my experience with Farah & Farah has been amazing. From the first day to the last, I was treated with kindness and respect. Whenever I needed something addressed, it was handled in a timely manner and with the best options for doctors, therapy, any other problem that may have been presented. I have seen how other law firms treat their clients, and they do not come close to Farah & Farah. If you are looking for a true team to represent you, there is only one true option, and that is the champion of law firms. With Farah & Farah, you can't lose.”
“Kaley has been working very hard on my husband and myself 's case. At this point, we are waiting for paperwork. I don't have to wonder what is going on because she keeps me updated. If I call, she picks up the phone and is very pleasant. If I ever need a lawyer in the future, I definitely would call Farah and Farah.”
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Tampa?
Although multiple family members may be eligible to recover compensation in a Tampa wrongful death case, the personal representative of the deceased is the only person who can file the wrongful death lawsuit. This is usually the person the deceased named executor in their will before death. If your loved one didn’t designate a personal representative, the court will appoint the person selected by the majority of the heirs or a qualified party who inherited real estate.
If there is no will, the court will appoint the closest qualified heir, which may be the following, in order of preference:
- The surviving spouse
- The person selected by the majority of the heirs
- The closest relative if there is no spouse
- The guardian of a minor or incompetent person who would be the most qualified if they were of age and competent
If no eligible heir petitions the court to be the personal representative, the court will appoint a capable person. Any competent Florida resident over 18 on the date of death may serve as a personal representative.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Florida?
A wrongful death occurs when someone’s carelessness, reckless conduct, or intentional bad acts cause an injury that leads to death. Our wrongful death attorneys in Tampa handle cases stemming from a variety of causes, including the following:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slips and falls
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Boating accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- And more.
If your loved one passed away because of any conduct that stems from carelessness or malice, your case may qualify. Contact us as soon as possible to start your claim.
Available Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
In a wrongful death claim, damages are awarded to the estate and surviving family members according to the estate’s financial losses and each family member’s relationship to the deceased. Wrongful death damages may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages compensate for the financial losses of the estate and family members. They include the following:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses of the deceased
- Loss of the deceased’s earnings from the date of injury until death
- Loss of projected value of the estate if affected by the death
- Loss of financial support for the affected survivors
Funeral expenses and medical expenses are awarded to the parties that paid them. Loss of estate value and lost earnings are paid to the estate, except for earnings awarded to family members for lost support. Punitive damages, if any, are paid to the estate.
Non-Economic Damages in Wrongful Death Claims
Under Florida Statute § 768.21:
“Each survivor may recover the value of lost support and services from the date of the decedent’s injury to her or his death, with interest, and future loss of support and services from the date of death and reduced to present value.”
Support and services are the natural emotional and financial benefits of each family member’s relationship with the lost loved one. The recoverable damages for each family member are shown below.
| Surviving Family Member | Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages |
|---|---|
| Spouse |
Loss of companionship Loss of protection Mental pain and suffering |
|
Minor Children Adult children if no surviving spouse |
Loss of parental companionship Loss of parental instruction Loss of parental guidance Mental pain and suffering |
|
Parents of Minor Children Parents of adult children if no surviving spouse or child |
Mental pain and suffering |
Florida does not allow adult children or parents of adult children to recover non-economic damages in wrongful death claims over medical malpractice.
However, adult children may be able to recover damages for their loved one’s pain and suffering from the date of injury until death.
Our Successful Record of Wrongful Death Settlements and Verdicts
We consistently recover the results our clients deserve through our client-centric approach. Our successful wrongful death case results include the following:
- $5 million recovery for the family of a motorcyclist who died when a driver ran a stoplight
- $2.7 million recovery for the family of a fisherman who died when his boat flipped and was sucked into a dam after the spill gates opened without warning
- $1.5 million recovery for the children of a woman killed by poorly maintained machinery at her workplace
- $1.3 million recovery for the family of a truck driver struck and killed by a semi on a loading dock
- $1.2 million recovery for the family of a passenger who died when he was ejected from a pickup that flipped
- $950,000 recovery after a couple was driven off the road by a careless driver, resulting in the husband’s death
- $250,000 settlement for the family of a bicyclist who died from traumatic brain injuries after a car hit him
How To Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim in Tampa
To prove a wrongful death claim in Tampa, you must prove that the death resulted from negligence, intentional misconduct, or a defective product. To prove negligence, you must establish the following elements:
- The defendant owed your loved one a duty of care.
- The defendant breached the duty of care.
- The breach of duty caused an injury leading to your loved one’s death.
- The injury would not have occurred but for the breach of duty.
- The breach of duty is the actual and proximate cause of the death.
The plaintiff bears the burden of proof in a wrongful death claim. The opposition and their insurer may try to shift blame for the accident to your loved one.
What Evidence Will I Need?
You’ll need hard evidence to prove the other party is at fault. Our attorneys will do the hard work of digging up the evidence so you can focus on what matters most. Evidence in a wrongful death claim may include expert witness testimony, a forensic accident report, eyewitness testimony, and video footage. You may need your loved one’s medical records and testimony from medical experts to connect the death to the incident.
You will also need evidence to prove what financial and emotional losses your family suffered because of the death. Relevant proof could include financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, and real estate records.
Gathering this evidence yourself can be complicated and overwhelming, but with our caring and resourceful Tampa wrongful death attorneys on your side, you can trust us to gather the evidence you need while you spend time with your family. We are dedicated to getting justice for grieving families, and we will stop at nothing to prove your claim and maximize your compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
“In Florida, you have two years to file a wrongful death claim. Now, it's important to start on the claim before the two years are closed. In some situations, you have to open an estate for the deceased person before you can file that claim, and that process takes time.”
If you don’t file the case on time, you could lose your right to recover compensation and get justice for your loved one’s death. Contact our experienced Florida wrongful death lawyers in Tampa today to protect your claim.
Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Tampa Are Ready To Go to Work for You
If you’ve recently lost a loved one because of someone else’s carelessness, our caring and understanding Tampa wrongful death lawyers are ready to go to work for you. We’ll treat you like our family and fight fervently for the compensation you deserve. We charge nothing upfront, and you only pay if we win. At Farah & Farah, we’re here for you and here for good.
Call us today at (813) 358-0490 to schedule your free case review.
Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Tampa, FL
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Tampa?
Available Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
How To Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim in Tampa
How Long Do I Have To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Tampa Are Ready To Go to Work for You
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
