Any preventable, untimely death is a tragedy. But under Florida law, a wrongful death is any death that was caused by someone else's negligent, illegal or otherwise intentional and wrongful actions. Most often, this is not a crime like murder, but the result of simple carelessness, such as drunk driving, neglect at a nursing home or medical malpractice. Because wrongfully killed people can no longer sue the wrongdoers, immediate family members have the right in Florida to bring wrongful death lawsuits on their behalf. Family members who may bring a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawsuit include the deceased person's spouse (husband or wife), children (adult or minor), parents and any other blood or adoptive relatives that depended on the person for financial support.

Many different types of accidents may cause wrongful deaths, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Accidents at construction sites or other workplaces
• Medical malpractice
• Airplane and helicopter crashes
• Boating and cruise ship accidents
• Violent crime caused by inadequate security
• Abuse & neglect at nursing homes
• Defective consumer products

Many families resist the idea of a wrongful death claim at first, believing that no amount of money can ever bring back their loved one. Unfortunately, that's true. However, many families that have suffered a wrongful death discover that their losses are financial as well as emotional. Medical care, funeral expenses and other accident-related costs can all add up quickly. If the lost family member was also a wage-earner, the family may suddenly and unexpectedly lose income and benefits, leaving it with little way to pay these bills. A Miami wrongful death lawsuit can give family members a way to pay these and other costs related to the death. It can also compensate the family for:

• A lifetime's worth of lost earnings and employment benefits
• Loss of any inheritance expected
• Loss of a loved one's love, protection and companionship
• Family members' own grief and pain
• If appropriate, punitive damages, which are payments intended to punish very serious and clear wrongdoing

Wrongful death cases in Florida can be both emotionally and legally complicated, requiring attorneys to estimate and prove a lifetime of earnings and other financial losses. Balliro has a decade of experience handling complex, high-stakes cases, at the negotiating table and in a court of law. Our West Palm Beach wrongful death attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who have taken hundreds of cases to trial. We understand that families with a wrongful death come to us at a difficult time, and we are committed to treating them with compassion and respect -- while getting them the best possible financial compensation.

If you have lost a loved one because of someone else's carelessness, you should talk to Balliro about your legal rights and your options. To set up a free, confidential consultation, please call us toll-free from anywhere within Florida at 1-866-INJURED -- 24 hours a day and seven days a week -- or contact us online today.