Losing someone you love is heart-wrenching. Trying to get through each day and find joy without their companionship can be overwhelming. Learning that their death may have been preventable often makes this situation even harder to bear. When you discover that your loved one died because of someone else’s reckless and preventable error, you deserve justice.

During this difficult time, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer who is a part of the local community. A compassionate Delray Beach wrongful death lawyer could offer you timely advice and help you pursue compensation and accountability on behalf of your lost loved one.

Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Delray Beach

A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of civil claim that allows surviving family members to pursue financial compensation if their loved one dies an untimely death because of another person or entity’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongful act. Family members could gain some comfort from holding the responsible party accountable. Because a wrongful death suit is a civil claim, the responsible party would not face jail time or other criminal penalties. Instead, if they are found liable, they would need to pay money to the deceased person’s family.

Wrongful death suits can involve deaths resulting from accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes, medical malpractice, defective products, slips and falls, or animal attacks. They can also involve intentional criminal acts of violence, such as stabbings, domestic assaults, and shootings. In cases involving homicides, families can file civil wrongful death suits even if the responsible party is currently a defendant in a criminal trial based on the same incident. The level of proof required for a civil claim is significantly lower than criminal prosecution. Our local legal team could sit down with a grieving family to let them know if pursuing a wrongful death claim is a viable option.

Who Can File Wrongful Death Suits?

An untimely death can have a tragic effect on anyone who knew the deceased. Family members, neighbors, coworkers, and friends might grieve the sudden loss and have a difficult time returning to their everyday lives. However, not every grieving person is eligible to pursue legal action on behalf of the deceased.

When someone passes away due to negligence, state law only permits the personal representative of that person’s estate to bring a wrongful death claim on their behalf. The deceased person’s spouse, children, and parents typically fall into this category and have the right to recover damages. In addition, any other blood or adoptive siblings or relatives who can prove they were dependent on the decedent for financial support might be eligible to pursue compensation. If a family member has questions about whether they can collect damages through a wrongful death claim, they should meet with a knowledgeable attorney in Delray Beach.

Contact a Delray Beach Wrongful Death Attorney

Untimely deaths are undeniably tragic. In addition to dealing with your grief, you might also have concerns about your financial situation. If your family relied on your deceased loved one for financial support or caregiving services, you might be facing a tough transition. Pursuing a civil claim might give your family the best chance of rebuilding your lives.

The team at Aronberg & Aronberg is here to support you. Speak with a Delray Beach wrongful death lawyer today about bringing a legal claim for damages.