Wrongful Death Lawyer in Tampa
A wrongful death accident is a tragic incident in which an individual's life is prematurely and unjustly taken due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another party. If you need a wrongful death lawyer in Tampa, Papasov Law Group are experts in getting our clients the compensation they are entitled to.
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is devastating, and navigating the legal process can feel overwhelming. At Papasov Law Group, our wrongful death lawyers provide compassionate, experienced guidance to help Tampa families seek justice and secure compensation after a preventable loss.
Wrongful death cases can arise from car accidents, pedestrian or bicycle collisions, workplace incidents, medical malpractice, preventable child deaths, or criminal acts. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows surviving family members to pursue damages for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering. Successfully proving that another party’s negligence or wrongful actions caused the death requires skilled legal advocacy.
Our Tampa wrongful death attorneys work closely with investigators, medical experts, and financial professionals to build strong cases that accurately reflect your family’s losses. We are committed to holding responsible parties accountable and helping families recover the resources they need for the future.
While no compensation can replace a loved one, a wrongful death claim can provide financial relief and acknowledgment of the suffering endured by surviving family members.
If your family has lost a loved one due to negligence or wrongful conduct, contact our Tampa wrongful death lawyers today for a free consultation. Papasov Law Group is dedicated to fighting for your rights, guiding you through the legal process, and helping your family move forward with confidence.
Why Choose Pamela Papasov for Your Tampa Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is heartbreaking, and navigating the legal system during this time can feel overwhelming. At Papasov Law Group, our clients benefit from the personal attention, compassion, and dedication only a small Tampa firm can provide. We take the time to understand your family’s unique circumstances and guide you through every step of the wrongful death process.
Wrongful death cases are often complex, and insurance companies may attempt to minimize your claim. With Pamela Papasov as your Tampa wrongful death lawyer, you gain an attorney who treats your case with the care and focus it deserves, advocating for your family as if it were our own.
We work closely with medical and financial experts, investigators, and other professionals to build a thorough case that reflects the full impact of your loss. Our goal is to recover compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the emotional suffering endured by surviving family members while holding responsible parties accountable.
At Papasov Law Group, you won’t be just another case number. We provide compassionate guidance, clear communication, and a personal approach that larger firms often cannot offer.
Contact us today for a free consultation to receive the attentive, dedicated representation your family needs during this difficult time.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Tampa, Florida?
Florida law limits who can file a wrongful death claim to specific individuals to ensure the deceased’s family is properly represented.
Surviving Spouse
The deceased’s spouse has the first right to bring a wrongful death claim.
Person Selected by Heirs
If there is no spouse, the claim can be filed by the person chosen by the majority of the deceased’s heirs.
Closest Relative
When no spouse or majority selection exists, the closest adult relative—such as a child, parent, or sibling—may step in to file the claim.
Guardian of a Minor or Incompetent Person
If the person entitled to file is a minor or legally incapacitated, their guardian can act on their behalf. The guardian must be the individual best qualified to represent the minor or incapacitated person’s interests.
Only authorized individuals can pursue damages for funeral costs, lost financial support, and emotional suffering under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act. Filing through the proper claimant avoids delays, legal disputes, or dismissal of the case.
If you’re unsure who can file for your family, a Tampa wrongful death lawyer can review your situation and guide you through the legal process, ensuring your family’s rights are fully protected.
Top-Rated Tampa Wrongful Death Attorneys
At Papasov Law Group, we let our clients do the talking! We’ve earned a 5-star rating on Google, due to our next-level client service and attention to detail given to wrongful death lawsuits and other cases.
Here’s just a sample of what our clients are saying about their experience with us…
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Florida?
A wrongful death in Florida occurs when someone dies as a result of another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Florida law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering caused by the death.
Wrongful death can arise from a wide range of accidents or incidents, including:
Bicycle accidents
Boating accidents
Car, truck and motorcycle accidents
Construction accidents
Dog attacks
Medical malpractice
Pedestrian accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Swimming pool accidents
Workplace accidents
These cases often involve complex investigations to determine liability and prove that the responsible party’s actions directly caused the death. Establishing negligence or fault is essential for a successful claim.
If your family has suffered a loss due to any of these incidents, it is critical to act promptly. A knowledgeable Tampa wrongful death lawyer can evaluate your case, guide you through the legal process, and help ensure your family receives the compensation and justice you deserve.
What Are the Elements of Wrongful Death in Florida?
To establish a wrongful death claim in Florida, four key elements must be proven. Understanding these components helps families pursue justice and compensation after the loss of a loved one.
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Legal Duty
The first element requires showing that the responsible party owed a legal duty to the deceased. For example, drivers must operate vehicles safely, property owners must maintain safe premises, and medical professionals must provide competent care.
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Breach of Duty
Next, it must be demonstrated that the responsible party failed to meet their legal duty. This could include negligent driving, unsafe working conditions, medical errors, or manufacturing a defective product.
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Causation
There must be a direct link between the breach of duty and the decedent’s death. In other words, the negligent or wrongful act must have been the legal or proximate cause of the fatal injury.
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Damages
Finally, the claim must show the damages resulting from the death. This includes funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering endured by surviving family members.
Evidence Needed for a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida
Proving these elements requires thorough documentation and expert analysis. Evidence may include police or accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and forensic reports. Financial records such as pay stubs, tax returns, and employment benefits help establish economic losses. Photographs, surveillance footage, and maintenance or inspection records can demonstrate unsafe conditions or negligence. In medical malpractice cases, expert testimony is often required to show the standard of care was breached. Collecting this evidence is critical to building a strong wrongful death claim.
A skilled Tampa wrongful death lawyer can guide families through gathering and presenting this evidence to maximize the chances of securing full and fair compensation.
What Damages are Awarded in a Tampa Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The loss of a loved one is devastating, and Florida law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for both financial and emotional losses. At Papasov Law Group, our experienced Tampa wrongful death lawyers guide families through this process with compassion and diligence, ensuring each claim fully reflects the impact of the loss.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for measurable financial losses caused by the death, including:
Loss of Financial Support: Income, benefits, and future earning potential the deceased would have contributed.
Funeral and Burial Expenses: Costs associated with final arrangements.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Medical bills prior to death, transportation, and other costs directly resulting from the incident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the emotional and personal impact on surviving family members:
Loss of Companionship and Guidance: Emotional support, care, and guidance lost due to the death.
Emotional Distress: Grief, mental anguish, and the psychological impact experienced by family members.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct—such as reckless driving, unsafe workplace conditions, or criminal acts—punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior.
How Damages are Awarded
Wrongful death damages are typically awarded to the deceased’s estate, which then distributes compensation to surviving family members. The amount each family member may receive depends on their relationship to the deceased and the financial losses they experienced. For example, a surviving spouse may be entitled to a larger share of lost financial support, while children may receive damages for lost guidance, care, and companionship.
At Papasov Law Group, we provide personalized, hands-on representation for families pursuing wrongful death claims in Tampa. We carefully evaluate each case to ensure damages reflect both the estate’s financial losses and the suffering of surviving family members.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and protect your family’s rights during this difficult time.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Florida
In Tampa and the rest of Florida, most wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of the loved one’s death. This includes cases arising from negligence, medical malpractice, or intentional acts that led to the fatal injury.
Filing within this deadline is crucial because evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories can fade, and legal challenges may arise if the claim is submitted late. Missing the two-year window can result in the court dismissing your case, leaving surviving family members without recourse for financial or emotional losses.
Consulting a knowledgeable Tampa wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible ensures that your claim is properly prepared and submitted on time. Early legal guidance also helps preserve crucial evidence, identify liable parties, and calculate the full range of damages your family may be entitled to under Florida law.
Acting promptly safeguards your family’s rights and gives you the best chance of recovering fair compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering.
More FAQs About Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Tampa
If you have any questions about wrongful death claims in Florida that aren’t answered here, please feel free to contact us and we’ll get back to you with an answer as soon as possible:
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In Florida, only certain individuals are authorized to file a wrongful death claim. The law prioritizes the surviving spouse as the first person eligible to pursue compensation. If there is no spouse, the person chosen by the majority of the deceased’s heirs may file. When neither a spouse nor a majority decision exists, the closest adult relative—such as a child, parent, or sibling—can step in. Additionally, if a minor or legally incompetent person would have the right to file, their guardian can act on their behalf. Understanding who can file is critical because only authorized claimants can pursue damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act.
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There is no set “average” settlement for wrongful death claims in Florida, as outcomes depend heavily on the circumstances of each case. Factors that influence the amount include the decedent’s age, earning capacity, health, and the financial impact on surviving family members. The nature of the accident or incident, the degree of negligence or misconduct, and available insurance coverage also play a significant role. While settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, each case is unique. Consulting a skilled Tampa wrongful death lawyer can help estimate potential damages based on your family’s situation.
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The timeline for a wrongful death lawsuit varies widely depending on case complexity, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles out of court. Many claims take 12 to 24 months from filing to resolution, while more complicated cases—such as those involving multiple parties, serious disputes over liability, or extensive damages—can take longer. Early investigation, gathering evidence, and working with experts can help streamline the process, but patience is often required.
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Florida Statute 768.20 is the state law that governs wrongful death claims. It outlines who is eligible to file, the types of damages that can be recovered, and how damages are distributed among heirs. The statute allows compensation for economic losses such as lost financial support and funeral expenses, as well as non-economic damages like emotional suffering and loss of companionship. Statute 768.20 also provides guidance on liability, including cases arising from negligence, medical malpractice, or intentional acts.
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Wrongful death cases can be complex, but they are winnable with strong evidence and skilled legal representation. Success depends on proving four key elements: the defendant owed a legal duty to the decedent, the duty was breached, the breach directly caused the death, and damages resulted. Evidence may include accident reports, medical records, financial documentation, and expert testimony. Working with an experienced Tampa wrongful death lawyer improves the likelihood of a successful claim by ensuring evidence is properly gathered and presented, and that all potential damages are pursued.
Hire a Tampa Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
If your family has lost a loved one due to negligence or intentional actions, Papasov Law Group can help. Our Tampa wrongful death attorneys investigate claims, identify all responsible parties, and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
You don’t pay anything unless we win!