When a life has been lost through the wrongful act of another, the deceased's estate and survivors are entitled to be compensated. Florida has a Wrongful Death Act, F.S. 768.16, which sets out the damages recoverable by the estate and survivors. The action is brought by the Personal Representative of the estate, who shall secure recovery for the estate and all survivors. Damages include loss of support and services to survivors, the loss of companionship, protection and mental pain and suffering for a surviving spouse, mental pain and suffering for children age 25 or under and for all children if there is no surviving spouse.
The estate of the deceased may recover for lost earnings and loss of the net accumulations the deceased would have been able to earn had he/she survived.
The proper handling of a wrongful death case takes both skill and experience. Bradford L. Jefferson has successfully handled many wrongful death claims.