Panama City Wrongful Death Lawyers

Contact Our Advocates at Syfrett, Dykes & Furr

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another person or institution, you are likely grappling with grief and disbelief. In many circumstances, those left behind in the wake of these tragedies are also facing a number of financial uncertainties. While no amount of money can reverse what happened, loved ones of the deceased do deserve consideration for the instability they are now exposed to after the loss of the accident victim.

At Syfrett, Dykes & Furr, our legal team has more 100 years of combined legal experience. Over that time, we have helped countless accident victims, injured workers, and bereaved families recover the relief they deserve following the wrongdoing of other parties. If you have lost a loved one in an accident that was not their fault, our compassionate Panama City wrongful death attorneys are ready to help you explore your legal options.

Our firm is ready to stand with you during this difficult time. Contact our offices today to request a free case evaluation.

How Wrongful Death Claims Work

Wrongful death cases in Florida are governed by the Florida Wrongful Death Act. There are many things that are unique about a wrongful death action. First, the person who becomes the Personal Representative (PR) of the Estate is the proper party to bring the action. The PR is charged with recovering all the damages that are properly due to the estate of the person who has died.

Second, any action for wrongful death in Florida must be filed no later than two years from the date of death. This is governed by Florida Statute 95.11(4)(b). This is another unique characteristic of the Florida Wrongful Death Act because in a typical negligence claim you have 4 years from the date of the injury to file suit.

Next, when the PR files the complaint in the appropriate court, the complaint must specify all the potential beneficiaries of the Estate. The PR will also seek to recover any net accumulations that the deceased person’s estate would otherwise have accumulated had the person lived their natural life expectancy.

Auto Accident Death Claims

There are several other issues that arise in a wrongful death case. One, if the death arises from a traffic crash, then the agency that works the crash (sometimes the Florida Highway Patrol) will also perform a Traffic Homicide Investigation (THI). The THI provides a wealth of information on the case regarding exactly how the crash occurred, witness statements, calculations for the dynamics of the crash, pictures of the vehicles, scene, and generally much greater detail is provided in the THI report than you would find in a normal crash report. Obtaining the THI and all associated documents is the first order of business in the investigation and eventual filing of a claim for wrongful death in Florida.

Client Testimonial

If you would like to speak with someone who has handled this unique type of litigation before and who understands the Florida Wrongful Death Act, we would be honored to discuss your case with you in a personal confidential environment.

Call (850) 795-4979 today to speak with our team. We are ready to help your family take action.