Questions to Ask Yourself After the Untimely Death of a Loved One

Nothing about losing a loved one is easy, and there is nothing that anyone can say or do to make your pain go away. There is also no amount of money that can replace what you have lost; and, while your family may be entitled to “just compensation,” the reality is that there is nothing “just” about losing a loved one too soon, and no amount of money can ever “compensate” for a family member’s death.

Yet, after a fatal accident, asserting your legal rights is important. The person or company that is to blame needs to be held accountable, and your family needs to make sure it has the financial resources that will be necessary for the future. As a result, it is important that you speak with a wrongful death attorney in Florida, and that you do what is necessary to file a successful wrongful death claim.

5 Questions to Ask When You Need to File a Claim for Wrongful Death

If you believe that your loved one’s death may have been the result of someone else’s negligence or a product failure, then you will absolutely want to speak with an attorney about your family’s legal rights. Here are five questions that will be important for you to answer as you move forward:

1. Who is Your Loved One’s Personal Representative?

Under Florida law, only the decedent’s personal representative is eligible to file a wrongful death claim. The personal representative files on behalf of the family and eligible family members will receive payments if the claim is successful. If your loved one left a will, the will should designate a personal representative. If not, then a personal representative will need to be appointed through the Florida courts.

2. What Information Do You Have About the Accident?

It will be important for you to collect any and all information you have about your loved one’s accident or the issue that you suspect led to his or her death (i.e. a product defect or medical mistake). Gather any records you have in your possession, and take notes to share with your attorney.

3. What Costs have You Incurred (and Will You Incur) as a Result of Your Loved One’s Death?

If you have incurred any direct financial costs as a result of your loved one’s death, make note of these as well, and be sure to keep any receipts or other records you may have. You will also need to prepare a list of the financial costs you expect to incur in the future.

4. How Else Will Your Loved One’s Death Impact Your Life?

How will the loss of your loved one impact your life going forward? We know this is an extremely difficult question to answer for a variety of different reasons, but this is information your attorney will need in order to secure a financial recovery on your behalf.

5. How Much Do You Know About Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?

Finally, if you are like most people, you have never had a reason to learn about Florida’s wrongful death laws – until now. For an overview of what you need to know, we encourage you to read: Wrongful Death Claims in Florida: Fast Facts & FAQs.

Speak with a Wrongful Death Attorney in Florida for Free

If you need to speak with a wrongful death attorney in Florida, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Searcy Denney. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call 800-780-8607 or get in touch with us online today.