If you lost your loved one in an accident because of someone’s negligent actions, contact the Tampa personal injury attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers right now. You might be entitled to compensation for various expenses and the emotional suffering you endured. We could represent you in your case to hold the negligent individual or company liable.
It is your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party for the costs you incurred since your loved one’s death. Someone else put your family member’s life at risk and should suffer the consequences of their actions. You should not have to pay for the medical bills or burial expenses out of pocket. The negligent person or entity should be financially responsible, so you don’t face economic burdens.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, our wrongful death attorneys in Tampa, FL, know the challenges ahead as you pursue legal action. Coping with the death of a loved one is overwhelming, especially if you find out the accident was avoidable. You won’t have to face this difficult ordeal alone. We will handle every legal aspect and try to resolve your case favorably. You can count on us to be the advocate you need and fight by your side for justice.
Call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (813) 605-1100 or reach out to us online for your free consultation and learn more about your available options.
Common Types of Tampa Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
Florida statute § 768.19 defines wrongful death as a person’s death that was caused by someone else’s wrongful act, breach of contract or warranty, negligence, or default. Anyone could sustain a fatal injury under various circumstances. When someone dies in an accident, the personal representative of the deceased can pursue a wrongful death claim or lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family, such as a spouse or child.
The Tampa wrongful death attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers can represent you in your lawsuit against the at-fault party for your relative’s death resulting from a(n):
- boat accident
- car accident
- birth injury
- premises liability case
- elder abuse incident
- truck accident
- pedestrian accident
- bicycle accident
- airplane accident
- child injury
- motorcycle accident
- dog bite
If your family member passed away in any of the above scenarios, do not hesitate to contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers. We can review the facts of your case and create a plan that could achieve your desired result.
Common Causes of Florida Wrongful Death Cases
Accidents are common. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to prevent them. However, there are situations when someone’s negligence contributes to a person’s death.
Multiple factors can cause someone’s fatal injury or death in an accident. The most common causes of wrongful death are listed below.
Premises Liability
Poorly maintained properties can cause accidents. A guest could suffer a fatal injury from various hazards on commercial or residential property. The homeowner or business owner could be liable if someone dies due to factors such as:
- Collapsed roof from unrepaired structural damage
- Malfunctioning elevator or escalator
- Inadequate lighting in a dark area
- Defective stairs
- Lack of fire protection equipment
- Missing or damaged railings on a balcony
Learn more about Tampa Premises Liability Cases
Boat Accidents
Tampa has many bodies of water for boating, swimming, and other activities. You can take your boat out on the Hillsborough River to fish, enjoy a sunset cruise on Tampa Bay, or swim at the beach. Unfortunately, boating comes with many risks. The most common causes of boat accidents include:
- Speeding
- Operator distractions
- Operator inattention
- Poorly maintained vessel
- Improper lookout
Learn more about Tampa Boat Accident Cases
Car Accidents
In 2020, 38,824 people died in fatal motor vehicle accidents. Driver error is one of the most common factors that contribute to fatal car crashes. Errors can include:
- Tailgating
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence
Learn more about Tampa Car Accident Cases
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck drivers must follow all state and federal laws to prevent accidents. Inexperienced and reckless truckers can lose control and crash into nearby cars. Large trucks often cause massive destruction and life-threatening injuries to the occupants of other vehicles.
The most common causes of deadly truck accidents include:
- Incorrectly loading cargo onto the truck
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Speeding
- Taking a sharp turn too fast
- Sudden braking or maneuvering
- Failing to check blind spots
- Fatigued driving
Learn more about Tampa Truck Accident Cases
Birth Injuries
Healthcare professionals are supposed to monitor the mother and baby during pregnancy and delivery. The baby could die at any stage of gestation or during birth from a medical error, such as:
- Failure to diagnose and address a complication
- Performing a Cesarean section late
- Failure to detect fetal distress
- Administering the wrong dose of a drug
- Pulling on the baby with too much force during delivery
Learn more about Tampa Birth Injury Cases
Pedestrian Accidents
Foot traffic is common in parking lots, school zones, crosswalks, and sidewalks. Pedestrians have the right of way in many situations. Drivers must slow down and stop so a pedestrian can proceed across the street. Accidents can happen if a motorist ignores a street sign or doesn’t stop at a crosswalk.
The most common causes of pedestrian fatalities include:
- Backing out of a parking space without checking behind the car for pedestrians
- Speeding through a parking lot
- Approaching a crosswalk without slowing down to look for someone about to enter
- Texting while driving and drifting onto a nearby sidewalk
- Turning right at a red light without looking for anyone attempting to cross the road
Learn more about Tampa Pedestrian Accident Cases
Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents
Accidents involving cars and trucks can be fatal to bicyclists and motorcyclists. Riders are out in the open and don’t have the protection of an airbag or seatbelt. Common causes of bicycle and motorcycle accidents include:
- Vehicles swerving into a nearby bicycle lane to avoid a pothole
- Vehicles sideswiping a rider while passing by too closely
- Vehicles turning left at an intersection without checking for approaching bikers or motorcyclists
- Opening the door of a parked vehicle in the path of a rider
Learn more about Tampa Motorcycle Accident Cases
Learn more about Tampa Bicycle Accident Cases
Elder Abuse
Residents in nursing homes and other community settings can be victims of abuse. Caretakers and other trusted individuals are typically the ones who abuse older adults. The most common causes of elder abuse in assisted living facilities and nursing homes include:
- An understaffed nursing home
- Poorly trained and supervised employees
- A caretaker’s psychological problems, inexperience caring for an elderly person, or history of violence
- Management’s negligent hiring of nurses and other staff members
Learn more about Tampa Elder Abuse Cases
Airplane Accidents
Although aircraft are relatively safe, accidents can happen. A plane could crash if it runs out of fuel or while the pilot attempts to land during adverse weather conditions. Fatalities can also occur aboard the aircraft if a crew member’s negligence causes an accident. The most common causes of airplane accidents include:
- Miscommunication between the air traffic control and the pilot
- A faulty latch on an overhead bin
- Pilot error
- Malfunctioning parts or equipment on the plane
Learn more about Tampa Airplane Accident Cases
Child Injuries
Teenagers and young children could suffer a fatal injury in an accident someone else causes. A child could encounter dangerous conditions at a restaurant or get hurt in a car crash. The most common causes of child injuries in wrongful death cases include:
- Drowning at a public swimming pool that doesn’t have a lifeguard
- Motor vehicle accident
- Unstable furniture falling over onto the child
- Asphyxiating on a small part for a toy that’s missing warning labels
Learn more about Tampa Child Injury Cases
Dog Bites and Attacks
Dogs don’t usually attack without someone provoking them. Teasing a dog with a toy could cause it to lunge and bite down on the person’s hand. A dog might also attack if they perceive someone’s actions as aggressive.
There are situations when a dog will bite someone for no reason at all. The dog’s owner could be liable for injuries for an attack the victim did not provoke.
If your loved one’s death resulted from any of the above scenarios, contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers so we can begin our investigation into the accident.
Learn more about Tampa Dog Bite Cases
Compensation for Wrongful Death
In other states, surviving family, such as a spouse or child, can file a lawsuit for the death of a loved one. However, Florida law only allows the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
The compensation you receive could compensate you and the estate for losses, such as:
- Loss of a surviving child’s companionship, guidance, and instruction the deceased parent provided
- Mental pain and suffering
- Funeral and medical expenses paid by a family member or the estate
- Loss of companionship and protection the deceased can no longer provide
- Lost income and benefits between the date of the injury and death
- Loss of support and services provided by the deceased
- The value of income and benefits the deceased could have expected to earn and leave to family members if they lived
Punitive damages might be available if you file a lawsuit against the company or person responsible for your loved one’s death. To receive this form of compensation, you must provide clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Cases
According to Florida statute § 95.11(4)(d), the statute of limitations for wrongful death allows a two-year timeframe. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date your loved one died to seek compensation. You could lose your right to hold the negligent party liable if the statutory period expires before you file.
Get a Free Consultation from one of our Tampa Wrongful Death Lawyers
The Tampa wrongful death attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers will fight for your rights while handling your wrongful death case. We believe in representing clients whose loved ones died due to others’ wrongdoing. You will be our priority throughout the entire legal process.
If your loved one died in Tampa because of someone else’s negligence, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (813) 605-1100 for your free consultation today.
