When a loved one dies, it is never easy for those left behind. When such a death occurs due to the negligent or deliberate actions of others, it is even more shocking and difficult. In these cases, family survivors may file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against the party responsible for their loss. If you have lost a loved one in such circumstances in or around Tampa, getting experienced legal guidance is crucial.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we know how traumatic a wrongful death situation can be for you and your family. Our firm has helped innumerable individuals and families in the wake of serious accidents and other incidents resulting in all types of injuries and death since 1997. We know how vital your needs may be in regards to legal action which can help to bring closure and properly compensate you for your emotional and financial losses.
While your loved one can never be restored you, we can help protect your legal rights and fight aggressively on your behalf for the damages needed to help you move forward without financial jeopardy. Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (813) 553-5352 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no obligation consultation with a Tampa personal injury attorney today or visit us at our offices: 5440 Mariner St, Unit 211, Tampa, FL 33609.
My case couldn't have been handled better. It was handled in a timely manner - it wasn't rushed. If something ever happened again and I needed an attorney, Steinger, Greene & Feiner would be the first place I would go.
Susan D.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Tampa
Wrongful death can be any incident involving negligence. Any time someone’s failure to follow their expected duty of care causes the death of a close family member, you have the option to pursue a wrongful death claim or file a lawsuit against them.
With that said, some causes of wrongful death in Tampa are more common than others. You can review the most frequent incidents that tend to lead to a wrongful death below.
Car Accidents
Car accidents in the Tampa area are incredibly common. Hillsborough County saw 29,037 car accidents in 2018, which led to 176 deaths. Any time someone’s mistakes or their failure to obey road laws leads to a loved one’s death, you have the potential to file a car accident-related wrongful death claim.
Pedestrian Accidents
Florida has some of the deadliest roads in the country for pedestrians, and the Tampa area is one of the leading areas for pedestrian deaths. A study found that the St. Petersburg/Tampa metro area had the ninth-worst per capita rate of pedestrian deaths in the country. Many fatal pedestrian accidents are caused by driver mistakes, including drivers who were speeding or under the influence of alcohol.
Motorcycle Accidents
The Tampa area has a high number of fatal motorcycle accidents. Florida was also the #1 state for fatal motorcycle accidents in 2016, according to federal data.
Bicycle Accidents
The Tampa area leads the nation in bicycle accident deaths. Pinellas County has a high concentration of intersections that are known to be dangerous for cyclists, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Hillsborough has a high rate of these fatal accidents, as well.
Medical Malpractice
Errors in surgery, misdiagnosis, and other mistakes can count as medical malpractice when the practitioner failed to follow the standards set by their profession. A medical malpractice lawsuit becomes a wrongful death lawsuit when treatment mistakes lead to the death of a loved one. These cases can include instances of hospital-borne infections resulting from negligent medical staff.
Dangerous Drugs and Defective Products
Some products have defects that can be so dangerous as to take the life of their user. This includes dangerous drugs that are released to the market in a deadly form or that are marketed in a way to mislead individuals into thinking they were safe. Florida’s strict liability defective products laws make it easier than in some states to prove that the manufacturer or distributor of the product was responsible.
Construction, Workplace, and Industrial Accidents
Employees cannot legally sue their employers or file a claim except through workers’ compensation. However, in the event of wrongful death, surviving family members can identify third parties who are partially or completely responsible for the death, including property owners, the manufacturers of dangerous machinery, and other third parties.
Negligent Property Owners
Some property owners have property defects that could have led to the death of the tenant or a visitor. These laws often relate to cases of long-term asbestos exposure, structural collapse, or inadequate preparedness for a natural disaster.
Nursing Home Neglect
When an older loved one isn’t properly cared for, their health can take a quick downward spiral. Being able to point to lapses in care and safety of skilled nursing facility care providers can potentially turn a premature death into a wrongful death claim.
Criminal Acts
Intentional acts of violence can lead to a civil case in addition to criminal penalties. In many cases where a loved one has been killed in a violent act, the surviving family members can file a negligent security claim to hold property owners who failed to provide adequate safety responsible.
Legal Options Available to You
Those who cause the deaths of others due to negligence or wrongful actions may be held legally responsible. These parties can include individuals as well as business entities or even governmental agencies. Wrongful deaths can occur as a result of accidents, such as traffic crashes, slip and fall incidents, and drowning as well as through medical malpractice, vicious dog attacks, criminal attacks, and more
Under Florida law, family survivors, as well as the personal representative for the decedent’s estate, may seek damages for wrongful deaths through court action. Family survivors can include:
- The surviving spouse
- Minor children of the decedent
- Parents of a deceased child
Compensation awarded by the court can include all of the decedent’s medical expenses incurred by the accident which resulted in death, funeral and burial expenses, family survivors’ loss of companionship and protection, pain and suffering from the date of the injury, and loss of earnings and financial support that the decedent would have earned for survivors if he or she had not died.
Because many of these damages can be difficult to quantify, their determination by the court can be problematic. Expert witness testimony, such as from financial experts and other professionals, may be needed to substantiate your case. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we are well-versed in what is required to build a strong case in wrongful death actions. We can aggressively negotiate a settlement outside of court or where necessary take your case to a judge and jury.
Call Now to Arrange a FREE Consultation
Our firm is highly experienced in handling all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. We have the necessary resources, determination, and legal ability to thoroughly pursue your case no matter how complex. We will start by sitting down with you in a free case consultation to evaluate your potential wrongful death action and give you the answers and guidance you need to move forward. Contact us to schedule a FREE case evaluation today: (813) 553-5352. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers fight relentlessly for your settlement and, when necessary, aren’t afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury.
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