Are you struggling with the sudden and tragic death of someone you love after a fatal accident in Palm Harbor, Florida? Call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers. Our compassionate and experienced Palm Harbor wrongful death lawyers are here to help you fight to recover the monetary award you need and deserve.
By choosing Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll benefit from the expertise of a Board Certified civil trial attorney and a team with more than 50 years of combined experience. We’ve won over $100 million in meaningful settlements and jury awards for injury victims and grieving families just like yours.
You don’t have to go through this difficult time on your own. Let our award-winning Florida trial attorneys lead your fight for compensation. Your first case evaluation is 100 percent free, so contact our Palm Harbor law office at (727) 787-2500 to learn more.
How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Fatal Accident in Palm Harbor, FL
Money won’t bring your family member back or erase the incredible pain you feel right now. However, it can take away the financial burden you and your family might experience in the weeks, months, and years to come. It can also help provide some closure and a sense of justice. The thing is, those responsible for your loved one’s death won’t just admit fault and cut you a check.
You’ll have to fight to get all of the money you deserve. That’s where our Palm Harbor personal injury lawyers can help. We have the resources and experience required to level the playing field and get the compensation you deserve.
Our top-rated law firm is ready to take on the entirety of your wrongful death lawsuit so that you have the best opportunity to maximize your financial award.
At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to concentrate on moving forward while we:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s fatal accident and death
- Gather evidence that can be used to support a claim for damages
- Coordinate our efforts with respected experts and specialists
- Give your loved one a voice and defend against tactics designed to shift fault and limit your payout
- Handle negotiations with the insurance company and/or other defendants
- Prepare to bring your case to trial in Pinellas County if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer
Our team will be there to help you make important decisions about the fate of your wrongful death claim – like whether you should accept a settlement or push forward and try for a better result.
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. There’s no cost to hire our Palm Harbor wrongful death attorneys unless we win your case. Call our legal team to discuss your case today.
What’s the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action?
Wrongful death and survival actions both arise from the same event: an avoidable death.
Under Florida law, either type of claim can exist:
- When one person’s death is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any person; and
- The victim would have had the right to file a claim if they’d survived.
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed on behalf of surviving family members and seek damages for them.
Survival actions are filed on behalf of the victim’s estate and seek damages that the victim would have been able to secure if they’d lived.
We Handle All Types of Wrongful Death Cases in Palm Harbor
Any tragic accident can potentially be fatal.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to represent clients who have experienced the unimaginable death of a family member as a result of fatal:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Accidents involving defective products
- Assaults and sexual assault
- Catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, burns, and spinal cord damage
Do not hesitate to reach out to our caring legal team if you’ve lost a family member in a fatal accident in Palm Harbor or surrounding towns in Pinellas County. We’re here to offer the guidance and support you need during this trying time.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Florida?
Under Florida state law, the personal representative of the victim’s estate is responsible for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
This person is either named by the decedent in their will or appointed by the court if the victim dies intestate (without a will). Typically, it’s a spouse, close family member, or trusted friend.
The lawsuit is filed on behalf of the decedent’s:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent(s)
Alternatively, the wrongful death claim can be filed on behalf of the victim’s estate.
What Damages Can Families Get in a Palm Harbor Wrongful Death Action?
One major difference between wrongful death lawsuits and other types of personal injury lawsuits involves the types of damages that can be awarded.
In Florida, surviving family members can win compensation for:
- The value of the decedent’s lost support and services
- Loss of companionship and protection of a spouse
- Loss of parental companionship, instruction, and guidance
- Mental pain and suffering associated with the death of a child
- Medical and funeral expenses paid prior to the victim’s death
If the victim survived their injuries for a period of time, the personal representative could also seek damages for their lost wages and earnings, pain and suffering, and loss of prospective net earnings. All of these damages are payable to the victim’s estate and are distributed to beneficiaries.
Is There a Deadline To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Palm Harbor, Florida?
The personal representative will have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal accident in Palm Harbor, Florida.
The two-year clock begins to run the date of the victim’s death. This may or may not be the same date as their fatal accident.
Once the statute of limitations runs, you’ll lose the opportunity to assert your rights and demand financial accountability for your family member’s tragic death. Don’t let that happen. Call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as you can after your loved one’s fatal accident. We can begin to investigate and prepare to file the necessary documents to preserve your financial award.
What Happens If the Decedent Gets Blamed for Their Fatal Palm Harbor Accident?
Victim-blaming tactics are all too common in personal injury disputes. Since Florida is a modified comparative fault state, damages in a lawsuit are adjusted when a victim shares responsibility for an accident in which they are injured or killed. However, a victim cannot receive compensation if their share of fault exceeds 50%.
So, at-fault parties and insurance companies tend to make claims that a victim shares responsibility for an accident in an effort to limit or eliminate their own liability.
The more fault a victim is assigned, the less money they’ll be able to recover in a personal injury claim for damages.
The same holds true in cases involving wrongful death. The difference is that the victim isn’t around to defend themselves. When you trust Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers with your wrongful death case, we’ll be ready for claims that your loved one caused their fatal accident or shares some of the blame.
We’ll work hard to give them a voice and fight back against (often baseless) claims to protect your financial award.
Arrange a Free Consultation With an Experienced Palm Harbor Wrongful Death Lawyer
Have you experienced the sudden and tragic death of a close family member because of a fatal accident in Palm Harbor, Florida? You may be entitled to compensation for their lost earnings and household support, as well as the suffering you’ve endured. The experienced Palm Harbor wrongful death attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue maximum compensation from responsible parties.
We’ve been fighting for clients in Palm Harbor and the greater Tampa Bay area for decades. When you turn to us for help with your wrongful death case, you’ll show insurers and negligent parties that you’re serious about winning your claim and getting every cent you deserve.
Benefit from 50+ years of combined experience and $100+ million won. Call our law office in Palm Harbor, FL to speak with a member of our team. Your initial case evaluation is 100 percent free, and we’re always here to take your call.
