Wrongful Death Lawyer in Coconut Creek

If you recently lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you have our deepest condolences. Our Coconut Creek wrongful death lawyers can hold at-fault parties financially accountable for the devastating harm they’ve caused.

The Coconut Creek personal injury lawyers at Viles & Beckman will handle every part of the legal process during this difficult time.

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with The 5-Star Law FirmⓇ.

How Our Legal Team Can Help After a Wrongful Death in Coconut Creek

One of the last things you probably want to deal with while grieving is insurance companies. The process can be complicated; insurance adjusters may try to meet with you within days of your loved one’s passing, and first offers are often lower than what you are actually entitled to. Our Coconut Creek wrongful death attorneys can handle all of this.

We can:

• Determine all liable parties so we can seek the maximum amount of compensation.
• File all needed paperwork.
• Handle all communications with insurance companies and other parties involved.
• Represent your case in court, if necessary.

Our client testimonials speak to the care and professionalism we bring to every case we take on.

Affording a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Coconut Creek

You are likely dealing with unexpected costs and may be worried about the financial strain of legal representation. We believe that everyone deserves legal representation when they need it. Our team works on a contingency basis.

Contingency fees mean that we don’t charge you upfront costs. Instead, our fees are taken as a percentage of the recovered compensation. In other words, you pay nothing unless we win.

Recoverable Compensation in Coconut Creek Wrongful Death Cases

We will seek the maximum compensation you are entitled to after a wrongful death in Coconut Creek. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses related to emergency medical or end-of-life care.
• Lost financial support.
• Lost emotional support.
• Lost parental guidance.
• The decedent’s pain and suffering.
• Funeral expenses.
• Burial or cremation costs.

Our team’s goal is to hold the responsible party financially accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Laws That Can Impact Wrongful Death Cases in Coconut Creek

Florida has specific laws regarding wrongful death cases. These regulate who can file a wrongful death suit, when it can be filed, and who the beneficiaries can be.

Who Files a Wrongful Death Claim?

Only the decedent’s personal representative can file a wrongful death claim or suit. The representative is someone named in the decedent’s will. You can still file a wrongful death claim if the deceased had no will. If there is no will, then the court can appoint a personal representative for the decedent’s estate.

Who Are the Beneficiaries of a Wrongful Death Claim?

After a wrongful death, certain family members can pursue damages. These family members are:

• A surviving spouse.
• Children of the decedent.
• Parents of the decedent.
• Blood relatives and adoptive siblings.

What is the Timeline for Wrongful Death Cases?

Under Florida Statutes 95.11, the deadline to file a wrongful death lawsuit is typically two years. However, in some cases, this timeframe can be shortened. Talk to your attorney about the expected timeline for your case.

Proving Negligence in Wrongful Death Cases

Your lawyer will need to prove that someone else’s negligence led to the wrongful death. To do so, your lawyer will investigate and gather evidence that shows all four elements of negligence were present.

These four elements are:

Duty of Care

This is the responsibility that a party has toward another party. For example, a driver has a duty of care for others on the road. To meet that responsibility, they must obey traffic laws.

Breach of Duty of Care

A party fails to act responsibly. For example:

• A driver speeds or drives while under the influence.
• A trucking company pushes its drivers to break hours-of-service regulations.
• A property owner knows about a hazardous condition and fails to fix it.

Causation

The breach directly leads to an accident. For example:

• A driver is playing on their phone and, because of that, fails to brake in time at a crosswalk.
• A truck driver falls asleep at the wheel and swerves into another lane of traffic.
• Cords are left in an aisle, and someone trips over them.

Damages

There are losses because of the accident. These can include medical bills and funeral costs.

What Evidence Can Prove the Four Elements of Negligence?

Helpful evidence for proving negligence can include:

• Witness statements.
• Video footage of the accident.
• Medical records.
• Phone records, blood alcohol concentration tests, or other evidence of a breach.
• Police or incident reports.
• Black box data, if a commercial vehicle was involved.
• Prior complaints about a hazardous condition.

Your lawyer may also consult with expert witnesses, such as an accident reconstructionist, if needed to strengthen a claim of negligence.

Steps to Take

After a death, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that has to be done while also grieving. Your priority should be taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Remember to seek support when you need it.

Some steps that can be helpful include:

• Contact a lawyer about your case.
• Avoid talking to insurance adjusters and instead direct them to your lawyer.
• Do not sign anything or accept an offer without consulting your lawyer.
• Keep any receipts or bills related to the accident, such as funeral costs and medical expenses.

Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney in Coconut Creek Today

The legal team at Viles & Beckman is here for you during this difficult time. We can handle the entire process of your claim. We have attorneys who speak Spanish, Russian, and Creole so that everyone can get the legal services they need.

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.