How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Suit in Florida?

Every year, unintentional injuries make the list of leading causes of death across the United States. While it’s never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, losing a family member to some kind of preventable accident is especially hard. Unfortunately, this is the devastating reality that hundreds of thousands of families face annually.

If your loved one died because another party failed to act with reasonable care, your family probably has grounds for legal action. Since there are strict filing deadlines, however, you’re going to want to get your case underway as soon as possible.

In Florida, the standard statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is two years. While there are a few exceptions to this law, it generally means families have two years from the date on which the victim passed to take the liable party to court.

Should you bring your case to trial after the deadline, the judge will probably dismiss it. This, in turn, will leave you with no other avenues of compensation.

Two years might seem like a lot of time, but it’s going to pass quickly. It’s also worth noting that critical evidence may be time-sensitive, so the sooner you start building your claim, the better.

How Likely Is It That My Wrongful Death Suit Will Go to Court?

Navigating complex legal proceedings is undoubtedly the last thing you want to do when grieving the death of a loved one. As such, you may be wondering if it’s worth taking action at all.

Fortunately, most legitimate wrongful death claims are settled. As long as they’re supported by lots of compelling evidence, the opposing party is usually inclined to negotiate. It’s only when a dispute arises and arriving at an agreement proves impossible that a case ends up going to trial.

While settling a wrongful death claim isn’t exactly easy, it’s not nearly as challenging as guiding a case through court. Moreover, you don’t have to go it alone if you enlist legal help.

Should you turn to a resourceful attorney, you can essentially hand over the reins. This will free you up to focus on taking care of your family while your claim proceeds in capable hands.

Put another way, if you have grounds for a claim, it’s almost always worth filing one, especially if you hire a lawyer. Your family has been through enough, and you shouldn’t have to stress about your financial security on top of everything else. What’s more, as long as you have help from an attorney, you won’t have to take on too many of the burdensome tasks that come with filing a claim or, if the case may be, going to trial.

Speak with a West Palm Beach Wrongful Death Attorney

At Donaldson & Weston, we know no amount of money can fill the void left in the wake of your loved one’s death; however, we also know your family’s financial security may be in jeopardy, and we want to help protect it. If you enlist our help, we’ll use all the resources at our disposal to seek the compensation you deserve. Call 561-299-3999 or submit our Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a compassionate wrongful death lawyer in West Palm Beach.