Dedicated Lawyers Hold Negligent and Reckless Parties Accountable to the Families of Wrongful Death Victims in Palm Beach County
Losing a loved one is already a difficult experience for any family. When a loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions, it can make your loss feel all the more heartbreaking. Of course, losing a loved one can also have practical ramifications on your family, especially if your household has lost a source of income. In any event, you and your family deserve to hold those responsible for your loved one’s passing accountable, and to receive some measure of justice for you and your loved one. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our Delray Beach wrongful death lawyers know how difficult the loss of a loved one can be.
That is why we work hard to ensure that you don’t have to deal with the stress and trauma that pursuing compensation and justice through the legal system from those responsible for your loved one’s passing can bring for you and your family. Although no amount of money can bring your loved one back, that doesn’t stop our firm from aggressively pursuing maximum financial compensation on behalf of your loved one and your family.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about how our Delray beach wrongful death lawyers will advocate for your and your family’s rights.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Delray Beach
In Florida, there are specific rules that govern filing a wrongful death claim. Although you and your family may contact our firm about pursuing a wrongful death claim after you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, under Florida law only the personal representative of your loved one’s estate (usually the executor or administrator of the estate) may legally file the wrongful death claim.
The personal representative files a wrongful death claim on behalf of those who are entitled to recover damages in the claim. Family members who may be entitled to collect damages in a wrongful death case in Florida include:
- The surviving spouse of the deceased individual
- Surviving children
- Surviving parents
- Any blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were dependent upon the deceased individual for financial support or services
Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. Fights to Help Families Obtain Justice and Compensation after Losing a Loved One to Someone Else’s Carelessness in Delray Beach
Our attorneys understand how important it is to fight for a full financial recovery in a wrongful death claim, so that you and your family not only don’t have to deal with the financial strain caused by losing a family member, but also so that you and your family can obtain some measure of justice and closure following your loss. That is why our attorneys aggressively pursue maximum compensation for all the damages you can recover in a wrongful death claim in Florida, including for:
- The value of the financial support and household services that your loved one provided to you and the other members of your family or household
- The loss of your loved one’s companionship, guidance, protection, and society
- Your pain and suffering
In addition, we can also help your loved one’s estate recover damages that it is entitled to in a survival action, which is the legal claim that your loved one could have brought had he or she lived. These damages can include:
- Medical expenses arising from your loved one’s last injury or illness
- Conscious pain and suffering experienced before death
- Lost wages, benefits, or other earnings your loved one reasonably would have been entitled to if he or she had lived
Although the compensation you and your family may be entitled to may vary, especially depending on whether your loved one was a primary source of income for your family, our attorneys will fight to ensure that your loved one’s passing does not go unrecognized and that those responsible for his or her death are held accountable.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Wrongful Death Attorney at Gonzalez & Cartwright Today
When your family has had a loved one who has passed away due to the wrongful actions or omissions of another party, you deserve to seek compensation and justice for your loved one and your family’s loss. Contact Gonzalez & Cartwright today for a no-cost legal consultation to go over your rights and options and to learn more about how our Delray Beach personal injury attorneys will fight to hold at-fault parties accountable and get you and your family the financial recovery you need and deserve.
About Delray Beach, FL
Delray Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida. Present-day Delray Beach began as a tract of land purchased by Michigan congressman William Linton, who hoped to establish a farming community. Although the community began to grow when Henry Flager’s Florida East Coast Railroad established a station in the then-named Linton, after a series of hard winter freezes damaged crops, the community sought to turn its reputation around by renaming itself Delray, from the Spanish phrase “del rey”, or “of the king”. Delray Beach experienced significant growth in the early 20th century with many Hollywood actors, artists, and writers making the city a winter home.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wrongful Death in Delray Beach
In Florida, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s passing in which to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. This two-year period might be extended if, for example, you did not know the identity of the person who was at fault for your loved one’s passing. If you don’t file your lawsuit before the expiration of the statute of limitations in your case, the court can permanently dismiss your lawsuit.
Potentially yes. Punitive damages may be awarded when conduct that led to injury and compensatory damages is found to be particularly egregious. Usually, this means that the wrongful conduct that led to your loved one’s death was intentional — the at-fault party intended to kill your loved one — or reckless — the at-fault party consciously disregarded a substantial risk that his/her/its actions would cause your loved one’s death.