In the aftermath of a loved one’s death, people struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together. This can be extraordinarily difficult, whether it is a surviving spouse left to raise the children without a partner, a child who will now grow up without the guidance and support of a parent or any person who must adjust to the loss of someone they depended on.
Sadly, there is no quick or easy way to get through such a difficult time. However, there are ways that survivors can ease some of the emotional and financial stress they are experiencing by filing a civil claim against the party responsible for a fatal accident. It is important, however, that people not wait too long to explore their legal options.
In the event that you have lost a loved one due to negligence or intentionally dangerous behaviors of others, you may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. However, there are laws that dictate how long you have to file these types of claims.
In accordance with the Florida Wrongful Death Act, eligible survivors have two years to file a legal claim. While this may sound like a long time, it can go by much more quickly than you may think.
After losing a loved one, you will likely have many obligations and responsibilities to tend to right away, from planning a funeral and administering the decedent’s estate to potentially selling a family home and seeking help with child care. It can all be incredibly overwhelming.
Waiting for things to calm down before talking to an attorney may seem like a good idea, but if you wait too long, you may not longer be eligible to file a claim. If you cannot file a claim, you cannot collect the compensation for all the economic and non-economic damages suffered as a result of your loved one’s death and the party responsible for the death may escape liability. In order to avoid these consequences, it can be crucial to speak with an attorney sooner, rather than later.
