Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Compassionate Legal Representation for Wrongful Death Cases

Losing a loved one is always devastating. When it happens unexpectedly because of another person’s negligence, it adds another level of pain, grief, and confusion. If your loved one passed away in an accident, you may have grounds to hold the responsible party accountable for what happened. A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer from our firm can manage your case on your behalf to give you the space to mourn this tragic loss.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases, no matter how complex. We are dedicated to helping our clients through hardship, turbulence, and uncertainty. We are ready to serve you and your family. Get in touch with Rosenberg & Rosenberg today. The first call is free of charge.

Contact Our Firm

    Let Us Seek Justice for Your Family

    If your loved one passed away in an accident, you may have grounds to hold the responsible party accountable for what happened. A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer from our firm can manage your case on your behalf to give you the space to mourn this tragic loss.

    Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases, no matter how complex. We are dedicated to helping our clients through hardship, turbulence, and uncertainty, and we are ready to serve you and your family as soon as possible. Get in touch with Rosenberg & Rosenberg today. The first call is free of charge.

    The Benefits of Hiring Our Legal Team

    Our team has been assisting the families of fatal accident victims for more than 50 years. In that time, we have secured millions of dollars in financial recovery. When one of our attorneys takes your case, we will give you the attention you deserve. Our legal team takes the time to listen to your story and build a legal solution that’s customized to your needs and goals.

    This process includes the following services:

    Compiling Different Forms of Documentation

    You must have evidence that demonstrates how the fatal accident occurred and how your family has suffered as a result. Depending on the details of the situation, your lawyer may gather the following information:

    • The incident or accident report from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or another authority
    • The medical examiner’s report from the District 17 Medical Examiner’s Office
    • The decedent’s medical records
    • Eyewitness and expert testimony
    • Photographs of the hazard that caused the death and of the surrounding conditions
    • Relevant video footage
    • An accident reconstruction report

    Every bit of evidence can increase the strength of your wrongful death claim, even if it might seem insignificant at first. When you share your story with us, please tell us everything you know. After you hire us, we will also want to see any relevant documentation you have, such as medical bills or emails from the insurer.

    We understand that reliving such a devastating event is difficult. Know that our team will listen with compassion, respect, and the determination to help you however we can.

    Communicating With the Insurance Company

    Expect a call from the responsible party’s insurance company following the accident. The adjuster may ask for your take on what happened. In this event, politely decline their request and send them to Rosenberg & Rosenberg. We can manage all written, verbal, and electronic communication with them from there.

    You’re in a vulnerable state right now, and the insurance company knows that. They might use certain tactics to challenge the validity of your case. We’re familiar with these strategies, and we know how to avoid them. Our legal team can protect your rights and won’t let the insurer act in bad faith.

    In addition, trying to communicate with the insurance company gets taxing fairly quickly, especially when you’re in the middle of grieving. Handling this correspondence is part of our everyday routine, so allow us to take it on for you.

    Negotiating an Appropriate Settlement

    After we’ve built your case, our law firm can ask the insurance company to compensate you for your damages. Often, they resist offering a fair settlement. We can negotiate with them until they agree to pay what you are entitled to.

    Many wrongful death cases settle out of court, but there are times when it doesn’t work out that way. If necessary, we can take your case to trial. Our goal is to protect your right to compensation, regardless of the time required.

    Keeping in Touch With You Throughout Your Case

    Staying in contact with you is just as important as staying in contact with other parties during the legal process. You already have enough to worry about; you do not need to be left waiting and wondering about your case’s progress as well. You can rely on Rosenberg & Rosenberg to provide regular, informative, and honest updates on your case status.

    In addition, our staff has members who speak Creole and Spanish, so you can always feel comfortable communicating with us.

    Common Wrongful Death Damages and Who Qualifies to Recover Them

    Florida law is strict about who can sue for wrongful death and who may benefit from compensatory damages. According to Florida Statutes § 768.20, only “the decedent’s personal representative” can file a lawsuit. The representative may be the spouse or whoever is named in the will.

    The damages you can seek may include:

    • Burial and funeral expenses
    • Final medical care bills
    • Loss of support and services
    • Loss of guidance, protection, and companionship
    • Loss of wages and financial support
    • Mental pain and suffering

    Although only a personal representative can bring the lawsuit, they aren’t the only one who can recover compensation. In general, surviving family members receive damages according to their losses, per Florida Statutes § 768.21.

    Our attorneys can provide clarity should there be any confusion regarding who can file for or recover damages. Rosenberg & Rosenberg is one of the bigger firms in the area, and we have a dedicated team of attorneys from diverse backgrounds. We stand ready to assist you with getting justice on behalf of your late loved one.

    How Our Lawyers Can Meet the Standard of Proof

    Wrongful DeathNegligence lies at the heart of all wrongful death claims. You can only qualify to file a claim or lawsuit by proving that the other party was negligent and caused your loved one’s death. An attorney from our firm can establish negligence by applying this framework to your case:

    • Duty of care: The other party was to provide your loved one with a basic standard of care, making their safety a priority.
    • Breach of duty: The other party fell short of this duty of care toward your loved one by acting negligently.
    • Causation: An accident occurred because of this negligent act.
    • Damages: Your loved one passed away, and now you’re left to deal with the economic and non-economic damages.

    A personal legal team, including one of our firm’s partners, can handle every aspect of your case. Our law firm serves families who lost their loved ones to various types of accidents in Fort Lauderdale, including the following:

    • Car accidents, including those involving rental and rideshare vehicles
    • Bicycle accidents
    • Pedestrian accidents
    • Truck accidents
    • Bus accidents
    • Medical malpractice, including birth injury
    • Premises liability, including dog bites, swimming pool accidents, and slips and falls
    • Workers’ compensation
    • Motorcycle accidents
    • Boating accidents

    You can read more about our case results to get an idea of our approach.

    If the type of accident that took your loved one’s life is not mentioned above, do not let that stop you from calling. We still want to listen to your story and see how we can help you navigate this extremely difficult time in your life. Connect with Rosenberg & Rosenberg today to learn more in a free consultation.

    Act Fast to File Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit on Time

    Going through the legal process right after your loved one’s passing is probably the farthest thing from your mind, and with good reason. However, time is everything when you are seeking compensation from a liable party. This is because:

    • Certain forms of evidence are time-sensitive. For example, if we interview witnesses a year after the event, they may not have as clear a memory as if we had interviewed them six weeks after the event.
    • The state implements deadlines for filing a wrongful death lawsuit. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, most claimants have two years from the day of death to sue, although this can vary based on your circumstances.

    Keep in mind that this two-year deadline may not start on the same day the decedent sustained their deadly injury. If they were in an accident on January 1, 2025, but they passed away on January 8, your deadline to file would be January 8, 2027.

    If you don’t file your case by the end of the two years, it will be considered invalid, regardless of how strong it is. That’s why it’s so important for you to let Rosenberg & Rosenberg know about your situation as soon as possible. Our wrongful death attorneys can get to work on your case and help ensure you adhere to the applicable time frame.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims

    If you feel confused or uncertain about your legal rights and how to recover financial compensation, do not worry: this is a normal reaction, and it does not have to prevent you from seeking justice after a fatal accident.

    When you call Rosenberg & Rosenberg, we can provide detailed, personalized answers to all of your legal questions, including the following:

    How Long Does it Take to Settle a Wrongful Death Claim?

    The length of a claim varies from case to case. Factors that may influence your case’s length include:

    • How much evidence is available and how long it takes to acquire it
    • How many parties were involved in the accident
    • If the negligent party disputes liability
    • When and if the insurance company agrees to negotiate

    While most of these factors are out of your control, you can help your case go smoothly by preserving all materials related to the accident and promptly getting legal advice.

    Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable?

    Generally, no, you do not have to pay taxes on a wrongful death settlement or jury award. As explained under 26 USC 104, any compensatory damages you receive for a physical injury are not taxable. It is only if you receive punitive damages—which is additional money intended to penalize a negligent party, not to compensate you for any particular loss—that you will need to pay taxes.

    Punitive damages are rare and probably will not apply to your case, although our lawyers will certainly explore every possible avenue for recovering fair compensation.

    How Much Do Wrongful Death Lawyers Cost?

    How much it costs to complete your claim may vary, depending on how complex your situation is and how long it takes to complete your case. However, you should know that many law firms, including ours, do not charge you up front. Instead, as part of our agreement with you, we will agree to accept a certain percentage of your final settlement or verdict as payment.

    If we get damages for you, then we will collect our fee. If we are unable to recover any money, you do not have to pay us. This pay structure makes our services more affordable to those who may already be struggling financially after an unexpected death.

    How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Calculated?

    Rosenberg & Rosenberg can figure out how much your case is worth by carefully reviewing all available evidence. We may also consult experts who can help us accurately estimate the value of future losses, such as the amount of money your loved one would have contributed to the household over their lifetime.

    We will also have to account for the liable party’s insurance limits. If your case’s worth exceeds those limits, we can look for additional policies or liable parties to file claims against.

    Consult Our Law Firm About Your Rights Today

    You shouldn’t have to figure out how to build a case and struggle to understand insurance laws when you’ve just lost someone close to you. Take all the time you need to process this tragedy with your family. Our lawyers can handle the rest. We can advocate for your right to compensation from start to finish.

    Contact Rosenberg & Rosenberg today for a free consultation. There’s no obligation. We also don’t require any fee up front, by the hour, or out of pocket. Our lawyers only take payment for our aid if we secure financial recovery on your behalf.