Any unexpected death is painful to those who are left behind, but deaths resulting from another person’s negligence are especially tragic. While seeking compensation for their loss may be the last thing on a grieving person’s mind, the reality is that many families who suffer this type of tragic loss are forced to struggle with mounting medical debt incurred during the victim’s final days, funeral and burial costs, as well as household expenses. These burdens can be crippling for a family in mourning, especially if the deceased was a significant financial contributor to the household.

For these reasons, those who lose loved ones in accidents caused by another person’s carelessness, should consider filing a wrongful death claim, which can help them pay off these bills and focus on the grieving process. Wrongful death claims hold a negligent party accountable for causing the death of a relative by a wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract of another person or entity. Essentially, if a person could have filed a personal injury claim against the at-fault party if he or she had survived, then that individual’s family members can file a wrongful death claim on that person’s behalf. Unfortunately, filing a wrongful death claim can be difficult, as only certain family members are allowed to actually file suit on a decedent’s behalf, so if you believe that you may have a standing to file a wrongful death claim, it is critical to speak with a dedicated and compassionate attorney who can ensure that your claim is not dismissed for a failure to comply with Florida law.