Miami Wrongful Death Lawyer | Florida Wrongful Death Attorneys

Seeking Justice for Your Loved One in Florida

Very few events can affect us like the loss of a loved one. When their death is the result of another person’s negligent behavior, it becomes even harder to accept. While there is really no way to compensate for the loss of life, family members of the deceased can attempt to have a secure financial future by contacting a Miami wrongful death lawyer.

As you grieve for a loved one, it can be difficult to handle all the complex legal matters that go into a wrongful death case. Trust Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm to handle your case with the attention and respect that it deserves. Our personal injury attorneys only handle a limited number of cases at a time so we can give our personal and focused attention to each one of our clients.

We’re award-winning wrongful death attorneys who have recovered millions for injured individuals and grieving families, but beyond that, we genuinely care for each of our clients and do whatever it takes to get them where they want to be in life. No matter the circumstances of your case, our team is ready to help you protect your legal rights after the death of a loved one.

Contact our office online or by phone to schedule your free consultation at (305) 638-4143. We speak English as well as Spanish and offer scheduling flexibility.

Table of Contents

• What qualifies as wrongful death in Florida?
• Who can file a wrongful death case in Florida?
• Who is the personal representative of the estate?
• Who are the survivors in a wrongful death lawsuit?
• How can I be the appointed personal representative in a wrongful death case?
• How much time do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Florida?
• Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if I have not been appointed personal representative yet?
• What are the most common wrongful death claims in Florida?
• What are the wrongful death laws in Florida?
• Who is liable in a wrongful death lawsuit?
• What damages can I recover from a wrongful death case?
• Who is responsible for payment in a wrongful death lawsuit?
• How much is a wrongful death case worth in Florida?
• How long does it take to settle a wrongful death case in Florida?
• Understanding Autopsies in Miami Wrongful Death Cases
• Wrongful Death Cases Resolved by Flanagan & Bodenheimer
• Free Consultation with Miami Wrongful Death Lawyer

What Qualifies as Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when someone’s death is caused by the negligence of another person or a company. To prove negligence, you must prove that the defendant owed the deceased a duty of care, that the defendant breached that duty of care, and that the breach was the legal cause of the death.

Wrongful death claims are civil cases, and they occur separately from any criminal trial related to the death. If there is a criminal lawsuit related to the death, then that case will proceed separately from the civil wrongful death case. However, verdicts and evidence presented in a criminal lawsuit can play a role in the civil wrongful death case.

What is the Legal Definition of Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful or negligent act or omission of another person or company.  In other words, in a negligent act, the wrongdoer did not intend to cause the death – they may have done something that accidentally caused a death. However, even intentional acts like pre-meditated murder can be considered a wrongful death and may properly support a wrongful death lawsuit.

A good example of this is the O.J Simpson cases. In the O.J. Simpson cases, Mr. Simpson was criminally charged with murder. In a separate case, the victims’ family sued Mr. Simpsons for wrongful death. While the State of California lost the murder trial against Mr. Simpson, the victims’ families won the wrongful death trials against Mr. Simpson. One important point to remember is that there is typically no insurance coverage for an intentional act, like pre-meditated murder.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case?

Wrongful death claims are controlled by the Florida Wrongful Death Act. Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, the Personal Representative of the deceased person’s Estate must bring the case for wrongful death. The Personal Representative of the Estate files the case for the benefit of the deceased person’s survivors.

Who Is the Personal Representative of the Estate?

The Personal Representative is the person that makes legal decisions for the benefit of the survivors. The Personal Representative is the named party in the lawsuit and they will hire the attorney that handles the case and will help make strategic decisions and settlement decisions for the benefit of the survivors.

Who Are the Survivors?

The Florida Wrongful Death Act defines who may be a survivor in each case. Depending on who died, whether they were married, whether they had children, whether they had blood relatives that were wholly dependent on them, and how they died, there will be different survivors, or in some cases no survivors. This can be a very complicated question to answer depending on the situation. It is best to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney to obtain an accurate answer in your specific case.

Here is an example to help illustrate the point: Mr. Smith is 80 years old. He is involved in a terrible car accident caused by a drunk driver. Mr. Smith is taken to the hospital where a doctor commits medical malpractice on Mr. Smith and he dies. His wife passed away a year earlier. Mr. Smith has two children, Jack and Jill who are fifty years old.

Under the damages section of the Florida Wrongful Death Act, Jack and Jill are survivors in the wrongful death case against the drunk driver. However, because of an exception for medical malpractice wrongful death, Jack and Jill are not survivors in the medical malpractice case. Under these facts, Mr. Smith has no survivors who may bring a claim for his wrongful death from medical malpractice.

The above example illustrates that determining who the survivors might be, or whether there are any survivors at all, can be complex. You should speak with a personal injury lawyer to discuss this point.

Have a question about a potential case? Contact our wrongful death attorneys at +1 (786) 418-7187 for a free consultation in English or Spanish.

How Can I Be Appointed Personal Representative?

The Court will appoint a person to serve as the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. However, it will not appoint anyone automatically. Typically, a family member will apply to the Court to be appointed the Personal Representative. The Court will look to see who the survivors (beneficiaries) will be and will try to determine if they agree to appoint the applicant, or whether they disagree.

If everyone agrees that the family member should be the Personal Representative, then that person will most likely be appointed. However, if that person has a criminal background or if the survivors do not agree, then the Court will hear all interested parties and appoint the most qualified person to serve as personal representative.

Can I File the Wrongful Death Lawsuit If I Have Not Been Appointed Personal Representative Yet?

This is a point of confusion for many lawyers who do not frequently handle wrongful death cases. The answer at the time this page was written is, yes. A person can file a complaint for wrongful death before they are appointed as the personal representative.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

This question can be complicated to answer so it is best to consult with a Miami wrongful death lawyer to obtain an accurate answer. However, generally a person must file a lawsuit for wrongful death against all liable parties within two years of the date of the death. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.

There are limited exceptions to this deadline so you should consult with a wrongful death attorney to determine when the statute of limitations will run on the potential case. Here is a helpful starting point to research the statute of limitations in Florida.

Florida Injury & Wrongful Death Statistics

Fatalities can occur in almost any type of accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 224,000 unintentional injury deaths during 2021. Over 45,000 of those deaths were due to motor vehicle accidents, over 102,000 were due to unintentional poisoning, and over 44,000 were from unintentional falls. While not all these accidents qualified as wrongful death cases, many were the fault of other parties.

During the latest reporting year in Florida, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles tells us that there were 401,000 total car accidents in the state. Out of those, there were 3,454 fatalities. Many of these fatalities revolved around grossly negligent driver behavior. There were 5,111 alcohol confirmed crashes and 747 drug confirmed crashes. They took 827 lives during the reporting year mentioned above – nearly 25% of the total traffic fatalities that year.

Common Wrongful Death Cases in Miami, Florida

• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is one of the major causes of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Florida. Checking a text message or watching a video on a smartphone can lead to deadly car, truck, and motorcycle accidents.
• Commercial Vehicle Collisions: Commercial vehicle accidents are often fatal. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) tells us that tractor-trailers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. In a collision with a 4,000-pound vehicle, passengers are often victims. Thousands of people are killed in commercial vehicle crashes each year in the US. This includes collisions with semi-trucks, buses, delivery trucks, construction vehicles, and more.
• Product Liability: Thousands of people are killed each year due to defective products according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Faulty products are found in every industry. The most common problems include faulty product designs, manufacturing errors, and problems with a product’s label (missing hazards, wrong dosage, incomplete ingredient lists or instructions, etc.).
• Construction Accidents: Construction workers have dangerous jobs. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) says that 20.7% of all private industry workers fatalities were in the construction industry during the latest reporting year. Most of the deaths in the construction industry are preventable. In many cases, they occur due to the negligence of a third party at a construction site.
• Medical Malpractice: Aside from other types of accidents, medical malpractice cases can also lead to the death of patients. According to a study by John Hopkins patient safety experts, nearly ten percent of all U.S. deaths are due to medical errors, making it the third-highest cause of death in the U.S.
• Pool Accidents: Whether it’s at a relative’s or friend’s residence, a hotel, or an amusement park, a drowning accident can happen unexpectedly. If the pool area lacks appropriate safety precautions or if the owner did not adhere to safety guidelines, they, and/or the pool maintenance company, could potentially be held accountable for any fatalities resulting from a drowning incident.
• Boating Accidents: A boating accident resulting in a death claim often centers on the boat operator’s actions. Failing to exercise caution, follow regulations, or provide necessary safety devices can lead to severe consequences for the operator if lives are lost due to their negligence.
• Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents: Tragic incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in Florida often result from collisions with vehicles. These accidents can occur in various locations, with school zones being particularly vulnerable. 
• Motorcycle Accidents: Frequently, motorcycle accidents result from drivers neglecting to notice motorcycle riders, a situation easily avoidable by merely checking before changing lanes. Tragically, motorcyclists involved in these accidents may endure severe consequences, such as brain injuries, back and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, burn injuries, broken bones, scarring, and even death.
• Prescription Medication Errors: When healthcare professionals, pharmacists, or medical facilities make mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications, patients may receive the wrong dosage, incorrect medication, or suffer from harmful drug interactions. These errors can result in serious health complications, irreversible harm, and, in the worst cases, fatal outcomes.
• Rehab Facility Negligence & Death: Our firm has handled cases of negligence involving drug and alcohol rehabilitation and sober living facilities in Florida.
• Negligent Security Incidents: Negligent security cases often arise when property owners or managers fail to provide adequate security measures, such as proper lighting, surveillance, or security personnel, in high-risk areas like apartment complexes, hotels, or shopping centers. These lapses can lead to violent crimes, assaults, robberies, or other dangerous situations, leaving victims with severe injuries or, in tragic cases, wrongful death claims.
• Vibrio Infections: Vibrio infections, caused by bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, can be life-threatening, particularly in environments like cruise ships or areas with warm coastal waters. These infections may arise from consuming undercooked seafood or exposure to contaminated water. If not properly diagnosed and treated, Vibrio infections can lead to severe illness or even death. Wrongful death claims may emerge in cases where cruise lines, restaurants, or healthcare providers fail to warn of the risks, maintain proper hygiene, or provide timely medical care.

Florida Wrongful Death Law

Under Florida law, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may file a wrongful death claim. The deceased’s will may name the personal representative; if one has not been named, then the court will appoint a personal representative, who may then file the claim.

Generally, family members that can recover compensation from a wrongful death claim are:

• The deceased’s spouse and minor children
• If no surviving spouse, then all children of deceased (except children over 25, if the death was caused by medical malpractice)
• If no surviving spouse or children, then the parents may recover (except in medical malpractice claims if the deceased was over 25 years old)
• Other blood relatives or adopted siblings who are dependent on the deceased

When children are born to unmarried parents, they can always recover damages if their mother dies. However, if a child’s father dies, the child may only recover damages if the father had recognized the child as his and had an obligation to support the child.

Who Is Liable?

Many parties can potentially be liable in a wrongful death claim. Some examples include:

• Drivers responsible for accidents
• Those who supply alcohol to impaired drivers causing fatal accidents
• Companies manufacturing, distributing, or selling defective products
• Companies failing to warn about product risks
• Designers or builders of hazardous roadways
• Government agencies neglecting to warn about dangerous road conditions
• Medical professionals who failed to use reasonable care
• Employers of individuals causing death during work duties

To prove liability, you must be able to show that:

• The responsible party had a duty of care to the deceased
• The responsible party breached that duty by acting negligently or recklessly
• Those actions led to the death

For example, in a car accident, the plaintiff would need to establish that the other driver had a duty to follow the rules of the road. Because the defendant did not follow those rules, such as by speeding, the accident occurred, which caused an injury that led to death. If the driver’s speeding didn’t cause the accident, and it was instead because of a vehicle malfunction, then the manufacturer may be liable for the death instead.

What Damages Can I Recover?

The unique circumstances of your wrongful death claim will determine the exact amount of compensation you can recover.

Many categories of damages can come into play during these lawsuits, including:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical bills for treatment given to injuries that led to the deceased’s death
• Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased prior to death
• Lost wages based on the expected earnings of the deceased if the untimely death had not occurred
• Loss of consortium to cover emotional damages of the surviving family members
• Loss of parental guidance and support
• Mental pain and suffering of the survivors
• Loss of support and services that would have been provided by the deceased (Taking care of the kids, cooking meals, driving children to school, mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool, and countless other valuable services family members provide to each other for free)
• Punitive damages to potentially punish the defendant for the behavior that led to the death
• Loss of net accumulations of the Estate (how much money the person would have saved and passed on to their survivors if they lived a full life)

The Estate may also be awarded damages if a survival action is filed. The various damages available to each set of survivors depends on the specific facts of each case. You should hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you maximize the recovery to the survivors.

Who is Responsible for Payment in a Wrongful Death Case?

In a wrongful death lawsuit, usually an insurance company ultimately pays for the damages caused to another by the policyholder’s negligence. For instance, if your loved one passed away in a car accident, the other driver’s auto insurance company is responsible to pay for the damages caused – up to the insurance policy limits. Similarly, if the death occurred due to hazardous building conditions, there are several different insurance policies that may apply.

However, should the defendant fail to have insurance or have an insufficient amount of insurance coverage, the defendant is personally accountable for a portion or the entire sum of the damage, if the matter does not settle.

How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth in Florida?

Each wrongful death case has a different value. It is hard to predict how much money a jury might award. However, we have a method that we use to calculate how much a case might be worth when we are working on these claims.

• Survivors: First, we evaluate how many survivors will be able to make a claim.
• Damages: Second, we review the categories damages available to the survivors. Are the survivors minor children who will be claiming loss of parental guidance and support and services? Is the survivor a spouse who will be claiming loss of consortium? The categories of damages available to each survivor plays a very important role in calculating damages.
• Liability: Third, we assess liability. The circumstances that cause the death can have play an aggravating role in the jurors’ minds and cause them to award a larger sum. For example, a jury is likely to award a greater damages award against a drunk driver than they might be against a person who’s negligence is slight.
• Location: Another important consideration is the location or venue of the case.  Some jurisdictions in Florida historically return larger verdicts than do others.  Generally, wrongful death cases in Broward County, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach tend to result in some of the largest verdicts in the state.
• Defendants: Something else to consider is who the Defendants are. In a car accident case, if the Defendant is a sympathetic person like a school teacher who made a mistake and caused a crash, jurors may return a smaller verdict than they would if the Defendant was a large corporation like Publix or Wal-Mart. In personal injury cases, while jurors are not supposed to consider a Defendant’s ability to pay a large verdict, they sometimes do consider this information in arriving at their verdict.

How Long Does it Take to Settle a Wrongful Death Case in Florida?

Wrongful death settlements are not predictable. Some cases reach resolution quickly, in a matter of months, while others may stretch out over several years. Usually, the family wants to settle quickly for fair compensation.  Sometimes the insurance companies have the same desire, other times the insurance company may want to try to pick apart the family’s claims and try to settle the claim for less. 

How long a settlement might take depends on a lot of factors, most importantly, how the death was caused, how much insurance coverage is available, and who the survivors are.

Do I Need To Have An Autopsy Preformed To File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Autopsies serve different roles depending on the nature of the case. For medical malpractice wrongful death cases, they can provide critical information about the cause of death. In contrast, for accidents like car or truck incidents unrelated to intoxication, autopsies may be considered unnecessary. The decision varies based on the specific circumstances surrounding each case.

When there’s suspicion of death due to drug overdose or prescription drug toxicity, an autopsy and toxicology report become vital. On the other hand, in instances of death caused by trauma like car accidents, truck accidents, or premises liability incidents, autopsies are generally unnecessary.

For Miami wrongful death cases, autopsies are typically carried out by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office. Families seeking autopsy details can contact the medical examiner’s office to obtain copies. In situations where a government autopsy hasn’t taken place, families have the option of a private autopsy. Reach out to a wrongful death attorney for guidance on connecting with a pathologist for a private autopsy.

Can A Wrongful Death Attorney Help Me Obtain An Autopsy?

Yes, a wrongful death attorney can assist you in obtaining an autopsy. At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, our experienced attorneys understand the critical role an autopsy can play in determining the cause of death and supporting your claim. We can guide you through the process of requesting an autopsy from the medical examiner’s office and, if necessary, help arrange for a private autopsy. Our goal is to ensure that you have all the necessary evidence to build a strong case and seek justice for your loved one.

Wrongful Death Cases Resolved by Our Wrongful Death Attorneys

Our legal approach is centered on achieving results for our clients. Through our efforts, we have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. This financial relief has given our clients the ability to look to the future with financial security for their family and their children. These are some examples of wrongful death cases our firm has resolved:

• $4.2M Settlement – Single man in his thirties was killed in a shooting at apartment complex.  His parents were his only survivors.
• $2.6M Settlement – We represented the parents of a young man that was killed in a car crash. We brought claims for negligence and product liability against a negligent driver and a product manufacturer. After years of litigation, this matter was resolved confidentially.
• $2.5M Settlement – It was alleged that a hospital failed to respond to a patient’s medical emergency, resulting in the death of the patient.  The survivors were the patient’s children.
• $1M Settlement (insurance policy limits) – Drowning Wrongful Death Case: Man drowned in ocean while participating in in-patient drug and alcohol rehabilitation activity at the beach, leaving his wife as his only survivor. 
• $1M Settlement (insurance policy limits) – Wrongful Death Settlement for the family of a man who overdosed after being wrongly discharged from a drug and alcohol transition facility.  The survivors were the parents of the man who overdosed.

Ongoing Wrongful Death Cases

• Our law firm is actively engaged in an investigation concerning a tragic case of wrongful death of a man who died from digoxin toxicity. Over 5,000 people need emergency medical care in the United States for Digoxin toxicity.
• Our firm is currently investigating the untimely passing of a mother of three who sought medical help at the emergency room after a prolonged fever.
• We are representing the surviving wife of a man who was killed by a distracted driver in a motor vehicle crash while at work.
• We are investigating the death of a young mother that was caused by an undiagnosed infection.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Miami Wrongful Death Lawyer

No matter the complexity of your case or the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s passing, our experienced team of Miami injury attorneys is prepared to guide you through every step of the legal process. We will tirelessly pursue the compensation and justice you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we treat each client with the utmost respect, compassion, and confidentiality. We understand that every wrongful death case is unique, and our approach is always tailored to your specific needs. As we take on your legal burden, you can find comfort in knowing that you are not alone – we are here for you, providing both legal expertise and emotional support.

Your journey towards justice and closure starts with a simple conversation. Reach out to us today, and let’s discuss how we can help you protect your legal rights after the untimely loss of your loved one. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future while honoring the memory of those you hold dear.

Call our wrongful death lawyers in Miami for compassionate service today at (305) 638-4143 or complete our online form.