What Damages Can Be Sought In A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
When a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to sue for wrongful death in Florida. Making the decision to sue can be difficult, though. While you may just want to go on with your life, you should understand that you have the right to collect damages, which could be helpful in many ways.
According to the Florida Legislature, in a wrongful death suit, if you are named as a beneficiary in a wrongful death complaint, then you have the right to compensation depending on how you were connected to the deceased. You may collect for your suffering and pain if you are the spouse of the person who died. In addition, as the spouse, you can get damages for the loss of companionship. If the person was your parent, you may also be able to collect the same damages as a spouse if you are a minor or if your other parent is also deceased. If you are a parent who has lost a child, you also have the right to the same compensation as a spouse. Other damages that may be collected include the loss of support, funeral expenses and medical expenses.
It is important to note that you must be named in the complaint filed with the court to collect damages. You may have to share the damages paid with other beneficiaries. It is also possible for the deceased person’s estate to sue using a representative. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.