Fort Pierce Wrongful Death Lawyers

When a person dies unexpectedly, surviving family members are often left searching for answers. What caused my loved one's death? Who is responsible? How will I afford the loss of income, medical bills, and funeral costs? The Fort Pierce wrongful death attorneys at Donaldson & Weston can help you answer these questions, identify all liable parties, and pursue the compensation that your family needs to recover financially.

We are compassionate with each of our clients yet relentless against those who have harmed them. Our injury lawyers provide tenacious and aggressive representation in personal injury and wrongful death cases in Fort Pierce and throughout Florida. Set up a free initial consultation today by calling 772-266-5555.

Florida law defines wrongful death as the death of a person due to a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract or warranty, or default. Wrongful death claims can be brought against individuals, business establishments, and/or government entities depending on who was liable for the death.

From identifying the liable parties to gathering evidence to tracking your damages, there’s a lot to do if you intend to bring a wrongful death claim. The Fort Pierce wrongful death attorneys at Donaldson & Weston can take care of these tasks so you can focus on your family’s wellbeing. We handle the following types of wrongful death claims:

• Wrongful death due to car accidents


• Wrongful death due to motorcycle crashes


• Wrongful death due to commercial truck wrecks


• Wrongful death due to bicycle crashes


• Wrongful death due to boating accidents


• Wrongful death due to workplace accidents


• Premises liability wrongful death cases;


• Wrongful death due to pharmacy errors


• Wrongful death due to nursing home neglect or abuse and


• Wrongful death due to elder abuse

A wrongful death case can last one month, several months, or more than a year. There are many factors that affect the duration of the proceedings. The Fort Pierce wrongful death lawyers at Donaldson & Weston will do everything in their power to resolve your case in the shortest possible amount of time. We understand that surviving family members often need financial support, and we will aggressively help you fight to secure a fair settlement early in the proceedings.

If it is obvious that the defendant was at fault for your loved one's death and there is plenty of evidence available to prove liability, the proceedings might only last one to three months. If we have to file a lawsuit, it may take several months and possibly more than a year to go to trial.

If the defendant is facing a criminal case and requests to stay the civil case, this could lengthen the duration of your case. A delay may also occur due to an expert witness's scheduling conflicts. Most wrongful death cases are resolved within 18 months, but when liability is obvious, a settlement is often reached within three months.

Many people underestimate the financial impact of losing a loved one until they experience such a tragedy firsthand. If the deceased was a primary income-earner for your family, you might be struggling to pay essential bills. Even if you’re able to make ends meet, you may be facing an uncertain financial future.

If you intend to bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party, there are steps you should take right away and over the coming weeks and months to protect your case. One of our Fort Pierce wrongful death attorneys can explain these steps during your free initial consultation. The advice we provide will be tailored to the specific facts of your situation, but generally speaking, the following tips might put you in a better position to file a successful claim:

• Consult a Wrongful Death Lawyer Immediately: We put this tip at the top of the list for a reason; the sooner you consult an attorney, the sooner you’ll get the guidance you need to make informed decisions. Our lawyers can help you avoid mistakes early in the claims process that would lead to complicated disputes down the road. Also, important evidence might not be available indefinitely. Our attorneys will get to work right away to compile all relevant documentation, video footage, and other evidence that might contribute to the strength of your claim.


• Don’t Provide Recorded Statements: Another reason to enlist the help of a wrongful death lawyer is so you don’t have to speak to the insurance company. You might be asked questions by the insurer that are intended to elicit a response that can be used to dispute your claim. Our attorneys won’t fall for such tactics; we’ll make sure the insurance company knows that you intend to be fully compensated for your damages, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you fight for the highest settlement possible.


• Keep Evidence of Damages: If you don’t have strong evidence to prove damages, the insurance company might be less cooperative. Keep any invoices and receipts related to the costs you incur as a result of the death, and write a daily journal about how the loss is impacting your life and general wellbeing.


• Stay off Social Media: This is a tough suggestion to follow, but it’s absolutely critical if you want to give your claim the best possible chance of resulting in a fair settlement. Insurance adjusters are well aware that surviving family members often post details about their wrongful death case online. Such posts might include statements that can be used to dispute liability or damages. For instance, if you discuss what your loved one was doing just before the fatal accident, and those statements indicate that his or her own negligence was a contributing factor, the insurance adjuster might use those posts to dispute liability. As tempting as it may be to use social media to keep loved ones informed, it’s wiser to contact them via phone, text, or email.