Alachua County Wrongful Death Lawyer
Did someone else’s negligent acts cause your loved one’s death in Alachua County, FL? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the loss of your loved one’s company. An experienced Alachua County wrongful death lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A. can help you navigate the challenging legal process.
We’ve been advocating for injured clients across North Central Florida for decades. We’ve already recovered hundreds of millions in compensation–and we’re prepared to fight for your family.
Call our law offices in Alachua County, Florida, today to schedule a free consultation to learn more.
How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help With Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alachua County
Fighting over money might seem like a trivial thing when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one.
However, fighting for fair compensation is sometimes the only way to help your family get closure. It can also be the key to protecting your family’s financial future.
It might seem as though the insurance company is sympathetic to your loss. In reality, the insurance company’s primary goal is to find a way to pay your family less. Because the stakes tend to be higher in fatal accident cases, the insurance company is likely to fight to minimize their own liability.
An experienced Alachua County personal injury lawyer can handle the legal battle while your family grieves. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we have over 100 years of combined insurance and legal experience between us.
You can count on our attorneys to:
- Thoroughly investigate to find out what caused the accident
- Locate all responsible parties and insurance coverage
- Hire experts and specialists who can strengthen your accident claim
- Defend your loved one against any allegations that they shared in the blame for the accident
- Negotiate to recover the maximum compensation available in your case
It can be a challenge to get fair compensation in your pocket. You don’t have to handle the fight alone. Our Alachua County personal injury attorneys have the experience and financial resources to effectively guide you through the entire recovery process.
Are you interested in learning more? Give our legal team a quick call today to schedule a time to sit down and talk. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand how we can help fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Alachua County?
Wrongful death is the legal term for when someone’s negligence, wrongful acts, or breach of duty causes another person’s death.
Unfortunately, these cases aren’t at all uncommon in Florida. Statewide, 3,323 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2020. Over 45 of those fatalities were in Alachua County. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that over 300 more people died in fatal workplace accidents in 2019.
In most wrongful death cases, the defendant’s actions were unintentional. However, surviving family members are entitled to sue for damages in civil court if criminal charges are pending–and your rights don’t depend on the outcome of the defendant’s criminal case.
The figures above don’t even begin to account for the thousands of Floridians who lose their lives in serious slip and fall accidents every year.
What is My Alachua County Wrongful Death Case Worth?
The value of a wrongful death case has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. No two families will suffer precisely the same loss–and putting a dollar value on a life is always a difficult task.
However, several factors will be important in determining what your wrongful death case is worth, including:
- The victim’s age and life expectancy
- The victim’s income level and future earning potential
- The age and financial circumstances of surviving dependents
- The cost of medical bills incurred prior to death
- The victim’s education and training
- The value of any lost benefits, including retirement and health benefits
It’s not enough to merely approach the insurance company with a general estimate. We’ll look at receipts, tax returns, and other documentation to support your claim. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’ll also engage the help of respected experts and specialists who the insurance company will take seriously.
Our lawyers have over 100 years of insurance industry experience on our team. With our help, you’ll greatly increase your chance of recovering the maximum available compensation.
What Types of Damages Are Available in an Action for Wrongful Death?
Under Florida law, the victim’s personal representative files the lawsuit for wrongful death. While the personal representative files the wrongful death claim, it is the victim’s surviving family members who are ultimately entitled to damages.
Eligible family members include:
- Surviving spouses
- Children
- Parents
- Other blood relatives or adoptive siblings who are financially dependent on the victim
- Certain children born out of wedlock
Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, the types of available damages can depend upon who survives the victim.
You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Loss of financial support and services from the date of injury to the date of death
- Medical bills from the date of injury to the date of death
- Loss of future support and services, reduced to present value
- Loss of companionship and protection
- Loss of parental guidance and support
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of prospective net accumulations (loss of inheritance and estate planning)
- Loss of consortium
The victim’s estate is also entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses and funeral costs if the estate paid those expenses.
Can I Recover Damages If My Loved One is Being Blamed for a Fatal Accident in Florida?
Accidents can be messy. In real life, it’s possible that multiple people contributed to the cause of an accident. Under the modified comparative fault law in Florida, a person who was killed in an accident can be held liable for their share of the blame.
However, you don’t necessarily lose your right to compensation entirely. You can still hold others accountable for their role in the accident.
In general, the system works something like this:
- All responsible parties are assigned a percentage of fault, based on the available evidence
- Your compensation award can be reduced in proportion to your loved one’s percentage of fault for their fatal accident
- If your loved one is assigned 51% or more of the blame, you cannot recover compensation
A personal injury lawyer can help if your loved one is being blamed for an accident. You probably don’t know exactly what happened to cause your loved one’s death. Our lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. have the resources to find out whether the insurance company’s allegations are justified.
Don’t accept a lowball settlement just because the insurance company tries to scare you. Call an experienced Alachua County wrongful death attorney who can fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Alachua County, Florida?
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we handle all types of wrongful death cases in Alachua County, including those involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber accidents
- Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Assault and violence
If someone you love was killed in Alachua County, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal advice. We’d be happy to sit down and discuss your legal options in detail.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Fatal Accident in Florida?
To prove negligence that caused a wrongful death in the state of Floria, there are a few steps to have to do to be entitled to the damages for the death.
Under Florida law, you’ll have to prove that:
- Someone else’s acts caused your loved one’s death
- Your loved one would have been eligible to pursue a Florida personal injury lawsuit if they had survived
- Your family suffered damages
Most wrongful death lawsuits are based on negligence.
That requires proving the four legal elements of a negligence claim, which are:
- The defendant owed your loved one a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breach caused your loved one’s injuries and death
- An eligible family member suffered damages
Our experienced attorneys know how to investigate to locate the evidence you need after the fact. If you suspect you may have a case, call our firm in Gainesville, FL, to schedule a free case review today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Wrongful Death in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations gives you two years to file a wrongful lawsuit. If you wait too long, you risk losing your right to compensation.
You can get started today by calling our personal injury law firm for a free case review. We’ll sit down and evaluate your case so you can rest assured you aren’t leaving much-needed compensation on the table.
Contact an Alachua County Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we have decades of experience standing up for families who have lost loved ones to tragedy. Our legal team is here to help your family, as well. If you recently lost a family member, call to schedule a free consultation with an Alachua County wrongful death lawyer today.
