"Whether it's a whiplash, serious injury or wrongful death case, we pride ourselves on representing you with the personal service and aggressive representation that you expect and deserve!" -Attorney Ron Sholes​
Palatka Wrongful Death Attorney
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Putnam County
When others are careless, reckless, or negligent, they can cause serious accidents with devastating consequences. Sadly, negligent and wrongful conduct can—and often does—cause the deaths of innocent people. Surviving family members and loved ones are left to pick up the pieces, often without any guidance on how to proceed.
At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., our Palatka wrongful death attorneys understand that there is no legal remedy that can undo what you and your family have been through. We also know that a successful wrongful death claim can make all the difference in you being able to manage unexpected financial hardships arising from the loss of your loved one, allowing you the space you need to heal.
If your loved one was killed in an accident or died due to the negligent or wrongful conduct of another person or party, our firm is here to fight for the justice your loved one deserves. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact us online or by phone at (855) 933-3881 today to request a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney with a member of our team.
When Are You Allowed to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In Florida, a wrongful death claim can be filed with a person dies due to the negligent or wrongful (unlawful) actions or inactions of another person or party. The claim must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased individual’s (known as the “decedent”) estate, but it is brought on behalf of certain surviving family members, including the decedent’s spouse, child/children, parent(s), or any other relative who was dependent on the decedent.
You may be able to bring a wrongful death action if your family member’s death resulted from:
- A car accident
- A motorcycle crash
- A collision with a large truck
- Unsafe conditions on public or private property
- A bicycle or pedestrian accident
- A boating accident
This is not an exhaustive list; if you believe your loved one’s death could have been prevented had another person or party acted with reasonable care, reach out to our firm to learn more about filing a wrongful death claim.
Florida’s Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
As with other types of personal injury claims, wrongful death cases in Florida are subject to a specific statute of limitations. This means that you have a limited time in which you can file your claim; failure to bring your claim within the statute of limitations will almost always result in your case being dismissed.
The statute of limitations for most wrongful death claims in Florida is two years from the date of death. This timeframe may be longer or shorter, depending on several factors. In general, however, the sooner you file your claim, the better.
Why File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims are civil actions, meaning they are separate from any criminal proceedings that may occur after the death of your loved one. The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to compensate the decedent’s estate, as well as eligible surviving family members, for economic and non-economic losses endured due to the death.
These damages may include:
- Medical expenses related to the decedent’s final treatment/care
- Funeral and/or burial expenses
- Emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss of a child
- The value of services and/or support the decedent provided
- Loss of companionship, guidance, love, etc.
- Expected reasonable net accumulations to the decedent’s estate
If you have any questions about filing a wrongful death claim or need help starting the process, do not wait to reach out to our Palatka wrongful death lawyers for a free consultation. We offer legal services in Spanish, Russian, and German and do not collect any attorneys’ fees unless/until we secure compensation for you.
Fill out and submit an online contact form or call our office at (855) 933-3881 today to get started.