When you've lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence in Tampa, you need a compassionate and skilled Tampa wrongful death attorney to guide you through this difficult time.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we've been advocating for families affected by wrongful death for more than 30 years. Our dedicated lawyers are committed to helping you pursue the justice and compensation your family deserves during this heartbreaking period.
Contact us today for a free consultation at (813) 915-1110.
Tampa Wrongful Death Guide
Why Choose Hancock Injury Attorneys for Your Tampa Wrongful Death Case?
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we bring decades of experience to wrongful death claims. Our team is ready to support you day or night, addressing your concerns with empathy and understanding. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won't owe us anything unless we win your case. You can rely on us to handle your wrongful death claim with the care and dedication your family needs during this challenging time.
Our Tampa office is conveniently located near Dorset Lake and Hamner Tower Park, making us easily reachable for clients across the Tampa Bay region. We selected this central spot to ensure that high-caliber legal representation is always close at hand for those who need it.
Compensation Available in Tampa Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases often involve profound emotional and financial losses for the surviving family members. If you lose a loved one because of another party's negligent actions, you may seek compensation for various damages. The potential recoverable losses in a wrongful death claim can be extensive, encompassing economic and non-economic damages.
Funeral and Burial
Funeral and burial expenses are often the immediate financial burden families face. Compensation can cover these costs, alleviating some of the financial stress during an already difficult time.
Depending on the arrangements, these expenses can be substantial, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Compensation for these costs ensures families can honor their loved ones without incurring significant debt.
Medical Bills
Medical expenses incurred prior to your loved one's passing, including emergency care, hospital stays, and any treatments, may also be recoverable. This can include costs for ambulance services, intensive care, surgeries, medications, and any specialized treatments attempted to save your loved one's life. Even if these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, the financial burden of these medical interventions should not fall on the grieving family.
Financial Support of the Deceased
Lost financial support is another significant aspect of wrongful death compensation. This includes the income your loved one would have contributed to the family and benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions. For some families, this can mean compensation for the loss of a lifelong provider.
Calculating lost financial support often considers the deceased's age, career trajectory, and potential future earnings. This ensures that families are compensated not just for immediate lost income but for the long-term financial security that was lost with their loved one's passing.
Lost Non-Economic Support
Loss of companionship and guidance is a form of non-economic damage that recognizes the immeasurable value of your loved one's presence in your life. This can include the loss of parental guidance for children, the loss of spousal companionship, and the overall impact on family relationships.
While it's impossible to put a monetary value on these losses, the law recognizes their significance and allows for compensation. This can cover the loss of shared experiences, emotional support, and the unique bond shared with the deceased.
Emotional Suffering
Emotional suffering endured by the surviving family members is another form of non-economic damage that may be considered. The profound grief and mental anguish experienced after losing a loved one unexpectedly can have lasting impacts on the family's well-being.
This can manifest as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other psychological effects. Compensation for emotional suffering acknowledges the deep, often long-lasting trauma that accompanies an unexpected loss.
In some cases, if the deceased experienced pain and suffering before their passing, compensation for this suffering may be pursued as part of the estate's claim. This ensures the responsible party is held accountable for all harm caused, even if the victim did not survive. This can include compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and fear experienced by the victim in their final moments or days.
The specific compensation your family may receive depends on the unique circumstances of your case. Factors such as the age and earning capacity of the deceased, the nature of your relationship, and the details of the incident all play a role in determining the final compensation amount.
For instance, the loss of a young parent with small children might result in higher compensation for lost future earnings and loss of parental guidance compared to the loss of an elderly retiree.
We Accurately Calculate Your Losses
Our experienced Tampa wrongful death lawyers at Hancock Injury Attorneys will evaluate all aspects of your claim to pursue the maximum recovery possible for your family's losses.
We collaborate with expert witnesses and life care planners to fully assess the long-term financial impact of your loved one's passing, ensuring that we account for all current and future damages in your claim.
These experts can provide detailed projections of lost future earnings, considering factors such as career advancement, inflation, and changes in the job market. They can also help quantify the value of lost benefits and household services the deceased would have provided, such as childcare, home maintenance, or elder care for aging parents.
In addition to economic experts, we may work with mental health professionals to document the psychological impact of the loss on your family. This can help illustrate the extent of emotional suffering and support claims for non-economic damages.
We understand that no amount of compensation can truly replace your loved one or fully heal the emotional wounds of their loss. However, pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide financial security for your family's future and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. This accountability can sometimes lead to changes that prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Seeking Full Compensation for Your Loss
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we approach each wrongful death case with the utmost sensitivity and respect for your family's grief. We strive to handle the legal issues in your case, allowing you the space to mourn and begin the healing process. Our goal is to secure a settlement or verdict that honors your loved one's memory and provides for your family's future needs.
We're also prepared to act within Florida's wrongful death statutes, which specify who can bring a claim and what damages are recoverable. These laws can be nuanced, with different rules depending on whether the deceased left behind a spouse, children, or other dependents. Our thorough understanding of these laws ensures that we pursue all available avenues of compensation for your family.
In cases where the responsible party's actions were particularly egregious, we may also pursue punitive damages. While not available in all cases, punitive damages punish extreme negligence or intentional misconduct and can significantly increase the overall compensation awarded.
It's worth noting that wrongful death cases can involve multiple responsible parties, depending on the circumstances of the fatal incident. This can lead to more complex legal proceedings but may also result in more comprehensive compensation, as multiple insurance policies can be involved.
For example, in a fatal car accident caused by a drunk driver, liability might extend to the driver, the establishment that served alcohol, and potentially the vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed to the accident.
Time is Limited
Throughout the legal process, we remain mindful of the statute of limitations for filing wrongful death claims in Florida. We work diligently to ensure that all necessary legal actions are taken within the required timeframe, preserving your right to seek justice for your loved one.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we're committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive legal representation during this difficult time. We understand that discussing financial matters after a tragic loss can feel uncomfortable.
Still, we believe securing your family's future is important to honoring your loved one's memory. Our team will handle your case with the care and dedication it deserves, fighting tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for your immeasurable loss.
Where Do Wrongful Death Cases Occur in Tampa?
As Tampa wrongful death lawyers with extensive experience, we've observed that fatal accidents can happen in many locations throughout our city. Understanding where these tragic incidents commonly occur can help raise awareness and potentially prevent future losses.
Tampa's busy roadways, including the Veterans Expressway and the Selmon Expressway, see a significant number of fatal car and motorcycle accidents. The streets around the University of South Florida campus area can also be sites of tragic pedestrian fatalities.
It's important to remember that wrongful death can occur anywhere in Tampa. If you've lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, regardless of where it happened, the team at Hancock Injury Attorneys is here to help. We're familiar with the diverse circumstances that can lead to these tragic events and are prepared to advocate for your family's rights.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we assist families affected by several types of wrongful death incidents in Tampa and throughout Florida. This includes fatalities resulting from car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and construction accidents.
Our team is prepared to support your family's rights and pursue maximum compensation for your losses, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your loved one's passing. We'll conduct a thorough investigation, gather compelling evidence, and construct a strong case on your behalf.
Common Factors in Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases often stem from a range of negligent actions or oversights. Some common factors we encounter include reckless driving behaviors and defective product designs or manufacturing.
The impact of losing a loved one extends far beyond the immediate aftermath. Families often face long-term emotional trauma, financial instability, and significant life changes. Our Tampa attorneys work closely with grief counselors and financial experts to fully comprehend the extent of your loss. This comprehensive approach ensures we seek fair compensation for all the ways your family has been affected.
Dealing with Insurance Companies in Wrongful Death Cases
Following the loss of a loved one, you may need to interact with several insurance companies, including those representing the at-fault party. These interactions can be challenging, as insurance providers often employ strategies to minimize their payouts.
Insurance representatives might pressure you to accept a quick settlement that doesn't fully account for your long-term losses. They may attempt to downplay the impact of your loved one's passing or shift blame to reduce their financial responsibility.
Having a knowledgeable Tampa wrongful death lawyer can provide balance when dealing with insurance companies. At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we're familiar with these tactics and know how to counteract them effectively. We'll manage all communication with insurers on your behalf, protecting your rights and preventing any statements that can potentially harm your case.
What to Do After Losing a Loved One to Wrongful Death
If you've lost a family member due to someone else's negligence in Tampa, you're likely overwhelmed with grief and unsure of what steps to take. While nothing can undo this tragedy, there are actions you can take to protect your family's rights and build a strong wrongful death case:
Preserve Important Documents
Gather all documents related to your loved one's passing. This includes the death certificate, medical records, accident reports, and any correspondence with insurance companies. These documents will be valuable in establishing your claim.
Track Financial Losses
Keep a record of all expenses related to your loved one's death, including funeral costs, medical bills, and any loss of income your family has experienced. This information will help calculate your family's economic damages.
Refrain from Discussing the Case Publicly
Be cautious about sharing details of the incident or your legal plans on social media or with individuals outside your immediate family. Insurance companies may monitor these communications and use them to challenge your claim.
Seek Emotional Support
Consider joining a grief support group or speaking with a counselor. Not only will this help you process your loss, but it can also provide documentation of the emotional impact on your family.
Bring All Information to Hancock Injury Attorneys
Bring all collected information to our law firm. At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we have the knowledge to use this evidence effectively in building your case. Our team will review all documentation to construct a comprehensive claim that accurately reflects your family's losses.
By bringing this information to us, you enable us to start working on your case immediately. Swift action allows us to secure evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and prevent potentially harmful interactions with insurance companies.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we're committed to advocating for your family's rights and securing the compensation you deserve. By taking these steps and entrusting your case to our experienced team, you're giving your family the best possible chance at a favorable outcome in your wrongful death case.
Contact a Tampa Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
If you've lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence in Tampa, don't delay in seeking legal guidance. Prompt consultation with a qualified Tampa personal injury attorney enhances your family's prospects for obtaining full and fair compensation.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we're devoted to supporting families affected by wrongful death throughout Tampa and surrounding areas. Our team will handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the circumstances of your loved one's passing and collecting evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, presenting your case in court.
Don't face the aftermath of a wrongful death alone. Contact Hancock Injury Attorneys today for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. We'll examine your case, address your questions, and outline your legal options.
Dial (813) 915-1110 or complete our online form to arrange your free case evaluation. Allow our experienced Tampa wrongful death lawyers to guide your family toward healing and justice.