Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyer
The loss of a loved one can be painful and traumatic. In a moment, your entire life turns upside down, and your future plans become uncertain. When another party’s negligence causes your loved one’s death, you may not know where to turn for guidance and support.
If you lost a family member, pursuing compensation could be the last thing on your mind. After all, what’s money in a time like this? However, financial recovery could account for end-of-life care costs and make your situation more manageable. A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer from Meldon Law can advocate for what you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation, or fill out our online contact form. While you focus on grieving your loss, we will take on your family’s fight like it was our own. We will put the full weight of our resources into seeing that justice is served on your behalf.
You Pay Nothing Upfront to Retain Our Help in a Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Claim
In a stressful time like this, the last thing you want to worry about is attorney’s fees. So, we waive all fees until the conclusion of your case. Since 1971, we’ve helped injured claimants and their families on a contingency-fee basis. We don’t charge a penny until your case comes to a fair conclusion. Even then, our fees come from the settlement we recover. You never pay us directly from your own savings.
Our Fort Lauderdale Injury Lawyers Manage Wrongful Death Claims Arising From These Situations
We won’t stop fighting for the justice your loved one deserves. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney helps with all types of wrongful death cases, including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
In Broward County alone, 2023 saw 40,200 motor vehicle accidents, resulting in more than 24,000 injuries and 209 fatalities, per the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These accidents include:
- Car accidents
- Accidents caused by drunk drivers
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Navigating car accident cases can quickly get complicated. Issues involving fault, liability, and the value of your case can bring your case to a grinding halt. Our team combats any attempts to delay your case. We do everything in our power to hold the negligent party accountable and move your case onward.
Premises Liability Incidents (Such as Slips and Falls)
Business and property owners in Fort Lauderdale have a responsibility to keep their properties free from known hazards. However, every year, people lose their lives in deadly property accidents. From lethal falls to negligent security deaths, property owners may bear liability when another person suffers a fatal accident on their property.
Medical Malpractice
Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, medical errors cause hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States every year. Only heart disease and cancer cause more deaths. In Fort Lauderdale, deadly medical errors, medication mistakes, and surgical errors cause deaths every year at hospitals and clinics in the community.
If another party’s negligence caused your loved one’s passing, Meldon Law offers its unyielding support. Seeking compensation is just one of the many services we offer. Above all else, we prioritize your well-being and legal goals. We work for you and no one else.
Damages Our Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Pursue
A personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. They do so for the benefit of other parties, such as the decedent’s:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents
We work tirelessly to build your case and pursue damages, including:
- Loss of companionship and support
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Medical expenses before your loved one’s passing
- The value of lost services and support
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Loss of financial benefits
We may pursue additional damages depending on the details of your case.
Results We’ve Obtained for Florida Families
Our legal team fights tooth and nail for grieving families in and around Fort Lauderdale. Here are just a few of our results we’ve recovered:
- $275,000 award for the family of a young woman who drowned after her scuba instructor ignored her distress signal and abandoned her
- $250,000 award for the family of someone who passed away from hemorrhagic shock and bleeding after hospital personnel failed to monitor the relocation of a temporary hemodialysis catheter
- $110,000 award for a woman who lost her baby after her uterus ruptured while she was hospitalized for inducing
These results demonstrate our commitment to securing justice and compensation for families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others. We understand that no amount of money can ever replace the loss of a cherished family member, but we believe that holding responsible parties accountable and obtaining financial recovery can help ease the burden on grieving families.
How Our Wrongful Death Attorneys Pursue Cases in Fort Lauderdale
Reckless drivers, negligent companies, and irresponsible manufacturers can all cause fatal accidents. At Meldon Law, we have successfully represented countless families in their pursuit of justice after losing a loved one.
We understand that all families are unique in the situations and obstacles they face. As such, we tailor all our legal services to you and your family’s needs. To help us do this, we offer free initial consultations. There, we learn more about you and you can learn about how we:
Prove Negligence in Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Cases
Proving wrongful death claims and securing compensation is not always easy. However, you don’t have to worry about parsing through complicated legalese and combating insensitive insurers on your own. Instead, you can breathe a sigh of relief and partner with Meldon Law.
One of our biggest obligations involves proving negligence. For example, we must establish that:
- The other party owed your loved one a “duty of care.” This means they had an obligation to act with reasonable caution. For instance, all motorists must drive carefully and avoid causing accidents.
- The at-fault party breached their duty of care. A motorist breaches their duty of care when they speed.
- The other party caused your loved one’s fatal injuries.
- You have damages stemming from the incident.
We want as much information as possible to support your case. Using the accident report, your loved one’s medical records, and eyewitness testimony, we can build a robust case.
Manage Accusations of Fault in Your Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Claim
A recent law changed how fault can be assigned in Florida injury cases. Before HB 837 was enacted in 2023, Florida followed a pure comparative negligence law. Under this law, injured parties who contributed to their injuries could recover compensation unless they were entirely at fault for the accident.
Now, Florida’s modified comparative negligence law lowers that threshold for contribution. You can still recover compensation if you contributed, but only if you were no more than 50% responsible for your accident.
Our team will manage any accusations of fault, striving to prove that the other party was more at fault than you are.
Manage Your Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Case’s Deadlines
Our attorneys move quickly and efficiently when building wrongful death cases. That’s because we know that you and your family want compensation as soon as possible to cover funeral expenses, medical costs, and household expenses. However, there are other reasons to consider prompt legal help.
Florida law allows the personal representative two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While this may seem like a generous time frame, we need as much time as possible to build a successful case. What’s more, if the statute of limitations passes, you could lose the right to file a lawsuit.
While some exceptions could extend your filing period, we suggest consulting our team before assuming anything. The state doesn’t make exceptions for misunderstandings.
What Happens if I Can’t File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
You can still negotiate for the compensation you need, but since you can’t threaten to sue, you have no leverage. This means the insurer can offer whatever it wants and you’ll just have to take what you can get.
We are here for you 24/7
(Consultations are Free)
Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyer FAQs
Our attorneys are more than happy to answer any questions you might have during your free initial consultation. However, we thought these answers might help you get started.
What Constitutes a Wrongful Death in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Per Florida law, a wrongful death is one that is caused by “wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty.” This means that if someone’s recklessness, neglect, or intentional act caused your loved one’s passing, you may have a valid case.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for a Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Claim?
Legally, you don’t need to hire a wrongful death attorney, but if you don’t, you have to handle all the following (and likely more) alone:
- Gathering evidence
- Determining the value of your case
- Filling out paperwork and ensuring its accuracy
- Managing communication with insurance companies and all involved parties
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit
- Prepping your case for trial
You’ll need to do all this while grieving and attempting to get used to your new normal.
How Do I Determine What My Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Case Is Worth?
Several factors could determine your case value. They include:
- Whether your loved one was the breadwinner in your family
- Their age
- Their profession
- Whether they had medical bills before they passed
You can factor all these in when adding up your losses—or our team can do it for you.
There Is Already a Criminal Case Happening, Do I Need to File a Claim?
A criminal case will help you get justice, but it won’t get you the compensation you need to cover losses, new expenses, and start to move forward. For that, you’ll need to file a civil claim.
How Long a Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Claim Takes to Settle
The timeline for settling a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death claim can vary significantly depending on the unique circumstances of each case. Some factors that can influence the duration of the settlement process include:
- Investigation: The complexity of the case and the time required to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts can impact the overall timeline.
- Liability disputes: If there are disagreements about who is at fault for the wrongful death, the settlement process may take longer as parties work to establish liability.
- Insurance company cooperation: The willingness of the insurance company to negotiate in good faith and offer a fair settlement can affect the speed of the process.
- Legal proceedings: If a lawsuit is filed, the case may take longer to resolve due to court schedules, hearings, and potential appeals.
- Complexity of damages: Wrongful death claims often involve complex calculations of damages, including future lost income, loss of companionship, and emotional distress, which can prolong the settlement process.
- Plaintiff’s willingness to settle: If the deceased’s family is not satisfied with the settlement offers and chooses to pursue a trial, the process will likely take longer.
On average, a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death claim may take several months to a few years to settle, depending on the specific factors at play. However, some cases may resolve more quickly, while others may take longer if they go to trial.
How Our Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyers Take the Pressure Off of Grieving Families
At our Fort Lauderdale law firm, we understand that losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is an incredibly difficult and emotional experience. We believe that grieving families should be able to focus on healing and moving forward without the added stress of navigating the legal system. That’s why our compassionate wrongful death lawyers are dedicated to taking the pressure off of families during this challenging time.
When you work with our experienced wrongful death attorneys, you can expect:
- Compassionate support: We treat our clients with empathy, respect, and understanding, providing a supportive environment where you can feel comfortable sharing your story and concerns.
- Thorough investigation: Our team will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Handling of legal proceedings: We will take care of all legal paperwork, court filings, and communication with insurance companies and opposing parties, allowing you to focus on your family’s well-being.
- Guidance and advice: We will provide clear, honest advice about your legal options, the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and what you can expect throughout the process.
- Aggressive representation: Our attorneys will fight tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the maximum compensation your family deserves for your economic and non-economic losses.
- Regular updates: We will keep you informed about the progress of your case and promptly address any questions or concerns you may have along the way.
By working with our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers, you can have peace of mind knowing that your case is in capable, compassionate hands. We are committed to shouldering the legal burden so you and your family can focus on honoring your loved one’s memory and beginning the healing process.
Tips for Grieving Families Who Are Navigating the Process of a Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Claim
Navigating the wrongful death claim process while grieving the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help families through this challenging time:
- Take care of yourself and your family: Prioritize your emotional well-being and that of your family members. Seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals as needed.
- Gather important documents: Collect documents related to your loved one’s death, such as medical records, police reports, and any evidence that may support your claim.
- Keep a record of expenses: Document all expenses related to your loved one’s death, including medical bills, funeral costs, and any other financial losses you have incurred as a result of their passing.
- Be patient: Wrongful death claims can take time to resolve, so it’s essential to be patient and allow your attorney to work through the process thoroughly.
- Communicate openly with your attorney: Share any information or concerns you have with your lawyer and ask questions when you need clarification or guidance.
- Avoid discussing the case publicly: Refrain from discussing the details of your case with others or posting about it on social media, as this could potentially harm your claim.
- Focus on healing: While the legal process is important, it’s crucial to prioritize your emotional healing and that of your family. Engage in activities that bring you comfort and help you cope with your grief.
- Consider joining a support group: Connecting with others who have experienced similar losses can provide a sense of community and support during this difficult time.
- Make decisions as a family: When it comes to important decisions related to the wrongful death claim, try to involve close family members and work together to make choices that honor your loved one’s memory and serve the best interests of your family.
Remember, an experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorney can help alleviate much of the stress and pressure associated with the legal process, allowing you and your family to focus on grieving and healing.
Call Our Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
Meldon Law is ready to break ground on your case and start advocating for your family. Serving our clients with compassion and integrity isn’t just our job––it’s our calling. Consult with our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Call us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free wrongful death case review. We will be the strong legal advocates you can turn to in your family’s time of need
