Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one because of another person’s negligence is one of the most painful experiences a family can face. In Fort Lauderdale, fatal accidents occur on busy roadways, at construction sites, in medical facilities, and in other settings where someone’s carelessness changes everything. When negligence causes a wrongful death, Florida law may give surviving family members the right to pursue compensation for their losses. A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer at th e Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato may be able to help your family understand your legal options and pursue accountability.

Our attorneys have recovered over $200 million for injury victims and their families across Florida. We work on a contingency-fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. Call 844-643-7200 for a free case evaluation.

What to Do After a Wrongful Death in Fort Lauderdale

If your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, the steps you take in the days that follow may affect your ability to pursue a claim. Here is what to consider:

1. Seek and preserve documentation of any medical treatment your loved one received before their passing.
2. Collect and protect available evidence — accident or incident reports, photographs, and witness contact information.
3. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
4. Gather financial records showing lost income, funeral expenses, and other related costs.
5. Speak with a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death attorney as soon as possible — Florida’s filing deadline may limit your family’s options.

Taking these steps early may help preserve the evidence needed to build a strong claim. If you are unsure where to begin, the team at Wolf & Pravato is available to guide your family through the process. Call 844-643-7200 — there is no fee unless we win.

Understanding Florida Wrongful Death Law

Wrongful death claims in Florida are governed by the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statutes §§ 768.16–768.26). This law allows the personal representative of a deceased person’s estate to pursue compensation on behalf of surviving family members when death results from another party’s negligence, wrongful act, default, or breach of duty.

The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to hold negligent parties accountable and to compensate the family for both the financial and emotional losses caused by the unexpected death. These claims are civil actions, entirely separate from any criminal charges that may arise from the same incident. You can review our Florida wrongful death lawyers page for a broader overview of how these cases work across the state.

Who May File a Claim

Under Florida law, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may file the wrongful death lawsuit. The claim is pursued on behalf of eligible surviving family members, which may include:

• The surviving spouse
• Children of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased (in certain circumstances)
• Other blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were dependent on the deceased

What Must Be Proven

To establish a wrongful death claim in Florida, the following elements generally must be demonstrated:

• Duty of care — The defendant owed a legal duty to the deceased.
• Breach of duty — The defendant failed to meet that duty through negligence or wrongful conduct.
• Causation — The breach directly caused or substantially contributed to the death.
• Damages — The death resulted in quantifiable losses for surviving family members.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney team is experienced in applying these standards across a wide range of negligence scenarios.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale’s dense traffic corridors, active construction zones, and busy healthcare facilities create conditions that may lead to fatal accidents. According to publicly available Florida crash data, traffic fatalities remain a significant concern across Broward County. Common circumstances that may give rise to a wrongful death claim include:

• Motor vehicle accidents on I-95, I-595, and surrounding roadways
• Truck and commercial vehicle crashes
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents at intersections or crosswalks
• Medical malpractice or hospital negligence
• Slip and fall accidents on dangerous property
• Defective products or unsafe equipment
• Drowning accidents at pools or waterways
• Criminal acts of violence

If a situation could have supported a personal injury claim, it may support a wrongful death action if the victim did not survive. If a vehicle collision was involved in your loved one’s death, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer or truck crash lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help evaluate your family’s options.

Compensation Available in a Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Claim

Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, Florida law allows families to seek a range of damages depending on the relationship between the surviving family member and the deceased. Compensation is divided into two primary categories.

Economic Damages

These are measurable financial losses, which may include:

• Medical expenses incurred between the injury and the death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of the financial support the deceased would have provided
• Loss of future income, benefits, and earning capacity
• Value of household services the deceased would have performed

Non-Economic Damages

These reflect personal and emotional losses suffered by surviving family members, which may include:

• Loss of companionship and society
• Pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress
• Loss of parental guidance and instruction (for surviving children)
• Loss of care and protection

The specific damages available to each family member depend on their relationship with the deceased and the facts of the case. An attorney can help identify which family members may be entitled to which types of compensation.

How the Wrongful Death Claim Process Works in Florida

Wrongful death cases in Florida generally follow a structured process. While every case is different, here is how a claim typically proceeds when you work with our team:

1. Consultation and eligibility review — We assess whether the circumstances support a wrongful death claim and confirm the personal representative of the estate.
2. Investigation and evidence gathering — Our team collects medical records, accident or incident reports, witness statements, and, when appropriate, opinions from medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists.
3. Calculating your family’s damages — We work to document every economic and non-economic loss your family has suffered, including financial support, funeral costs, and emotional harm.
4. Demand and insurance negotiation — We submit a formal demand package to the at-fault party’s insurer and negotiate for a fair resolution. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts; our attorneys are prepared to push back.
5. Filing a lawsuit if necessary — If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take the case to the Broward County courthouse and argue it before a jury.

Our goal throughout this process is to handle the legal work so your family can focus on healing.

Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Fort Lauderdale

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline may permanently bar your family from pursuing compensation in court.

There are limited exceptions that may pause or extend this period in certain circumstances, but these situations are fact-specific and should not be relied upon without legal guidance. Because evidence can be difficult to preserve as time passes and witnesses’ memories fade, speaking with an attorney as early as possible is strongly advisable.

Important: Florida’s wrongful death filing deadline is strictly enforced. If you believe you may have a claim, contacting a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer promptly may protect your family’s right to pursue compensation. Call 844-643-7200 to discuss your situation.

Why Families in Fort Lauderdale Choose Wolf & Pravato

The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato has served injury victims and their families across Florida with 75+ years of combined legal experience. We understand that no amount of compensation can replace a loved one — but holding a negligent party accountable may provide financial stability and a measure of justice for your family.

When you work with our wrongful death team, we can:

• Conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and gather supporting evidence
• Coordinate with medical experts, financial advisors, and accident reconstruction specialists
• Calculate your family’s full economic and non-economic damages
• Handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf
• Manage legal deadlines and required paperwork throughout the process
• Represent your family in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached

We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency-fee basis. You owe no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for your family. You can also review our case results to understand the types of matters our firm has handled.

Licensed and Trusted Legal Representation

Wolf & Pravato is led by experienced Florida personal injury attorney Richard Paul Pravato, who has been a member in good standing with The Florida Bar since 1996. His credentials and active licensing can be independently verified through his official Florida Bar profile: https://www.floridabar.org/mybarprofile/86150

In addition to his extensive experience, Richard Pravato is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney—a prestigious distinction awarded by The Florida Bar to attorneys who demonstrate exceptional expertise, skill, and professionalism in civil trial law. This elite certification reflects our firm’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of legal representation to clients in wrongful death cases throughout Fort Lauderdale.

Speak With a Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If your family has lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue compensation under Florida law. The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato serves families throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, and our team is ready to help you understand your options.

📞 Call 844-643-7200 — No fee unless we win. Free case evaluation available at wolfandpravato.com/contact-us/

Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Lauderdale Wrongful Death

What qualifies as a wrongful death in Fort Lauderdale?

Under Florida Statutes § 768.19, a wrongful death is a death caused by the negligent, reckless, wrongful, or intentional act of another party. If the deceased could have filed a personal injury claim had they survived, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death action. An attorney can help evaluate whether the specific circumstances qualify.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale?

Only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may file the wrongful death claim on behalf of eligible family members. Eligible beneficiaries may include a surviving spouse, children, parents, or other dependents. The representative is either named in the deceased’s estate plan or appointed by the court.

How long do wrongful death cases take in Broward County?

The timeline varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the responsiveness of the insurance company, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Some cases resolve through settlement in several months; others may take a year or more if they proceed to trial. An attorney can give you a clearer estimate based on the specific facts involved.

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, the general deadline is two years from the date of death. There are limited exceptions, but because missing the deadline can permanently bar recovery, speaking with an attorney promptly is strongly advisable.

Can my family file a wrongful death claim even if no criminal charges were filed?

Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action, entirely separate from any criminal proceeding. The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case, and a family may still pursue a wrongful death claim even if the responsible party was acquitted or was never charged at all.

What damages can surviving family members recover?

Florida’s wrongful death law allows families to seek economic damages — including medical costs, funeral expenses, and lost financial support — as well as non-economic damages such as loss of companionship, emotional suffering, and loss of parental guidance. The damages available depend on each family member’s relationship with the deceased.

How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney in Fort Lauderdale?

The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato handles wrongful death cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for your family. For a free case evaluation, contact our team at 844-643-7200.