St. Petersburg Wrongful Death Attorney

A Brief Summary of the Following Page

• Causes: Wrongful death lawsuits arise from accidents like car, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle incidents, often compelling families to seek justice for their immense losses.
• Legal Criteria: In Florida, wrongful death lawsuits must meet strict legal requirements, making experienced legal guidance crucial for navigating these complex criteria.
• Potential Damages: Survivors may seek compensation for lost support, companionship, and emotional distress, among other losses, which underscores the broad financial and emotional impact of wrongful death.
• Legal Support: At Marsalisi Law, we focus on personal and thorough representation in wrongful death claims, aiming to secure rightful compensation for families during such difficult times.
• To schedule a free consultation and speak with Frank today, complete a contact form or call (727) 800-5052.

Unexpectedly losing a loved one is one of the most profound challenges anyone can face, and when their death results from someone else’s negligence, the emotional toll is compounded by the need for legal recourse.  We will delve into what wrongful death claims entail, the specific statutes that affect these claims in Florida, and how having the right attorney can make a significant difference in your pursuit of justice and compensation.

Whether you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, medical malpractice, or any other scenario where negligence led to loss of life, understanding your rights and the legal pathways available is essential.  If you are seeking a dedicated and experienced wrongful death attorney in St. Petersburg, look no further than Marsalisi Law.  We can provide personalized and thorough legal services to those who have faced the tragedy of losing a loved one due to negligence.  Please get in touch with us if you are interested in gaining support during your time of need.

Representing Clients in Wrongful Death Claims and Lawsuits

Dealing with the overwhelming emotions triggered by the untimely loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is one of the most challenging experiences to navigate.  Wrongful death cases can occur in a number of different contexts, including motorcycle accidents, auto accidents, and pedestrian accidents.

In Florida, there are an average of 2,925 fatal crashes with 3,142 deaths each year, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  Sometimes, these terrible accidents are unavoidable.  Unfortunately, they are often caused by the negligence of another driver.  In wrongful death cases, the victim’s family deserves full compensation for their tragic loss.

If you have lost a family member due to another person’s negligent actions, whether in a medical setting, car accident, or under other circumstances, we can represent you.  Feel free to contact Marsalisi Law for outstanding support and compensation in your time of need.

If you have lost a family member due to another person’s negligent actions, whether in a medical setting, car accident, or under other circumstances, we can represent you.  Feel free to contact Marsalisi Law for outstanding support and compensation in your time of need.

Common Causes for Wrongful Deaths in St. Petersburg

Many believe that the tragedy of losing a loved one naturally calls for a wrongful death lawsuit.  However, Florida laws are strict in what accidents constitute as “wrongful” for a wrongful death to be pursued.  If your case does not meet the legal criteria for wrongful death, it may not be viable.  Therefore, we recommend that you work with an attorney with experience in wrongful death claims.  This will make it far easier for you to navigate the legal process and receive compensation.

It is essential to understand what types of accidents warrant a wrongful death claim.  In St. Petersburg, causes of wrongful death often include:

• Car accidents;
• Motorcycle accidents;
• Scooter accidents;
• Pedestrian accidents; and
• Bicycle accidents.

An experienced St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney can clarify whether your case qualifies for a lawsuit and guide you on how to proceed.  Feel free to contact Marsalisi Law for invaluable support during your claim, even if the cause of loss of life is not listed here.  We can assist you in many ways and point you in the right direction.

Damages Considered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your wrongful death lawsuit, you can receive compensation for your losses.  In particular, in claims associated with loss of life due to another person’s negligence, you can receive financial recovery for the following:

• Lost Support: Each survivor may recover the value of lost support and services from the date of the decedent’s injury to his or her death, with interest, and future loss of support and services from the date of death and reduced to present value.
• Loss of Companionship for Spouse: The surviving spouse of a wrongful death claim may also recover for loss of the decedent’s companionship and protection and for mental pain and suffering from the date of injury.
• Losses for Dependents and Minor Children: Minor children of the decedent, and all children of the decedent if there is no surviving spouse, may also recover for lost parental companionship, instruction, and guidance as well as mental pain and suffering from the date of injury.
• Pain and Suffering: Each parent of a deceased minor child may recover from mental pain and suffering from the date of injury. Each parent of an adult child in a wrongful death case may also recover from mental pain and suffering if there are no other survivors.

Wrongful death claims are generally handled by personal injury lawyers and governed by similar laws.  Therefore, you may also be able to receive compensation for additional losses, such as the following items eligible for recovery in general personal injury claims:

• Reduced earning capacity and lost wages;
• Property damage;
• Past and future medical expenses;
• Funeral costs;
• In-home rehabilitation;
• Disability;
• Court costs;
• Travel expenses;
• Loss of enjoyment of life; and
• Punitive damages.

For further assistance with your claim, we encourage you to work with an experienced attorney.  By working with a lawyer from Marsalisi Law, we can help identify additional qualifying losses, maximize your potential compensation, and obtain the financial recovery you deserve.

How Can You Prove Negligence in a Wrongful Death Claim?

In a wrongful death claim, you must demonstrate fault to hold the liable parties accountable and receive compensation for the family.  There are a few essential elements you must show to establish liability in your claim.

Duty of Care

Duty of care is the responsibility someone owes to others, specifically to keep them safe and prevent injury or death.  For example, doctors have the duty to do no harm, properly monitor vital signs, and treat diagnosed medical issues.  Car drivers also owe the duty of care to follow posted signs, perform vehicle maintenance, and avoid driving while distracted.

Duty of care covers more than just a few responsibilities.  It may be more accurately explained as an obligation to avoid unnecessary risks that increase the odds of bodily harm to others.

Breach of Duty of Care

A breach of duty of care, also known as negligence, occurs when someone acts in a way that increases the risk of injuries.  For example, a breach of duty of care might mean willingly driving while tired or wearing headphones.  Many actions may encompass a breach of duty of care.

It may be difficult to establish negligence without adequate evidence in your party’s favor, so we encourage you to work with an attorney.  An experienced lawyer can make evidence collection and analysis far simpler.

Causation

You must also demonstrate that someone’s negligence is directly related to someone’s negligent behavior.  Negligent action does not mean someone will certainly get hurt, and bodily injury does not inherently imply anyone was negligent in their behavior.  Cause of injury, death, worsening of chronic conditions, or an increase in severity of an outcome can all be connected to negligence.

Generally, you can prove causation by seeking medical attention after an accident.  However, if your loved one did not pass after receiving healthcare from a professional, alternative forms of proof may also be appropriate.  We encourage you to work with a lawyer to discuss your options.

Economic Loss

While you can also receive compensation for losses associated with non-monetary values, you must first demonstrate that you face direct economic damages.  Examples of economic losses you may face may include medical bills, repair costs for property damage, court fees, and lost wages.

Once you have demonstrated you face economic loss, you can also receive financial recovery for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and similarly weighed losses.

How a St. Petersburg Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help Ease the Pain of Your Loss

Bringing a lawsuit is always difficult for the family.  Reliving your loved one’s final moments may cause emotional trauma, depression, and financial stress.  A St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney can guide you through this incredibly challenging time.

Nothing can ever replace the loss of a loved one, but a wrongful death lawyer can protect your legal rights and ensure your family is fully compensated for all financial losses incurred since losing your loved one.

When filing a wrongful death lawsuit, there are several tasks a St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney can help with, including:

• Gather essential reports and witness statements;
• Investigate the cause of your loved one’s death;
• Determine the responsible party;
• Conduct investigations to prove negligence to gain compensation;
• Provide trusted counsel through each step of the process;
• Negotiate with every party to recover a satisfactory settlement;
• Assure that all documents are filed correctly and promptly;
• Communicate with the other parties on your behalf;
• Work with healthcare providers to obtain any missing records; and
• Access research methods and tools only available to legal professionals.

At Marsalisi Law, Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi understands the impact of wrongful death on a family.  Frank is steadfast in his belief that those who act negligently and cause the death of another person should be held accountable for their actions.

We encourage you to refrain from representing yourself during your legal matters, as this may result in less-than-ideal results and undue stress.  However, when you work with an attorney from Marsalisi Law, located in St. Pete, we can help you receive maximum compensation, reduce time in litigation, and decrease stress related to your emotional healing and legal matters.

Our firm provides free consultations and works on contingency, so you only pay us when you win your claim.  We understand how stressful legal matters can be, especially when they involve loss of life, so you should not take on additional financial strain.  Contact us today to obtain invaluable support during difficult times.

Turn to a St. Petersburg Trusted Wrongful Death Attorney for Help

If you have recently lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another party, Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi of Marsalisi Law can help.  Please keep in mind that under Florida’s statute of limitations, families pursuing a wrongful death claim have two years to do so.  When you partner with a personal injury lawyer from Marsalisi Law, you will have Frank’s full attention and will be treated with respect and compassion as he guides you through each step of the process so you can soon move forward in your life.

Frank is dedicated to his clients and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for his continued excellence.  Frank is fluent in English and Spanish, so you can feel as comfortable as possible while communicating with him during a difficult time.  To schedule a free consultation and speak with Frank today, complete a contact form or call (727) 800-5052.

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 Areas we serve:

Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Polk County, Pasco County, Manatee County.