Archive for the 'Wrongful Death Lawsuits' Category

Wrongful Death

Published on February 28, 2011 in Wrongful Death Lawsuits. 0 Comments

Coping with the death of a loved one is stressful.  Dealing with loss can be especially difficult to accept when it results from a situation that could have been avoided. Wrongful death is death caused by the negligence, misconduct, or carelessness of another person or entity. Wrongful death actions can arise from medical malpractice, automobile accidents, nursing home abuse, drowning, shootings, airplane accidents, willful misconduct or negligence, product liability, premises liability and more.

A wrongful death lawsuit is designed to hold liable parties accountable for their actions and/or omissions and financially compensate the executor of estate (typically the family of the deceased) for the loss of a loved one. Damages that are most often sought after in wrongful death lawsuits include compensation for:

  • Funeral, burial, medical, hospital, expenses
  • Pain and suffering experienced prior to death
  • Losses incurred by the deceased’s family:
    • Loss of wages
    • Mental anguish
    • Loss of financial support
    • Loss of companionship
    • Loss of parental guidance (in cases where deceased has children).

If you have a questions as to whether or not you have a potential Florida wrongful death case, immediately contact the lawyers at 247InjuryLaw.com.

CALL US NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE 1888-984-4874

Compensation in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Florida

Published on November 14, 2010 in Wrongful Death Lawsuits. 0 Comments Tags: .

When a wrongful death lawsuit is filed in Florida, the court will decide the amount of compensation to which you are entitled. The amounts and the individuals who may receive compensation vary by case.

To do this, the court will examine quantifiable data, that which can be measured, such as:

  • the amount of money that the deceased earned;
  • the amount of money that the deceased saved;
  • the financial dependence of the survivors in relation to the deceased;
  • funeral and burial expenses; and
  • medical expenses. 

If the deceased is a minor child who is under age 18, it would be highly unlikely that the child contributed to household finances. Therefore, in this case the court would not be able to consider quantifiable data such as earnings.

Parents could recover damages for the loss of affection and companionship. “Parent” is defined as the biological mother, the acknowledged father or adoptive parents. Caretakers who are not the child’s legal parents would be unlikely to recover compensation.

If the person who suffered the wrongful death is an adult, the court might take a different approach. If the parents were dependent on their adult child for finances or valuable services, they may be able to recover damages.

The courts may also award damages based on non-economic factors for surviving parents, spouses and children of the deceased, such as: 

  • loss of companionship;
  • mental anguish;
  • pain and suffering; and
  • loss of guidance and instruction.  

To learn more about your eligibility and right to compensation through a Florida wrongful death lawsuit, you’ll want to consult with a Palm Beach wrongful death lawyer.

Contact a Palm Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer

If your loved one has suffered a wrongful death in West Palm Beach or North Palm Beach, Florida, you should contact a Palm Beach wrongful death lawyer to learn about your rights and determine liability.

24/7 Injury Law, a law firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless one of our trained wrongful death lawyers wins your case. Call now to schedule a FREE evaluation of your case – 1-888-984-4878.

Bed Sores can be Fatal

Published on September 30, 2010 in Wrongful Death Lawsuits. 0 Comments Tags: .

If you have never seen a bed sore, you might think it’s just a sore, but it’s not. In fact, bed sores can be fatal, prompting a wrongful death claim against a Florida nursing home. Also known as decubitus ulcers and pressure ulcers, bed sores are caused by immobility in bed-ridden patients and those who rely heavily on wheelchairs. 

Bed sores can range from Stage 1 to Stage 4, with Stage 4 being the worst. They develop when pressure cuts off circulation to certain body parts. For example, if a patient has been lying on their back for an extended period of time, bed sores could develop in the sacral and coccyx areas. Symptoms range from redness and swelling to loss of skin and damage to muscle, bone, tendons and joints. 

Common Causes of Bed Sores 

A few of the most common causes of bed sores include: 

  • failure of nursing home staff to turn and reposition residents every 2 hours;
  • failure to clean incontinent patients regularly; and
  • sheer force caused by nursing home residents sliding down in a bed or chair. 

Statistics verify that bed sores have been listed as the cause of death in about 8% of paraplegics. Additionally, about 1/3 of patients with bed sores die while still being hospitalized. 

If your loved one has died because of nursing home abuse, you could be entitled to compensation for more than just medical expenses. A Florida wrongful death lawyer can look at the specifics of your case and explain all of your legal options, including the possibility of seeking compensation in a Florida wrongful death claim.   

24/7 Injury Law, a law firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless one of our trained wrongful death lawyers wins your case. Call now to schedule a no-cost evaluation of your case – 888-984-4878.

Boat Captain Charged with BUI Manslaughter in May Accident

Published on June 17, 2010 in Wrongful Death Lawsuits. 0 Comments

June 14, 2010 – Delray Beach, FL – The captain of a 35-foot speedboat involved in a fatal crash that ejected 31-year old Christopher Smith into the water has been charged with Boating Under the Influence (BUI) manslaughter.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, 42-year-old Mandy Romeu was driving the boat in the Intracoastal Waterway near Atlantic Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. on May 8th when it struck a navigation marker. The boat was traveling at about 30 mph at the time of impact which threw Smith into the water. He was found dead about an hour later.

Smith’s sister, Alexandra, was also a passenger and neither she nor Romeu were injured. None of the 3 passengers were wearing life jackets during the time of the boating accident.

During an interview with police, Romeu admitted to drinking 4 glasses of rum and coke between 7 p.m. and midnight the night of the accident. When tested, he was found to have nearly twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.

Romeu was arrested following the fatal boating accident and released on $25,000 bond. He was also charged with reckless operation of a vehicle and violating navigational rules. He has no prior boating violations or citations in Florida.

As a service to the residents of South Florida, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local boating accidents. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of watercraft and marine accidents that occur in South Florida that may result in serious injury or fatalities.

Common accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Single-vessel accidents;
  • Accidents caused by hazardous water conditions; and
  • Accidents caused by intoxication or misuse of vessel.

If you have been named in this blog or you are the victim’s family member or friend and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.