What to do after a wrongful death injury
- Preserve the police report, accident report, and any medical records.
- Do not sign anything from an insurance company — including 'release for funeral expenses' forms.
- Identify who can legally bring the claim (the personal representative of the estate).
- Talk to a lawyer about preservation of evidence and the statute of limitations.
Why hire a lawyer for a wrongful death case?
Wrongful death cases combine the complexity of a serious injury claim with the legal mechanics of an estate. The right lawyer protects the family from intrusive insurer tactics and makes sure the full economic and human loss is presented.
Common injuries we see
- Fatal motor vehicle and trucking crashes
- Fatal pedestrian and bicycle incidents (note: we do not handle bicycle accident matters)
- Medical errors resulting in death
- Fatal nursing home neglect
- Fatal premises injuries
What you can recover
Florida and Georgia wrongful death statutes allow recovery for reasonable medical, hospital, and funeral expenses; lost earnings and benefits; loss of care, love, and companionship; and, in some circumstances, attorney's fees and costs. Rules differ for adults, minors, and unmarried adults without dependents.
Florida & Georgia law that affects your case
Florida and Georgia has separate wrongful death statutes for adults, for children, and for adults with no surviving spouse or dependents. The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of death, but specific rules can shift that. Notice deadlines for government defendants are far shorter.
Insurance company tactics to watch for
- Approaching the family within days of the death with a quick 'sympathy' offer.
- Asking for blanket medical authorizations.
- Disputing the deceased's earning capacity to lower the value of the loss.
How our process works
- Free, private consultation.
- Opening the estate and identifying the personal representative.
- Investigation and evidence preservation.
- Coordination with economists and life-care planners.
- Demand, negotiation, and litigation if needed.
