The loss of a loved one is an immeasurable tragedy, and when the loss results from someone else’s negligence or misconduct, the pain can be compounded by feelings of injustice. In Florida, there’s a law that understands how losing a family member can hurt a family. It gives families a way to ask for money through wrongful death claims. This isn’t about replacing the person they lost, but it can help with money troubles and make it feel like there’s some fairness in what happened. The information below will talk about the different kinds of financial assistance families can get in these types of cases in Florida. These tips aim to help with the several options that may be available when a family might be hurting after losing someone.
Funeral and Burial Expenses
One of the most immediate financial burdens families face following a wrongful death is the cost of funeral and burial services. Florida law allows families to recover these expenses as part of a wrongful death claim. This compensation aims to alleviate the financial strain of arranging a funeral and burial, enabling families to honor their loved one’s memory without the added stress of unmanageable costs.
Loss of Support and Services
The impact of losing a family member extends far beyond the immediate emotional toll; it can also significantly disrupt the household’s functioning and financial stability. To address this, Florida’s wrongful death statute permits families to obtain compensation for the loss of support and services previously provided by the deceased. This includes not only the loss of the deceased’s income but also the value of the services they contributed to the family, such as childcare, household chores, and other day-to-day activities. Calculating this type of compensation involves considering the deceased’s probable net income available for distribution to survivors and the replacement value of the deceased’s services to the household.
Loss of Companionship and Protection
The emotional losses suffered by the surviving family members are recognized under Florida law, which allows for compensation for the loss of companionship, comfort, and protection. This aspect of wrongful death compensation acknowledges the profound emotional and psychological impact of losing a loved one. Spouses may recover for the loss of marital companionship and affection, while children of minor age (and all children if there is no surviving spouse) can obtain compensation for the loss of parental companionship, guidance, and instruction.
Mental Pain and Suffering
In addition to the loss of companionship, Florida law permits surviving family members to seek compensation for mental pain and anguish from the date of injury. This recognizes how hard it is to deal with the emotional pain that comes from losing a family member in a tragic way. When parents lose a child, or when kids lose a parent, sadness can be overwhelming. There’s a type of help available that aims to ease this emotional burden, offering support to those going through such tough times.
In Florida, if someone’s family member dies because of someone else’s mistake, the law lets the family get money for their loss. This isn’t just about paying for the funeral or burial. It also covers the money the person would have earned, the help and friendship they gave, and the family’s emotional pain. Even though money can’t bring the person back, it helps the family deal with their loss and start to move on. The law in Florida tries to make things a bit easier for families going through such a tough time.
